HOW TO APPLY
How to apply:
We are excited to announce that AMIGOS will be offering in-person projects in Latin America and the United States during Summer 2021! Check out our summer projects here!
If you were a volunteer in 2020, we invite you to complete your application here. Once you complete your application, we will connect you directly to your Local Chapter with next steps! All fees, fundraising, and financial assistance from 2020 will carry over to this year, and your price from 2020 is locked in!
If you are a new volunteer who was not signed up for an AMIGOS program in 2020, you will be applying through our National Chapter. Once you complete your application, you will receive an email from our Admissions team outlining next steps! Learn more about the National Chapter here.
ABOUT
The AMIGOS New York City Chapter is part of a 25 Chapter Network that recruits, trains, and supports AMIGOS volunteers and families in their local community. Volunteers from the Tristate area 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 participants and their families from the Tri-State Area. Due to restrictions related to COVID-19, any new volunteers from the Tri-State area applying to 2021 programs should apply through the AMIGOS National Chapter.
PROFESSIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
The New York City Chapter of Amigos de las Américas is currently looking to fill volunteer board member positions. If you’re looking to join a wonderful organization that is dedicated to provided leadership opportunities to youth in the New York City area please feel free to browse these descriptions and contact president@amigosnyc.org to share your interest or request additional information.
NYC Volunteers Attend:
Bard High School Early College • Bayside • Bergen County Academies • Bronx High School of Science • Brooklyn Technical • Convent of the Sacred Heart • Edgemont • Ethical Culture Fieldston • Fairfield Ludlowe • Hackley • Hopkins • Horace Greeley • Hunter College • Millburn • Newark Academy • Talent Unlimited •Tenafly • The Berkeley Carroll School • The Brearley School • The Chapin School • The Dalton School • The Dwight School • The Trinity School • United Nations International School • Valley Stream North • Warren Hills Regional
FUNDRAISING
The New York City 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. Buying out of fundraising is an option for all families prior to summer departure if the volunteer does not meet the fundraising minimum, however all families and volunteers are expected to participate in fundraising activities during the winter months. Fundraising activities and resources will be introduced to volunteers during training sessions. Volunteers will receive strategic guidance and support meeting their goals, however the chapter expects that they commit at least an hour to fundraising per week outside of training.
LETTER WRITING/DONOR CONTACTS
Each volunteer is required to send out a combination of 100 letters and 100 emails to friends and family, 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 Chapter uses CauseVox as it’s fundraising platform, and the campaign can be found through this link.
Additional funding opportunities
All alumni interested in volunteering again with AMIGOS qualify to apply for the Alumni Award. More info here.
We offer financial assistance to qualified applicants on a rolling basis. The Financial Assistance Application deadline has passed.
Fees
If you were signed up for our 2020 Summer Immersion programs, all fees, fundraising, and financial assistance from 2020 will carry over this year, and your price from 2020 is locked in!
If you were not signed up for amigos in 2020, click here to see our 2021 programs!
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
For any family reapplying from Summer 2020, Family Financial Agreements will need to be to be resigned.
Reach out to your Local Chapter for specifics about your financial agreement this year.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
AMIGOS actively recruits and supports inclusion of volunteers from diverse backgrounds. AMIGOS provides needs-based financial assistance with distribution determined by family income, number of dependents and special financial circumstances. We provide amounts TBA to qualified applicants as deductions on the family fee. The Financial Assistance Application deadline has passed. Please contact info@amigosnyc.org for additional information.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FAQ
- The Financial Assistance Application deadline has passed.
- Awards vary.
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 New York 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 the New York City Chapter Training Director.
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
Pre–departure training for 2021 programs will be done through a combination of mandatory online modules and optional webinars. Training will also take place in country upon arrival. Once you apply, we will reach out with more information on the pre-departure training timeline and expectations.
Your Local Chapter may offer additional local opportunities to connect virtually with AMIGOS in your area. If you have questions about this, please reach out to chapters@amigosinternational.org.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Sophie Pauze
President
president@amigosnyc.org
Martha Wilkinson
Vice President
Clara Ceccanti
Recruitment Coordinator
recruiting@amigosnyc.org
Daniel Coates
Treasurer
treasurer@amigosnyc.org
Brendan McInerney
Communications & Community Engagement
Members at Large
Lisa Autz
Peyton Dillehay
Jackie Cunningham
Isabelle Chae