Amigos de las Américas inspires and builds young leaders through collaborative community development and cross-cultural experiences in Latin America. The Tucson chapter has successfully trained over 600 participants since 1968 in projects focused on environmental sustainability, public health, and youth leadership. Participants live with host families, collaborate on community projects, and facilitate workshops while gaining leadership skills, confidence, and cultural awareness over the course of their 4-8 week project. Safety is the top priority, and projects involve screening of communities and oversight from experienced local staff.

3. Mission Statement
Amigos de las Américas
inspires and builds young
leaders through collaborative
community development and
cross cultural experiences.

4. AMIGOS History
• Founded in 1965
• 50 years of
experience in
Latin America

5. Tucson Chapter
• Founded in 1968
• One of 26 chapters across the US
• Successfully trained more than 600 participants to date
• Consistently a top tier chapter for participant performance and
satisfaction

6. Project Structure
• Experienced Project Leadership Team
• Partnerships of 2-3 participants
• Participants collaborate with community members and local
partner organizations
• Project theme

7. What do participants do?
• Live with host family
• Collaborate on one (or
more) community led
projects
• Facilitate educational
workshops

8. Participant Safety
Chapter training
Standards of Conduct
Partner system
and in country staff
Living areas
Communties and host
families are screened in
advance
CALM Plan
Flexibility in program if
necessary
Volunteer
Safety is
#1

9. What are the living conditions?
• Host family
• Small to medium sized communities
• Range of rural to urban

10. Project Themes
• Environmental
sustainability
• Youth Entrepreneurship
• Public Health/Nutrition
• Sports and Fitness
• Civic Participation and
Youth Leadership

11. Can I pick my project?
• Select top 3-5 projects
• 12 projects in 8 countries
• 4-8 weeks
• National Office assigns final projects
• Costa Rica
• Ecuador
• Mexico
• Dominican
Republic
• Nicaragua
• Panama
• Paraguay
• Colombia

12. AMIGOS participants gain...
• Leadership and public
speaking skills
• Confidence
• Community development
experience
• Spanish language abilities
• Cultural awareness and
sensitivity
• Opportunities to continue the
AMIGOS experience

13. What is training like?
• January through May
• Every Monday Night, 6:45 to 9:00 p.m.
• 3 Weekend Retreats (Jan/Feb/Apr)
• Parent meetings once per month

14. Who can be an AMIGO?
• 16 years old by December 2017
• Completed sophomore year of high school
• Two years of high school Spanish or equivalent
• Passion and Commitment

15. How much does it cost?
• $2,550 Family Fee*
• Broken into monthly
payments
• $4,100 Fundraising
• Includes chapter
training, travel, food,
lodging, insurance for
the duration of the
project, and project
supplies
*Limited amount of financial aid available.
Deadline to apply for financial aid is October 22nd

16. How does fundraising work?
• Letter writing campaign
• Fundraising events
• Part of training program

17. Stories from past participants

18. A parent’s perspective

19. I’m interested, what
do I do now?

20. Application process
Apply
• Complete Application
• Submit 2 recommendations (Spanish Teacher)
• DUE DATE- October 22, 2016 *
Interview
• Interviews for applicant and parents
• October 26, 27 (in the evening)
• Applicant Spanish interview
Accept
• Notification of acceptance November 5th
• Sign and return Chapter Agreement by Nov. 20th
• Volunteer and Parent Orientation Nov. 20th
*including any/all financial aid paperwork

21. Contact Us
Lucy Weeks, Chapter President
leweeks1@gmail.com
Ariana Garcia, Training Director
armanson@email.arizona.edu
Rebecca O’Brien, Paperwork Coordinator
robrien@rllaz.com
Websites:
https://tucson.amigosinternational.org
www.amigostucson.org

22. Questions?