WE ARE AMIGO!
Amigo is a group of humanitarian artists, musicians, progressive thinkers and action sports enthusiasts. We provide opportunities to at-risk youth to have experiences that foster creativity, mental wellness and world unity.
Our Story
In 2007, Amigo co-founder Rene Lecour was working at the Coconut Grove Skatepark when he decided to move his family into the economically challenged neighborhood several blocks away from the skate park. The '‘West Grove’ which was originally founded by Bahamian settlers at the turn of the century and by the early 2000s the once sleepy village had fallen on hard times due to poverty, drug abuse and gang violence. Renes plan was simple; he would move into a small house on main street that he would use as a safe zone for kids seeking shelter. Once at his home he, his friends and family could serve as positive role models, provide snacks for those who were hungry, refurbish skateboarding equipment and even spend the night when they didn’t have anywhere else to go. The family learned early on that the combination of the belonging to a brotherhood, positive thinking, the physicality of skateboarding and the creativity sparked by art and music was empowering the youth in ways beyond belief.
It was from this environment that Renes 16-year-old son, Kaya Rayne came up with the idea to visit their ancestral home in Havana Cuba in 2009. His dream was to help out a group of skaters that he had seen in the documentary The Cuban Skate Embargo. The films focus was a group of kids that were struggling under the restrictions set upon them by their government. That small spark that ignited in Kaya’s heart turned into a flame that inspired the Lecour family into action and later stoked a movement that has crossed boarders and has inspired like-minded individuals around the globe.
AMIGO as a charitable movement is dedicated to the loving memory of Kaya Rayne Lecour 1994-2017
Mission
Our Mission is to support youth in historically underserved communities around the globe through actions sports, art and music. We believe that by doing this we can create a culture that empowers itself to dream without limits, inspires mental wellness, promotes equality and activates physical fitness. Our philanthropic work is made possible through the products that we sell in our online store, product sponsorships and financial donations.
Since our inception in 2010 we have not only supported at-risk youth through action-sports and the arts but have also sent financial aid, food delivery’s, digital communication reinforcement and sent boots on the ground volunteer teams to help family’s during times of financial crisis, natural disasters and civil unrest. We may be known as ‘The Robin Hoods of Havana” for our decade long mission in Cuba but our vision is worldwide. We have volunteered and sent aid to peoples in Haiti, Venezuela, Cuba, Miami, New York City, Seminole and Miccosukee Tribes of Florida and Arizona’s Apache Tribe.
(Donation tab at bottom of page)
art.
Motivated by Kaya Lecours love of art Amigo has had a strong focus on art and photography. We have provided instruction, donations and collaborations with some of the most talented artists across the globe.
music.
Providing musical instruments and instruction of music ranging from Hip Hop, Latin Jazz and Punk Rock. Creating unity with global peoples and cultures through our new program MUSICAL WONDERS OF THE WORLD.
SKATEBOARDING.
Amigo has given away over 3,000 skateboards, built skate-spots, provided free skateboard lessons, donated BMX gear, organized skate contests, sponsored skate-trips, longboard races and surfing events.
AMIGO- THE MOVIE
2018 Documentary film: Amigo Skate, Cuba; won 1st place at the Miami Film Festival. Now available on Amazon Prime Video and all digital media platforms.