HOW TO JOIN
AMIGOS gives you an exciting chance to have an adventure and explore the world outside of a classroom. You will live in a new country with a host family and work on sustainable community service projects. These experiences prepare you for your future, improve your Spanish, and build your confidence. You develop leadership skills that will set you apart in college and throughout your career. With AMIGOS, you will learn about the world by living in it. Click here to explore our Summer Programs.
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.
- 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 5, 2023 is the priority financial assistance deadline.
- January 16, 2024 is the final chapter deadline.
INFORMATION SESSIONS
The East Bay Chapter is finalizing an online pre-recorded information session. Check back soon to watch the recording! To learn more about project specifics, please attend one of our HQ led online information sessions or schedule a 1:1 counseling call!
INTERVIEWS
The East Bay Chapter will conduct both online via Zoom and in-person interviews. The chapter is finalizing their interview schedule, and more details will be shared here soon.
CONTACT
If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact [email protected].
ABOUT
The AMIGOS East Bay Chapter is part of a 10 Chapter Network that recruits, trains, and supports AMIGOS volunteers and families in their local community. Volunteers from the East Bay 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 the East Bay Chapter’s incorporation in 1968, over 1,000 youth from the East Bay have volunteered through the chapter path, fundraising and training locally before the summer.
CURRENT VOLUNTEERS
East Bay Chapter volunteers attend Acalanes High School, Berkeley High School, Campolindo High School, Carlmont High School, El Cerrito High School, Las Lomas High School, Miramonte High School, and many more!
TESTIMONIALS
“I wouldn’t trade the experience and leadership skills I gained for anything, nor would I ever disregard the huge benefits to local and international youth of collaborating on these projects and in children’s programs within our communities…Along with spending time with participants from all across the US and the Dominican Republic, I went with a partner into a rural community to live, to assist in a community service project, and to run summer camps for children. I found a life there, with a family and a community where I felt at home. Two months later I came back to the U.S., deeply changed but feeling more like myself than I ever had…”
– Karsen P. – Oakland Technical High School Alumni
“I’ve realized there are more ways to learn than just in a classroom. My AMIGOS experience has been a crucial opportunity to enrich my worldview. I am confident that future participants will learn to embrace change rather than hide from it. The best advice I have for them is to not have expectations regarding their summer and keep an open mind when encountering challenges and triumphs. Their newfound independence will mark the beginning of their leadership to perform meaningful acts of service not only locally, but also around the world…”
– Angelina Z. – Aspire Richmond College Preparatory Academy Alumni
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
AMIGOS actively recruits and supports inclusion of volunteers from diverse backgrounds. AMIGOS East Bay provides need-based financial assistance with distribution determined by family income, number of dependents, and special financial circumstances.
The East Bay 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”.
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.
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 East Bay Treasurer with any questions regarding financial assistance via email at [email protected].
TRAINING
The transformative AMIGOS experience starts before leaving home.
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 East Bay 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 volunteers succeed beyond AMIGOS. Training sessions are facilitated by the Training Team and include guest speakers from the community and the East Bay Chapter Board of Directors.
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
The East Bay Chapter is finalizing the winter and spring training calendar. More information will be shared here soon!
FUNDRAISING
GROUP FUNDRAISING
AMIGOS East Bay 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
The ability to compose a persuasive fundraising letter allows our volunteers to raise support to accomplish their projects, not only in their host community, but also in their own communities upon their return home to the U.S. Each volunteer is required to send letters to friends and family to request tax-deductible donations that support AMIGOS projects. The revenue from this effort is pooled. The chapter provides this training for all East Bay Chapter volunteers.
To see some of our fundraising efforts from last year, check out our Summer 2023 CauseVox Campaign here.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
We are volunteers who support all efforts to prepare AMIGOS volunteers and their families for their in-country projects. Board members are either AMIGOS veterans themselves or parents of former volunteers who feel strongly about the program, and can answer your questions! Just click on the email address to send a message.
President ([email protected])
Ray Chavez – Parent
Treasurers ([email protected])
Bob Schutt – Parent
Jacqui Richter, MD – Parent (also Health and Safety)
Training Director ([email protected])
April McMurtry – Alumna
Facilities & Events (Facilities)
Andy Sorensen, MD – Alumnus and parent (also Health and Safety)
Product Sales Director ([email protected])
Thomas Spirgi – Parent
Letter Writing Director ([email protected])
Stephanie Lipow – Parent
Letter Writing Coordinator (Letter Coordinator)
Rebecca Kallgren – Parent
Travel Coordinator & Online Product Sales (Travel)
Mary De Luna – Parent
Health and Safety
Kate Kasberger, MD – Parent (Health & Safety)
Jacqui Richter, MD – Parent
Andy Sorensen, MD – Alumnus and Parent
Donor Outreach (Donors)
Chuck Kallgren – Parent