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, develop your leadership, improve your Spanish, and build your confidence. You develop 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 2020 Summer Programs.
Ready to start your application?
1. Click here to start your application. Make sure to select that you are applying for the Houston Chapter.
2. Complete your application and pay your $50 application fee. If you are applying for financial assistance, complete the financial assistance section within the application.
3. Complete an interview (details below).
APPLICATION DEADLINES
December 9th: Deadline to participate in spring training
April 7th: Final Deadline
INTERVIEW DAYS
Rolling interviews available by request.
Once you apply, we will be in touch to arrange an in-person interview. If you are unable to attend a scheduled interview session, additional options are available.
CONTACT
If you have questions or would like more information, please contact Liz Morgan.
ABOUT
The AMIGOS Houston Chapter is part of a 25 Chapter Network that recruits, trains, and supports AMIGOS volunteers and families in their local community. Volunteers from around Houston 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.
If you want to be a part of this amazing experience, but are concerned about time constraints in the spring, AMIGOS Houston offers a late deadline of April 7, 2020 for those who would like to participate in summer training the 4 days prior to their summer project.
Houston Volunteers Attend:
Awty International • Bellaire • Carnegie Vanguard • Chinquapin Preparatory • Cinco Ranch • Clear Creek • Cristo Rey • Cypress Creek • Cypress Falls • East Early College • Eastwood Academy • Elkins • Elsik • Energized for STEM Academy • Friendswood • Harmony Schools • HSPVA • KIPP Schools • Lamar • Memorial • Debakey Health Professions • Rice University • School of the Woods • Seven Lakes • St. Agnes • St.John’s • St. Thomas • Strake Jesuit • The John Cooper School • Kinkaid • The Village School • Woodlands College Park • Xavier Academy • YES Prep Schools
FEES & FUNDING
The Houston Chapter covers 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. Volunteers receive considerable help with regard to fundraising strategies, and the experience gained in this effort will build important skills!
LETTER WRITING FUNDRAISING CAMPAIGN
Each volunteer is required to send out 100 letters to family, friends, and other personal contacts 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. Volunteers may opt out of fundraising by paying the full family fee of $4250 and fundraising goal of $2500 out of pocket.
Additional funding opportunities
All alumni interested in volunteering again with AMIGOS qualify to apply for the Alumni Award. More info here.
If you would like to apply for financial assistance, the deadline is November 4th.
HOW CAN I HELP?
Randalls Food Market is in partnership with the Houston Chapter of Amigos de las Americas through its Good Neighbor Program. You can designate the organization by linking our account number (#1447) to your Remarkable Card. To do this, simply ask a cashier how to do it (you may be referred to the Courtesy Booth). It’s fast and easy, and just a one-time effort that will pay continuous dividends to our chapter.
Shopping on Amazon? Use this Amazon Smile link and a portion of each purchase will go back to AMIGOS Houston Chapter!
Fees
Application Fee: $50
Family Fee: $4,250
Fundraising Goal: $2,500
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
- Participants pay their family fees beginning December 2019. The fee must be paid by April 2020.
- Fees can be paid online or by mail.
- Payment plans are available.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
The Houston Chapter of AMIGOS is dedicated to supporting the inclusion of students from diverse backgrounds. Each year, about 25% of volunteers receive financial assistance ranging from $500 to $3,800.
We provide need-based financial assistance with distribution determined by family income, number of dependents, and special financial circumstances. Qualified applicants are selected and received assistance as deductions on family fee payments.
To apply for financial assistance, complete the AMIGOS application by clicking here. Award announcements are distributed and announced on a rolling basis.
Please contact houston@amigosinternational.org with any questions.
FAQ
- Applicants must apply by November 4 to be considered for financial assistance
- Applicants must submit a copy of their family’s 1040 US Tax Form to be considered
- Awards vary. Each year, about 25% of participants receive financial assistance ranging from $500 to $3,800
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 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 Houston Chapter training is youth-led, experiential learning that prepares volunteers for their experiences, builds a community of youth and families with shared values, and develops life-skills to help students succeed beyond AMIGOS.
SERVICE LEARNING
The Houston 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:
- Monthly training sessions, usually Sunday afternoons from 2:00 to 5:30
- One overnight retreat
- Service learning component
- Supplemental Spanish activities
- Four online assessments to determine readiness for the summer
TRAINING CALENDAR
Training begins Spring 2020.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
| Jarrod Ford President President@amigos-houston.org |
Mike Brombacher Vice President Vice-President@amigos-houston.org |
| Lauren Davis Secretary Secretary@amigos-houston.org |
Ron Vlaskamp Treasurer Treasurer@amigos-houston.org |
| Ann Crowley Chapter Office houston@amigosinternational.org |
Liz Morgan Outreach Manager Lmorgan@amigosinternational.org |
| Linda Piland Fundraising Coordinator Fundraising@amigos-houston.org |
Kenneth Schneider At Large |
| Tom Brombacher Hospitality Coordinator |
April Hearne At Large |
| Julie McGuire At Large |
Alessandra Ferrajoli At Large |
| Brenda Rios At Large |
Nadia Valliani At Large |
| Nate Hattersley At Large |
Anil Kapoor At Large |
| Caroline Bybee At Large |
Training Team
| Kelly Vlaskamp Training Director Training@amigos-houston.org |
Hannah Gardner Trainer Training@amigos-houston.org |
Media
A post shared by AMIGOS Houston Chapter (@amigoshouston) on Aug 9, 2017 at 2:13pm PDT
