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 Seattle Chapter recruits, trains, and supports AMIGOS participants and their families from the Puget Sound area. Our chapter accepts participants August through December of the fall/winter prior to each summer experience. During the months of December through June, Seattle Chapter participants will take part in local training and fundraising events as they prepare for their AMIGOS experience.

Click here to read testimonials from former AMIGOS Seattle participants, parents, and Spanish teachers.

Learn more at one of our upcoming info sessions, and sign up for an interview today

 

TRAINING

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 Seattle Chapter training is youth-led, experiential learning that prepares participants for their experiences, builds a community of youth and families with shared values, and develops life-skills to help participants succeed beyond AMIGOS.

SERVICE LEARNING

The Seattle Chapter incorporates service learning 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.

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:
  • Three training sessions, usually Sundays from 10:30 to 4:30  (Jan, Feb, April)
  • Three overnight retreats (January, March, May)
  • Service learning component
  • Supplemental Spanish activities
  • Four online assessments to determine readiness for the summer

 

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Edit
Molly Abbruzzese
President
president@amigos-seattle.org		 Janet Robinson
Treasurer
treasurer@amigos-seattle.org
Lilia Fannin
Fundraising Coordinator
fundraising@amigos-seattle.org		 Abigail Korn
Training Director
training@amigos-seattle.org
Sam Vaux
Assistant Training Director and Recruitment Coordinator
recruitment@amigos-seattle.org		 Karen Bartlett
Paperwork Coordinator
paperwork@amigos-seattle.org
Laura Read
Secretary
info@amigos-seattle.org		 Jennifer Mitcham
Parent Coordinator
parent-coordinator@amigos-seattle.org
Erin Branigan
Training Advisor		 Rachel Blakeslee
Alumni Coordinator
 Anna Colando
Webmaster
webmaster@amigos-seattle.org		 Dr. Edward La Cava
Medical Director
medical-director@amigos-seattle.org

 

Click HERE to learn more about our board of directors

HOW TO APPLY

READY TO START YOUR APPLICATION?

  1. Click here to start your application. Make sure you are applying for the Seattle Chapter
  2. Complete your application and pay your $50 application fee. If you are applying for financial assistance, please get a Financial Assistance application from the chapter at an info session or interview.
  3. Attend an Info Session.
  4. Complete an interview!

 

DEADLINES

 

January 6, 2018: Extended Chapter Application Deadline

 

 

INterview HANDOUT

Hard copy packet available at interview or by request (paperwork@seattle-amigos.org)

PRICING

The Seattle 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 (Financial Assistance and payment plans available. Alumni receive a $750 discount.)

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 May 1, 2018.
  • Fees can be paid online or by mail. Payment plans are available.

FINANCIAL AID

AMIGOS actively recruits and supports inclusion of participants from diverse backgrounds. Last year, 40% of participants received financial aid! AMIGOS provides needs-based financial assistance with distribution determined by family income, number of dependents and special financial circumstances. We provide amounts of 10-90% of the family fee to qualified applicants as deductions on the family fee. Financial assistance applications are due on November 15, 2017. Please contact us at president@amigos-seattle.org for additional information. In addition, participants who are returning for an additional summer receive a $750 discount.

 

FINANCIAL AID DEADLINE November 15

 

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. Participants receive considerable help with regard to fundraising strategies, and the experience gained in this effort will definitely build important skills!   Our group goal is to raise $3000 per participant.

 

LETTER WRITING/DONOR CONTACTS

Each participant is required to send out 100 emails and/or letters to friends and family, 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.

PRODUCT SALES

Seattle Chapter participants also raise funds through the sale of citrus fruits. This effort primarily takes place in November and December for the Holiday season.   Coffee sales are planned for April.

Individual FUNDRAISING

Participants will brainstorm ideas for creative fundraisers within their communities.  Past individual fundraisers have included: rummage sales, bake sales, baby sitting/work-for-donations and fiestas.

CALENDAR

Interviews

 

Sign up for an interview here

 

Application Deadlines

November 5, 2018 – Priority Deadline

December 3, 2018 – Final Deadline

April 9, 2019 – Deadline for National Chapter and Discover AMIGOS

 

Training Calendar

A note to volunteers:
For more detailed calendar information, please reference the Participant Intranet. The document listed under “Resources” called “Your AMIGOS Journey 2019” provides a comprehensive timeline of important dates, deadlines, and tasks to accomplish before you depart this summer.

Training 1 – January 6

Retreat 1 – January 26-27

Training 2 – February 10

Retreat 2 – March 2-3

Retreat 3: April 27-28

Training 3 – May 19

Despedida – June 2

 

 

MEDIA

 VIDEOS

Check out Seattle Chapter’s own – Francesca Tiesi – in Costa Rica!

 

Seattle Chapter volunteer Josh on his travels to Oaxaca, Mexico!