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 and work on sustainable community service projects while living with a host family. 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.
HOW TO APPLY FOR AMIGOS:
The Chicago North Chapter is no longer accepting applications. However, the National Chapter is still accepting applications!
- Watch the Summer Program Online Information Session. Then, check out the National Chapter page!
- Apply online.
- AMIGOS staff will contact you to schedule your interview.
APPLICATION DEADLINE:
April 7th: Final deadline to join AMIGOS through the National Chapter
ABOUT
The AMIGOS Chicago North Chapter is part of a 25 Chapter Network that recruits, trains, and supports AMIGOS volunteers and families in their local community. Volunteers from the Northern Chicago and surrounding areas train together as a group before leaving for their summer experience in Latin America. Our board supports volunteers with packing, pre-departure immunizations, fundraising, and overall preparation. Our chapter recruits, trains, and supports AMIGOS volunteers and their families. Our chapter accepts volunteers September through December of the fall prior to each summer experience. During the months of January through June, Chicago North Chapter volunteers will take part in local training and fundraising events as they prepare for their AMIGOS experience.
Chicago North VOLUNTEERS ATTEND:
Deerfield • Evanston Township • Glenbrook North • Glenbrook South • Hinsdale Central • Libertyville • Mother McAuley Liberal Arts • New Trier • North Shore Country • Prospect • Stevenson
FEES & FUNDING
The Chicago North Chapter of AMIGOS covers program costs through a combination of family payments and fundraising activities. These include a letter-writing annual fund appeal to friends and family, and a spring fundraiser. We chose these activities to maximize our ability to provide the AMIGOS experience to all volunteers without regard to family financial circumstances. 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 and family, with a minimum of 125 letters/emails being sent out, 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. The fundraising goal is $3,900.
Silent Auction
The Chicago North Chapter will team up with the Chicago Urban Chapter for a joint silent auction. Each volunteer must procure 5–10 auction items and sell 5–10 tickets to the event.
Additional funding opportunities
All alumni interested in volunteering again with AMIGOS qualify to apply for the Alumni Award. More info here.
FEES
Application Fee: $50
Family Fee: $4,250 (payment plan options available)
Group fundraising participation required
FEES INCLUDE
- Round-trip international airfare
- 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.
DUE DATES AND PAYMENT OPTIONS
- Volunteers pay their family fees beginning in December. The fee must be paid by May 15, 2020.
- Fees can be paid online or by mail.
- Payment plans are available.
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–$2,750 to qualified applicants as deductions on the family fee. Financial assistance applications have a rolling deadline. Please contact the Chicago North Chapter Treasurer for additional information.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE DEADLINE
Rolling Deadline
Awards are in the range of $500 to $2,750. Volunteers and their parents should work to complete the Financial Assistance Application located on their Dashboard. The application requests family financial information, such as last year’s 1040 form, special circumstance, number of dependents, etc. Please contact the Chapter Co-Presidents if you have any questions.
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 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 Chicago North 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, Chicago North Chapter Board of Directors and guest speakers from the 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
March 8
Training Session 10:00 AM–3:30 PM
Volunteers will join the Parent Meeting from 3:30 PM-4:00PM
Parent Meeting 2:00 PM–4:00 PM
The Hatchery Chicago
135 N Kedzie Ave, Chicago, IL 60612
April 19
Spanish Retreat 10:00 AM–3:00 PM
North Shore Country Day School
310 Green Bay Rd, Winnetka, IL 60093
(Auction items or corporate sponsorship valuing at least $500 are due.)
May 9
Silent Auction and Benefit!
Volunteers are required to attend 4:00 PM–10:00 PM.
National Museum of Mexican Art
1852 W 19th St, Chicago, IL 60608
May 17
Training Session 10:00 AM–2:00 PM
Volunteers will joint the Parent Meeting from 2:00 PM-4:00PM
Parent Meeting 2:00 PM–4:00 PM
The Hatchery Chicago
135 N Kedzie Ave, Chicago, IL 60612
June – Despedida/Going Away Party
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
More information about the Board and Training Team can be found by clicking on each name.
| Kay Wilson Co-President president@amigos-chicagonorth.org | Amanda Holme Co-President president@amigos-chicagonorth.org | Doug Graham Treasurer treasurer@amigos-chicagonorth.org |
| Lauren Antosz Recruitment Coordinator recruitment@amigos-chicagonorth.org | Caroline Holme Secretary secretary@amigos-chicagonorth.org | Tanja Chevalier Parent Coordinator parent-coordinator@amigos-chicagonorth.org |
| Melissa Hogan Paperwork Coordinator paperwork@amigos-chicagonorth.org | Tony Diaz Social Media Coordinator |
Training Team
| Riley Dow Training Director training@amigos-chicagonorth.org | Chapin Low Training Director training@amigos-chicagonorth.org |