What is AMIGOS?
The
Tucson Chapter is one of about 27 chapters across the U.S. and Latin
America affiliated with
Amigos de las Américas
(AMIGOS), a 501(c)(3) not-for profit, non-governmental, non-religious,
volunteer-driven international organization.
More than 20,000 students have
served as AMIGOS volunteers since the organization's founding in 1965.
In fact, AMIGOS is celebrating FORTY years of service this year!
AMIGOS empowers
youth to take leadership roles in planning programs, facilitating
community involvement and inspiring local youth to be active in
community services. AMIGOS volunteers learn to make mature
decisions and build relationships that enhance their effectiveness and
personal development. Outstanding volunteers climb the
"leadership ladder" by continuing their involvement and serving as
Latin American project staff, trainers, and board members.
"The
challenges of our world tomorrow...
require that we invest in our future leaders today."
AMIGOS fosters partnerships
throughout the Americas
AMIGOS unites young people from
different cultures and countries, adult volunteers and mentors,
and a wide range of organizations to promote community service and
betterment.
AMIGOS
trains youth to be community leaders
AMIGOS trains young people to meet the challenges of planning and
conducting community service programs with confidence and cultural
sensitivity, both in their home communities and in Latin America.
Training includes topics such as Spanish/Portuguese, community
assessment approaches, interpersonal communication, Latin American
history and culture, medical self-care, and technical training
about specific sustainable development programs.
AMIGOS
encourages youth leadership
Teams of 2 - 3 volunteers live and work in rural Latin American
communities for up to eight weeks. Working in collaboration with
development agencies and community members, volunteers have
leadership roles in carrying out health, education, and
environmental programs, ranging from latrine construction to
formation of youth groups to teaching HIV prevention and dental
hygiene.
AMIGOS
promotes youth empowerment
A leadership ladder enables AMIGOS volunteers to gain ever greater
degrees of responsibility and management experience when they
return for successive summers. All AMIGOS projects in Latin
America are managed by young adults who are former AMIGOS
volunteers ("veterans"). Veteran volunteers are encouraged to
train and mentor new volunteers and to serve on the AMIGOS
International Board of Directors and local chapter boards.
AMIGOS
supports diversity
AMIGOS provides equal opportunity to qualified individuals
regardless of race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual
orientation, or gender.
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Tucson Chapter
