Chicago Chapter
Serving Chicago families and volunteers since 1973.
About this Chapter
The AMIGOS Chicago Chapter is part of a 9 Chapter Network that recruits, trains, and supports AMIGOS volunteers and families in their local community. Volunteers from the Chicago 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.
During Summer 2021, the Chicago North Chapter and Urban Chicago Chapter merged to form the Chicago Chapter. Since Chicago North’s incorporation in 1973 and Urban Chicago’s incorporation in 2003, over 1,000 youth from Chicago and its suburbs have volunteered through the chapter path, fundraising and training locally before the summer.
Current Chicago Chapter Volunteers Attend
Evanston Township High School
Glenbrook North High School
Glenbrook South High School
Jones College Prep
New Trier High School
Northside College Prep
Walter Payton College Prep
Whitney Young Magnet High School
Von Steuben High School
Support the Chicago Chapter’s volunteers and families.
Donate NowChapter Contact Information
Chicago, IL
How to Join
AMIGOS gives you an exciting chance to have an adventure and explore the world outside of a classroom.
Get to Know the Chicago Chapter
Check out our programs, review our admissions requirements, and learn more about the Houston Chapter activities by exploring this website.
Attend an Information Session
The Chicago Chapter will be hosting a virtual information session. This meeting reviews basic program information and chapter specifics such as financial assistance, funding, training, and service learning. More information will be shared here about the date/time.
Applicants are required to attend one virtual HQ information sessions.
Apply Online
Submit your application (it should take around 30 minutes or less) and pay the deposit to hold your spot.
Questions or tech issues? Reach out to our Admissions team at admissions@amigosinternational.org.
Interviews
The Chicago Chapter will reach out to schedule a family interview online via Zoom. At least one parent or guardian is required to attend, and the interview lasts approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour.
Application Deadlines
January 20, 2027 is the Application Deadline to join the Chicago Chapter. Late applications may be considered on a case-by-case basis until training starts. Please contact outreach@amigosinternational.org for more information.
Missed the local chapter deadline?
You can still join us for summer 2027 through the National Chapter and complete training virtually!
Local Chapter Requirements
The transformative AMIGOS experience starts before leaving home.
Pre-Departure Training
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 Chicago Chapter AMIGOS 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 Team and include guest speakers from the community and the Board of Directors.
Training Program Highlights
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 Chicago Chapter is finalizing the 2025-2026 training schedule. More information will be shared here soon!
Group Fundraising
AMIGOS Chicago 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/ Doner Contacts
Each volunteer is required to send out a combination of 100 letters and emails to friends and family, 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.
Need Assistance?
AMIGOS actively recruits and supports inclusion of volunteers from diverse backgrounds. AMIGOS Chicago 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.
Applicants applying for financial assistance may request a temporary waiver of the $75 non-refundable application fee. The waiver is temporary while the chapter reviews the financial assistance application and determines an award offer (if any). If the volunteer and family accept the offer to join AMIGOS, they will then be required to pay the $75 non-refundable application fee.
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.
Contact
Please reach out to the AMIGOS Chicago Treasurer with any questions regarding financial assistance via email at treasurer@amigos-chicago.org.
Board of Directors
Kelsey Creamer
President and Assistant Training Director
AMIGOS Paraguay, 2007
Get Started with AMIGOS Chicago
Explore new cultures, serve communities, and form lasting friendships along the way.
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