HOW TO JOIN
READY TO APPLY?
The deadline to apply to the local Tucson Chapter of AMIGOS has passed. We are still accepting applications through our National Chapter! You can learn more about the National Chapter here.
CONTACT
If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact [email protected].
ABOUT
The AMIGOS Tucson Chapter is part of a 10 Chapter Network that recruits, trains, and supports AMIGOS volunteers and families in their local community. Volunteers from the Tucson area train together as a group before leaving for their summer experience in Latin America. Our board supports volunteers and families with group fundraising, service learning, community building, and overall preparation. Learn more about our Summer Programs here!
History
Since the Tucson Chapter’s incorporation in 1999, over 600 youth from Tucson and its suburbs have volunteered through the chapter path, fundraising and training locally before the summer.
Current Volunteers
Tucson Chapter volunteers attend Amphitheater, Basis Tucson North, Canyon del Oro, Catalina Foothills, Cienega, Sabino, Salpointe Catholic, Sonoran Science Academy, St. Gregory College Prep, Tucson High Magnet. University High, and many more!
FEES & FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
PROGRAM FEES
The Tucson Chapter is able to offer discounted program fees due to the 100% commitment to fundraising by each family. Please refer to the chart below:
| Length | Country | Tucson Chapter Price
Airfare is included! |
| 2 weeks | Panama | $3,497 |
| 2 weeks | Costa Rica | $3,497 |
| 3 weeks | Panama, Ecuador | $3,497 |
| 3 weeks | Costa Rica | $3,497 |
| 4 weeks | Costa Rica | $3,597 |
| 6 weeks | Ecuador | $3,597 |
| 9 weeks | Costa Rica | $3,697 |
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
AMIGOS actively recruits and supports inclusion of volunteers from diverse backgrounds. AMIGOS Tucson provides need-based financial assistance with distribution determined by family income, number of dependents, and special financial circumstances. We provide amounts of $500–$2,500 to qualified applicants as financial assistance deductions on the program fee.
The Tucson Chapter will waive the $75 application fee for financial assistance applicants. On the application, students should select that they intend to apply for financial assistance. Then, at the end of the application, they should select, “I request a fee waiver”.
Financial assistance applications will be reviewed after the December 5, 2023 priority financial assistance deadline.
ADDITIONAL FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
All alumni interested in volunteering again with AMIGOS qualify to apply for the Alumni Award. We highly encourage you to apply for financial assistance.
RESOURCES:
- All alumni interested in volunteering again with AMIGOS qualify to apply for the Alumni Award.
- To learn more about program fees, check out the Fees and Financial Assistance webpage.
CONTACT:
- Please reach out to the AMIGOS Tucson Treasurer with any questions regarding financial assistance via email at [email protected].
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 Tucson Chapter 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 Director, Senior Staff, and a team of volunteer trainers as well as local speakers from the community.
What does Tucson Chapter training look like?
SERVICE LEARNING
The Tucson Chapter incorporates service learning into the AMIGOS training 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
- Health and safety training
- Opportunities to practice Spanish
- Creating a community of young people with shared values
TRAINING CALENDAR
The Tucson Chapter Welcome Potluck will be December 16th and our Despedida (going away) party will be June 1, 2023.
There will be 2-3 training meetings per month beginning January 9th and ending May 7th. Training will be held in the Highland Commons Building at the University of Arizona.
There will also be two retreats. The first will be an all day Saturday retreat in February. The second will be an overnight camping retreat on April 6-7TH (Saturday morning through Sunday at noon.)
FUNDRAISING
GROUP FUNDRAISING
The cost of supporting an AMIGOS volunteer in Latin America is significant. AMIGOS Tucson provides chapter discounts, offers financial assistance, and covers local program costs through fundraising activities. We chose these activities to maximize our ability to provide the AMIGOS experience to all volunteers without regard to family financial circumstances.
Group fundraising keeps the program fee as low as possible and makes participation in AMIGOS programs more widely accessible. While the group needs to raise an average of $4,500 per participant, what each volunteer will be measured by and held accountable to is 100% participation in planned activities. The success of this approach requires the good-faith effort and commitment of each volunteer and family.
Fundraising skills are an important component of AMIGOS training program and raise awareness of AMIGOS programs in the community. Volunteers receive considerable help with regard to fundraising strategies, and the experience gained in this effort will build important skills!
LETTER WRITING/DONOR CONTACTS
Each volunteer is required to send out a combination of 110 letters and emails to friends, family, and a limited number of previous donors, to request individual tax-deductible donations (the revenue from this effort is pooled). Letters are written by the student with considerable help provided by the chapter during the process. For more information, contact [email protected].
To see some of our fundraising efforts from last year, check out our Summer 2023 CauseVox Campaign here.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Kim Hauff
Treasurer
[email protected]
Lucy Weeks
At-Large/Recruitment Support
[email protected]
Twyla Haggerty
Recruitment Support
[email protected]
Allison Hauff
Training Director
[email protected]
Abbey Alexander
Training Director
[email protected]
Jennifer Minnear
Secretary
[email protected]
Susy Rotkis
Parent Coordinator
[email protected]
Allen Kinnison
Letter-Writing Coordinator
Ivonne Ramirez
Financial Aid Mentor
Harry McDermott
Medical Director