ABOUT
AMIGOS is a leader in international youth development, creating a world in which young people realize their full potential as leaders and global citizens. We provide extraordinary opportunities for youth to design and lead projects in collaboration with US and Latin American peers and partner organizations across the Americas. Our strong partner network, built over 50 years, enables authentic engagements in communities across the region.
The AMIGOS Kansas City Chapter recruits, trains, and supports AMIGOS participants and their families from the Greater Kansas City Metro area- serving both Kansas City and Missouri. Our chapter accepts participants September through October of the fall prior to each summer experience. During the months of October through June, Kansas City Chapter participants will take part in local training and fundraising events as they prepare for their AMIGOS experience.
Join us for Fiesta!
On Sunday, April 29th, AMIGOS Kansas City is hosting a Fiesta “Friendraiser” to thank our local community for your support over the last 50 years. Please join us in celebrating our community and supporting our next cohort of local high school students participating in a summer of service in Latin America! Details below.
When: Sunday, April 29th
Where: Holmeswood Baptist Church
What: Lunch and live raffle
Tickets: Option to give a free will donation upon entry.
Raffle tickets will be sold for $5 each. Prizes include:
- 4 Dugout Plaza Royals tickets and parking pass for June 3 game.
- $100 McGonigles Market gift card
- $100 Room 39 gift card
- $100 Visa gift card
There will also be raffle tickets sold 3 for $5! You can choose which prizes you are interested in taking a chance to win, such as:
- local restaurant gift cards
- purse
- car washes for one year
TRAINING
The transformative AMIGOS experience starts before leaving home.
With 50 years of experience preparing young people for travel and service abroad, AMIGOS training offers unparalleled global youth leadership development. Pre-departure training equips participants with the critical thinking, communication skills, and technical knowledge they need to make a meaningful impact across cultures while staying healthy and safe. The Kansas City Chapter AMIGOS training is youth-led, experiential learning that prepares participants for their AMIGOS experience, builds a community of youth and families with shared values, and develops life-skills to help participants succeed beyond AMIGOS. Training sessions are facilitated by the Training Team and include guest speakers from the community and the Kansas City Chapter Board of Directors..
SERVICE LEARNING
The Kansas City Chapter incorporates service-learning into the AMIGOS training to add depth and first-hand experience to the curriculum. Service‐learning is a teaching and learning strategy that integrates meaningful community service with instruction and reflection to enrich the learning experience, teach civic responsibility and strengthen communities. Participants will self identify and propose a “community based initiative” or CBI to serve the local area. Projects have ranged from tutoring, establishing a dance camp, setting up a blood drive, clean-up events or a special event held for a children’s home. Participants are able to learn the challenges of setting up a CBI while giving back to the local community.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE TRAINING PROGRAM INCLUDE:
- Unparalleled leadership development
- Cross-cultural awareness and understanding
- Hands-on training for technical aspects of the program
- Extensive health and safety training
- Opportunities to practice Spanish
- Creating a community of young people with shared values
THE TIME COMMITMENT FOR TRAINING ACTIVITIES INCLUDES:
- 35 hours of training on Sunday afternoons, beginning January 7, 2018
- Monthly parent training/information sessions
- One full day spring retreat
- Service learning requirements
- Four online assessments to determine readiness for the summer
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Amy Schuman, President President@amigos-kansascity.org
Carol Swezy, Recruitment Recruitment@amigos-kansascity.org 913-522-8891
Tricia Wilson, Treasurer Treasurer@amigos-kansascity.org
Katherine Stevenson, Fundraising fundraising@amigos-kansascity.org
Laura Mombello, Paperwork Paperwork@amigos-kansascity.org
HOW TO APPLY
PRICING
PRICING
The Kansas City Chapter covers AMIGOS program costs through a combination of family payments and fundraising activities. This approach allows us to keep costs to families low while teaching valuable fundraising and community outreach skills.
Family Fee: $4,000 (Payment plans available)
Application Fee: $50 (Non-refundable and not included in the Family Fee.)
Group Fundraising is required
FEES INCLUDES
- Training materials and workshops
- Round-trip international airfare
- Secondary short-term international medical insurance
- Program excursions
- Food, lodging, and transportation in Latin America
- Supplies for community project and extracurricular activities
- 24-hour On Call Emergency Management System
- Travel hotline and support
FEES DO NOT INCLUDE
- Immunizations and pre-travel medical examinations
- Passport/visa fees
DUE DATES AND PAYMENT OPTIONS
- Participants pay their family fees beginning December 15, 2017. The fee must be paid by April 15, 2018.
- Fees can be paid online or by mail. Payment plans are available.
Pricing At-A-Glance
Family Fee: $4,000
Application Fee: $50
*Round-trip international airfare included
FINANCIAL AID
AMIGOS actively recruits and supports inclusion of participants from diverse backgrounds. AMIGOS provides needs-based financial assistance with distribution determined by family income, number of dependents and special financial circumstances. We provide funds to qualified applicants as deductions on the family fee. Financial assistance applications are due on December 1, 2016. Please contact your Chapter President for additional information. In addition, participants who are returning for an additional summer receive a discount.
FUNDRAISING
All participants are required to fully take part in each fundraising activity as fundraising skills are an important component of AMIGOS training program and raise awareness of AMIGOS programs in the community. The Kansas City Chapter participates in a combination of fruit sales, letter writing, and a Mexican Dinner.
LETTER WRITING/DONOR CONTACTS
Each participant is required to send out a combination of letters and emails to friends, family and supporters to request individual tax-deductible donations(the revenue from this effort is pooled). Letters are written by the participant with considerable help provided by the chapter during the process.
CALENDAR
Sunday, January 7, 2-5 pm
Welcome/Orientation
Country Expo
WITH PARENTS
Sunday, January 21, 1-5 pm
Training
Sunday, February 4, 1-5 pm
Training
Sunday, February 25, 1-5 pm
Training
Health and Safety
WITH PARENTS
Sunday, March 4, 1-5 pm
Training
Saturday, March 24 (2pm) – Sunday, March 25 (8am)
Overnight Retreat/Virtual Village
Sunday, April 15, 1-5 pm
Training
Sunday, April 29, 8:30 am – 1:30 pm
AMIGOS FIESTA
Sunday, May 6, 1-5 pm
Training
Packing
WITH PARENTS
Sunday, June 3, 3-5 pm
DESPEDIDA Party
Sunday, July TBD
PARENT letter reading party
Sunday, August TBD, 3-5 pm
Welcome Home Party
All meetings held at Holmeswood Baptist Church
9700 Holmes Rd.
unless otherwise indicated
6 hours of community service at the Johnson
County Public Library are required (various
Saturdays)
