HOW TO JOIN
READY TO APPLY?
- Explore our website. Check out our programs and review our admissions requirements.
- Learn more about the National Chapter path!
- Attend an HQ-led online information session.
- 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
The DC Chapter deadline has passed. We encourage you to apply to join AMIGOS through our National Chapter.
- March 11 – National Chapter Financial Assistance deadline
- April 8 – National Chapter Session A Application Deadline
- May 14 – National Chapter Session B & C Application Deadline
Information sessions
Below please find the DC Chapter recorded info 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.
Interviews
The DC Chapter will host an in-person Kickoff Meeting and Interview Day on Sunday, January 26, at Cleveland Park Library from 1:30-4.30PM. 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 Zoe Paglee, DC Chapter Coordinator, via [email protected].
ABOUT
The AMIGOS Washington DC Chapter is part of a 10 Chapter Network that recruits, trains, and supports AMIGOS volunteers and families in their local community. Volunteers from the Washington DC metropolitan area, including DC, Virginia, and Maryland 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 Washington DC Chapter’s incorporation in 1993, over 900 youth from the Washington, DC metropolitan area and its suburbs have volunteered through the chapter path, fundraising and training locally before the summer.
Current Volunteers
Washington DC Chapter volunteers attend Bethesda-Chevy Chase, Duke Ellington School of the Arts, Edmund Burke School, Elizabeth Seton, Georgetown Day School, Glen Elg, HB Woodlawn, John F. Kennedy, Montgomery Blair, Saint John’s College, School Without Walls, Sidwell Friends, Springbrook, St. Stephens St. Agnes, TC Williams, The Field School, Wakefield, Walt Whitman, Washington-Liberty, Woodrow Wilson, Yorktown, and many more!
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
AMIGOS actively recruits and supports inclusion of volunteers from diverse backgrounds. AMIGOS DC provides need-based financial assistance with distribution determined by family income, number of dependents, and special financial circumstances. We provide amounts of $500–$1,500 to qualified applicants as financial assistance deductions on the program fee.
The DC Chapter will waive the $75 application fee for financial assistance applicants. On the application, students should select that they intend to apply for financial assistance. Then, at the end of the application, they should select, “I request a fee waiver”.
Financial assistance applications will be reviewed in January. The chapter will discuss finances with the parents/guardians during the interview.
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.
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 Washington DC Treasurer with any questions regarding financial assistance via email at [email protected].
TRAINING
The transformative AMIGOS experience starts before leaving home.
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 Washington DC Chapter 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 guests from the community and the Washington DC Chapter Board of Directors.
SERVICE LEARNING
The Washington DC Chapter incorporates service-learning into the AMIGOS training 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. As part of training activities, participants will be expected to attend two volunteering activities with the student cohort.
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
TRAINING CALENDAR
Saturday, March 1 10AM to Sunday, March 2 10AM Retreat 1
Saturday, April 26 10AM to Sunday, April 27 10AM Retreat 2 (Parent Meeting from 5-6PM on Saturday, April 26)
All locations are TBD. More information will be posted soon.
FUNDRAISING
GROUP FUNDRAISING
The Washington DC Chapter of AMIGOS 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 will send out 75 letters to friends and family requesting individual tax-deductible donations for the chapter. The revenue from this effort is pooled and helps support access to the program for an economically diverse cohort. Volunteers receive support from the chapter during the process. Collectively, the DC Chapter typically experiences a healthy response rate to these letters.
While the group needs to raise an average of $2,500 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.
To see some of our fundraising efforts from last year, check out our Summer 2024 CauseVox Campaign here.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Share Your Time and Talent!
The Washington DC Chapter of AMIGOS is always looking for volunteers! If you are interested in contributing to our chapter either as a board member or as an ad-hoc volunteer, please email [email protected].
Guthrie Graves-Fitzsimmons
President
[email protected]
Carynne Jarrell
Vice President
[email protected]
Jillian Winstanley
Treasurer
[email protected]
Alyson Woolley
Secretary
Krista Flagg
Training Director
[email protected]
Zoe Paglee
Chapter Coordinator
[email protected]
Sara Vargas Osorio
At-Large
Sweta Shah
At-Large