ABOUT
The AMIGOS Seattle Chapter is part of a 10 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 welcomed 18 volunteers for this past Summer 2024 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 traveled across Costa Rica, Paraguay, and Panama.
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 JOIN
READY TO APPLY?
- Explore our website. Check out our programs and review our admissions requirements.
- Learn more about the chapter path! Click around on the tabs above to learn more about our chapter’s history, funding and financial assistance, and local training.
- Watch the Seattle Chapter pre-recorded information session (forthcoming) AND attend an HQ-led online information session or schedule a counseling call.
- 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
- December 10, 2024 is the priority project choice and financial assistance application deadline.
- January 21, 2025 is the final local chapter application deadline.
Information sessions
The Seattle Chapter will be sharing a pre-recorded information session. This meeting reviews basic program information and chapter specifics such as financial assistance, funding, training, and service learning. We encourage interested students to watch with a parent or guardian. Check back soon to view the pre-recorded information session!
Interviews
The chapter will host in-person and virtual interviews. The interview is for the applicant and family and at least one parent or guardian must attend.
CONTACT
If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Alex Johnson, Seattle Chapter Coordinator, via email at [email protected].
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
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 financial assistance amounts of 10-90% of the program fee to qualified applicants. Program fees will range from $450-5275 based on family income. Financial assistance will cover a portion of program fee and may cover cost of flight as well depending on need.
The Seattle 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”.
Please contact the Chapter President at [email protected] for more information.
ADDITIONAL FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
All alumni interested in volunteering again with AMIGOS are encouraged to apply for the Alumni Award.
Alumni and parents of alumni can 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.
- To learn more about program fees, check out the Fees and Financial Assistance webpage.
CONTACT:
- Please reach out to the AMIGOS Seattle Treasurer with any questions regarding financial assistance via email at [email protected].
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 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.
TRAINING CALENDAR
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
- Health and safety training
- Opportunities to practice Spanish
- Creating a community of young people with shared values
FUNDRAISING
GROUP FUNDRAISING
AMIGOS Seattle 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 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.
While the group needs to raise an average of $3,000 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 the $3,000 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
Bill Tsai
President
[email protected]
Debra Brandt
Vice President and Fundraising Coordinator
[email protected]
Bob Schutt
Treasurer
[email protected]
Joni Brand
Secretary
Alex Johnson
Chapter Coordinator and Training Director
[email protected]
Rebekah Kissel
At Large
Lucy Severns
At-Large
Molly Abbruzzese
At-Large
Taylor Phillips
At-Large
Lisa Giamberso
At-Large
Edward La Cava
At-Large
Samantha Vaux
At-Large
Katy Art
At-Large
Share Your Time and Talent!
The Seattle Chapter of AMIGOS is always looking for volunteers, specifically a Chapter President, Vice President, Outreach Coordinator, and Chapter Manager! If you are interested in contributing to our chapter either as a board member or as an ad-hoc volunteer, please email [email protected].
