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Volunteers who are selected to participate in the program begin the training and fundraising process in mid-October. Volunteers participate in an extensive training program, building skills that will be necessary for successful completion of the AMIGOS program in Latin America. Upon acceptance to the program the volunteers will be asked to sign a participation agreement. This agreement ensures that the volunteers and the training staff are in agreement regarding what is expected of each volunteer.
 The summer in Latin America can be one that is rewarding and challenging. The training program is designed to ensure that the volunteer is successful in Latin America. The volunteers are trained by a group of veteran volunteers, those who have participated in the program and want to share the knowledge and special skills that they bring back to Seattle. These veterans are dedicated to making this experience happen for the youth in our area.
This year the volunteers will receive training in various different topics in order to prepare the volunteers. The Seattle Chapter training program focuses on empowering young leaders that:
- Organize information and resources
- Plan, implement, and evaluate projects
- Make sound decisions
- Solve problems
- Are skilled interpersonal communicators
- Have strong conversational skills in Spanish or Portuguese
- Appreciate and recognize human diversity
- Know effective methods for staying safe and healthy in Latin America
- Advance Community Development at home and abroad
- Utilize approaches to education and development that build community
- Strive for sustainable programs
- Assess community resources, assets, and opportunities
- Collaborate with host communities and partner agencies
- Strengthen Multi-Cultural Understanding in the Americas
- Are culturally sensitive
- Understand the process of cultural adjustment
- Understand the impact of culture
- Learn through service
- Understand personal motivation of service
We will spend the majority of the year developing and strengthening these skills. The experience starts right here in Seattle. We incorporate service in the Seattle community before traveling to Latin America.
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