ABOUT
The AMIGOS Seattle Chapter is part of a 13 Chapter Network that recruits, trains, and supports AMIGOS volunteers and families in their local community. Volunteers from the Puget Sound 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 its incorporation in 1972, over 900 youth from the greater Seattle area have volunteered through the chapter path, fundraising and training locally before the summer.
CURRENT VOLUNTEERS
The Seattle Chapter has welcomed 22 volunteers for the 2023 programming. These young leaders attend Bainbridge High School, Cleveland High School, Garfield High School, Ingraham High School, Sammamish High School, Shorewood High School, Vashon Island High School, and Nathan Hale High School! This group will travel across Costa Rica, Ecuador and Panama this summer. This spring we will train, fundraise and volunteer locally together.
Chapter board
The Seattle Chapter Board of Directors has 11 active members who volunteer their time to make AMIGOS possible for more young people from the area. This vibrant group is comprised of alumni, parents of alumni, community members, professionals and all are passionate about achieving the AMIGOS mission.
making amigos accessable
The Seattle Chapter is committed to making AMIGOS accessible to families at all income levels. We do this by including the cost of airfare in our family fee and fundraising goals, and we offer financial assistance packages to our volunteers ranging from 10-90% of the out-of-pocket costs. This year we have 30% of our current volunteers receiving chapter financial assistance. We believe that program cost should not be a barrier to participate and chapter financial assistance makes AMIGOS accessible.
HOW TO APPLY
READY TO APPLY?
The deadline to apply to the local Seattle Chapter of AMIGOS has passed. We are still accepting applications through our National Chapter! You can learn more about the National Chapter here.
CONTACT
If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact the Seattle Chapter, via email at [email protected].
FEES & FUNDING
The family fee to participate in an AMIGOS Summer Program in the Seattle Chapter varies by project. Please see the Fees section to the right to review pricing.
The Seattle Chapter covers AMIGOS program costs through a combination of family payments and fundraising activities. This approach allows us to keep costs to families low while teaching valuable fundraising and community outreach skills.
All volunteers are required to fully take part in each fundraising activity as 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 definitely build important skills!
LETTER WRITING/DONOR CONTACTS
Each volunteer is required to send out 100 emails and/or letters to friends and family, 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.
Additional funding opportunities
All alumni interested in volunteering again with AMIGOS will receive a credit of $1,000 towards their family fee and qualify to apply for the Alumni Award.
Financial assistance
AMIGOS actively recruits and supports inclusion of volunteers from diverse backgrounds. Last year, 40% of volunteers received financial assistance! AMIGOS provides needs-based financial assistance with distribution determined by family income, number of dependents and special financial circumstances. We provide amounts of 10-90% of the family fee to qualified applicants as deductions on the family fee.
Please contact the Chapter President at [email protected] for more information.
FEES
Non-Refundable Application Fee: $50 (fee waived for financial assistance applicants)
Summer program family fees are offered on a sliding scale based on family income and vary by project length:
- 3-week projects: $440 – $4,375
- 4-week projects: $470 – $4,675
- 6-week projects: $490 – $4,875
If you have any questions, please reach out to the Chapter President at [email protected]
FEES INCLUDES
- Round trip airfare
- Training materials and workshops
- Secondary short-term international medical insurance
- Program excursions
- Food, lodging, and transportation in Latin America
- Supplies for community project and extracurricular activities
- 24-hour On Call Emergency Management System
- Travel hotline and support
Learn more about airfare and travel support here.
FEES DO NOT INCLUDE
- Immunizations and pre-travel medical examinations
- Passport/Visa fees
TRAINING
With over 55 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 Seattle Chapter training is youth-led, experiential learning that prepares volunteers for their experiences, builds a community of youth and families with shared values, and develops life-skills to help students succeed beyond AMIGOS.
SERVICE LEARNING
The Seattle Chapter incorporates service learning to add depth and first-hand experience to the curriculum. Service learning is a teaching and learning strategy that integrates meaningful community service with instruction and reflection to enrich the learning experience, teach civic responsibility and strengthen communities.
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
- February 5: Welcome meeting (whole family)
- February 26: 1st training (just volunteers)
- March 5: Fundraising kick off (whole family)
- March 19: 2nd training (just volunteers)
- April: Service day (whole family is invited)
- April 22-23: 3rd training & overnight retreat (just volunteers)
- May 7: 4th training (just volunteers)
- June 4: Despedida (whole family)
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
| Taylor Martin President [email protected] |
Molly Abbruzzese Vice President |
| Tom Lucas Treasurer [email protected] |
Jill Chelimer Secretary [email protected] |
| Sam Vaux Parent and Paperwork Coordinator |
Lisa Giamberso Outreach Coordinator [email protected] |
| Ed La Cava At-Large |
Emma Schnee At-Large and Training Liaison |
| Jenna Hlavaty At-Large |
Maija Brandt Youth Representative to the Board |
| Debra Brandt At-Large |
