HOW TO APPLY

AMIGOS gives you an exciting chance to have an adventure and explore the world outside of a classroom. You will live in a new country with a host family and work on sustainable community service projects. These experiences prepare you for your future, improve your Spanish, and build your confidence. You develop leadership skills that will set you apart in college and throughout your career. With AMIGOS, you will learn about the world by living in it.  Click here to explore our Summer Programs.

 

READY TO APPLY?

The deadline to apply to the local Kansas City Chapter of AMIGOS has passed. We are still accepting applications through our National Chapter! You can learn more about the National Chapter here.

 

CONTACT

If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact the Kansas City Chapter, via email at [email protected].

ABOUT

The AMIGOS Kansas City Chapter is part of a 13 Chapter Network that recruits, trains, and supports AMIGOS volunteers and families in their local community. Volunteers from the Greater Kansas City Metro area train together as a group before leaving for their summer experience in Latin America. Our board supports volunteers and families with group fundraising, service learning, community building, and overall preparation. Learn more about our Summer Programs here!

 

HISTORY

Since the Kansas City Chapter’s incorporation in 1972, over 500 youth from Kansas City and its suburbs have volunteered through the chapter path, fundraising and training locally before the summer.

 

CURRENT VOLUNTEERS

Kansas City Chapter volunteers attend Bishop Miege, Blue Valley, Blue Valley North, Colorado College, Cornell College, Lincoln College Prep, Pembroke, Rockhurst, Shawnee Mission East, Shawnee Mission North, Shawnee Mission South, St. Theresa’s Academy, The Barstow School, and many more!

FEES & FUNDING

The family fee to participate in an AMIGOS Summer Program in the Kansas City Chapter varies by project.* Please see the Fees section to the right to review 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. All volunteers 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.

 

LETTER WRITING/DONOR CONTACTS

Each volunteer 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 volunteer with considerable help provided by the chapter during the process.

To see some of our fundraising efforts from last year, check out our Summer 2022 CauseVox Campaign here.

 

ADDITIONAL FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

All alumni interested in volunteering again with AMIGOS qualify to apply for the Alumni Award.

FEES

Non-Refundable Application Fee: $50

Summer program family fees vary by project length:

  • 2-week projects: $3,175
  • 3-week projects: $4,375
  • 4-week projects: $4,675
  • 6-week projects: $4,875

*Flight costs are not included. Learn more about airfare and travel support here.

 

FEES INCLUDE

  • Training materials and workshops
  • 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

Click here for more information about our Fees & Funding.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

AMIGOS actively recruits and supports inclusion of volunteers from diverse backgrounds. AMIGOS provides need-based financial assistance with distribution determined by family income, number of dependents, and special financial circumstances. We provide amounts of $500–$3,000 to qualified applicants as deductions on the family fee.

TRAINING

The transformative AMIGOS experience starts before leaving home.

With over 55 years of experience preparing young people for travel and service abroad, AMIGOS training offers unparalleled global youth leadership development. Pre-departure training equips volunteers 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 volunteers for their AMIGOS experience, builds a community of youth and families with shared values, and develops life-skills to help students 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. Volunteers 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. Volunteers 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

TRAINING CALENDAR

  • Sunday, April 2nd from 1-4 PM at Holmeswood Church – Volunteers and Parents
  • Wednesday, April 12th from 7-8 PM on Zoom – Volunteers
  • Sunday, April 23rd from 8 AM-4 PM at William Jewel – Volunteers
  • TBD – Sunday, May 7th from 1-3 PM at Holmeswood Church – Volunteers and Parents
  • Monday, June 5th – Despedida
  • Monday, August 21st – Welcome Home Party

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Kent Erickson
President
[email protected]
913-526-7396
Tricia Wilson
Treasurer
[email protected]
Becca Wing-Moreno
Vice President and Training Coordinator
[email protected]
Taylor Hill
Secretary
Mary Becker
Fundraising
Kathleen Coode
Financial Assistance Coordinator
Carol Swezy
Co-Recruitment Coordinator
[email protected]
Stevie Spickler
Co-Recruitment Coordinator
[email protected]
Jerome Riscovallez
Parent Coordinator
Olivia Riscovallez
Parent Coordinator
Jordan Holsinger
HQ Point of Contact

TESTIMONIALS