HOW TO JOIN
Ready to Apply?
- Explore our website. Check out our programs and review our admissions requirements.
- Learn more about the National Chapter path.
- Submit your application (it should take around 30 minutes or less) and pay the $75 application fee to hold your spot. Questions or tech issues? Reach out to our Admissions team at [email protected].
Application Deadlines
The Albuquerque Chapter deadline has passed. We encourage you to apply to join AMIGOS through our National Chapter.
- March 11 – National Chapter Financial Assistance deadline
- April 8 – National Chapter Session A Application Deadline
- May 14 – National Chapter Session B & C Application Deadline
Interviews
The Albuquerque Chapter will host in-person interviews for the volunteer and family. The chapter will contact the volunteer and family after the application is submitted and reviewed to schedule their interview.
The interview is for the applicant and family. At least one parent or guardian is required to attend. Interviews last 45 minutes to an hour, and it is an opportunity for the chapter to meet the student and family, set expectations, and answer questions about AMIGOS.
CONTACT
If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact [email protected].
ABOUT
The AMIGOS Albuquerque Chapter is part of a 10 Chapter Network that recruits, trains, and supports AMIGOS volunteers and families in their local community. Volunteers from the Albuquerque 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 Albuquerque Chapter’s incorporation in 1970, over 700 youth from Albuquerque and its suburbs have volunteered through the chapter path, fundraising and training locally before the summer.
CURRENT VOLUNTEERS
Albuquerque Chapter volunteers attend Albuquerque Academy, Albuquerque High School, Bosque School, Cibola, Cleveland, College and Career, Early College Academy, East Mountain, Highland, La Cueva, Manzano, Rio Rancho, Saint Pius, Sandia Prep, South Valley Academy, and many more!
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
AMIGOS actively recruits and supports inclusion of volunteers from diverse backgrounds. AMIGOS Albuquerque provides need-based financial assistance with distribution determined by family income, number of dependents, and special financial circumstances. We provide amounts of $500–$1,500 to qualified applicants as financial assistance deductions on the program fee.
The Albuquerque Chapter will waive the $75 application fee for financial assistance applicants. On the application, students should select “Yes” that they intend to apply for financial assistance. Students must select “Yes” to this question in order for the Financial Assistance Application to appear on their dashboard. Then, at the end of the application, they should select, “I request a waiver”.
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.
- Earn discounts or cash payments for referring the next cohort of AMIGOS volunteers! Learn more about our Alumni Referral Program and sign up to receive your unique referral code.
Resources:
- All alumni interested in volunteering again with AMIGOS qualify to apply for the Alumni Award. We highly encourage you to apply for financial assistance.
- To learn more about program fees, check out the Fees and Financial Assistance webpage.
CONTACT:
- Please reach out to the AMIGOS Albuquerque Treasurer with any questions regarding financial assistance via email at [email protected].
TRAINING
The transformative AMIGOS experience starts before leaving home.
With over 60 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 Albuquerque 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 volunteers succeed beyond AMIGOS. Training sessions are facilitated by the Training Team and Albuquerque Chapter Board of Directors.
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
FUNDRAISING
GROUP FUNDRAISING
AMIGOS Albuquerque 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.
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 100 letters and emails to friends and family, and contact a limited number of prior AMIGOS donors via telephone, 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.
While the group needs to raise an average of $2,000 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. Families are encouraged to participate, but if requesting to buy out, they can pay out of pocket in addition to the program fee and airfare costs.
To see some of our fundraising efforts from last year, check out our Summer 2024 CauseVox Campaign here.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Jennifer Pentecost
President
[email protected]
Joe Landavazo
Treasurer and Training Director
[email protected]
Claire Bettler
Secretary
[email protected]
Valentin Varela
At-Large
[email protected]
Clyde Layne
At-Large
Jason McKee
At-Large