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About Us

2011 Project Highlights from Amigos de las Americas on Vimeo.


The Seattle chapter

Chartered in 1971, the Seattle chapter of AMIGOS de las Americas is one of nearly thirty throughout the United States. Over the past 40 years, it has trained hundreds of young men and women to work in collaboration with Spanish and Portuguese-speaking communities in Latin America. Not surprisingly, our volunteers have returned to Seattle and other cities to continue a life of community service at home. While most of the Seattle area volunteers are high school students, Amigos also offers opportunities for college students or students outside of a chapter city through its correspondent volunteer program.

VISION

A world where each young person becomes a catalyst for social change.

MISSION

Amigos de las Américas inspires and builds young leaders through collaborative community development and immersion in cross-cultural experiences.

VALUES

  • Leadership by youth
  • Health and safety of our Volunteers and Project Staff
  • Respect in all of our relationships
  • High quality programs developed with and relevant to the communities we serve
  • Programs that transform both youth and communities


Fostering partnerships throughout the Americas

AMIGOS unites people from different cultures and countries to address community health and development needs. AMIGOS partners with international development agencies such as C.A.R.E., Save the Children, and Plan International as well as local community organizations and governmental organizations.

Promoting community service

In Latin America, volunteers live and work collaboratively with community members for up to eight weeks on projects such as:

  • Promoting Healthy Households: hygiene education, latrine construction, and the utilization of appropriate technology to find sensible, sustainable solutions to local problems (the building of fuel-efficient stoves, for example)
  • Encouraging Youth Development: Working with Latin American youth to get them involved in making their community better

Prior to their summer abroad, AMIGOS volunteers contribute to their communities here in the Seattle area through community service during training. Some of the organizations with which Seattle volunteers have collaborated include El Centro de la Raza, Forgotten Children's Fund and New Futures (formerly known as Project LOOK).

Encouraging youth leadership

AMIGOS empowers youth to take leadership roles in planning programs, facilitating community involvement, and inspiring local youth to be active in community service. AMIGOS volunteers learn to make mature decisions and build relationship that enhance their effectiveness and personal development. Outstanding volunteers return to AMIGOS by serving as project staff in host countries, working on training teams, or serving as board members of local chapters.


WHY CHOOSE AMIGOS?

No other program offers the comprehensive training, support and complete immersion, that AMIGOS offers.  You will return home more confident in your leadership skills, comfortable in your Spanish conversation skills, and more globally aware and engaged with the world. The benefits you will receive stretch far past your summer experience: whether you climb the AMIGOS leadership ladder by applying to return as Project Staff or enjoy the benefits of a network of tens of thousands of successful and connected alumni around the world. Here are just a few of the benefits that AMIGOS is proud to offer: 

  • Increased Spanish Fluency through complete immersion
  • Pre-Departure Training in leadership, communication, project management, health and safety, and more
  • International Field Experience which is invaluable preparation for public health, international development and countless other career paths
  • Support in Seeking College Credit as independent study, internship or research. (Contact your school advisor and our office for guidance)
  • Recognition for Community Service: We are pleased to acknowledge 40 hours of community service for each week you spend in our programs
  • Future Summer Job Opportunities: Refer to Project Staff page for details.
  • Over 25,000 alumni  including leaders in most career paths who can provide you with networking opportunities and advice as a young professional

 

Additional Benefits for College Students:

  • University groupings for placement with your peers
  • Networking Opportunities through small-group meetings with international nonprofit and government agencies in Latin America and the United States
  • Research Opportunities