East Bay Chapter
Serving East Bay families and volunteers since 1968.
About this Chapter
The AMIGOS East Bay Chapter is part of a 9 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 through the training program.
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 East Bay Chapter Volunteers Attend
Acalanes
Alameda High
Berkeley High
Bishop O’Dowd
Campolindo
El Cerrito High School
Las Lomas
Miramonte
Piedmont High
Richmond High
Ygnacio Valley
Support the East Bay Chapter’s volunteers and families.
Donate NowChapter Contact Information
Charity EIN: 51-0139576
How to Join
AMIGOS gives you an exciting chance to have an adventure and explore the world outside of a classroom.
Get to Know the East Bay Chapter
Check out our programs, review our admissions requirements, and learn more about the East Bay Chapter activities by exploring this webpage.
Apply Online
Submit your application (it should take around 30 minutes or less) and pay the deposit to hold your spot.
Questions or tech issues? Reach out to our Admissions team at admissions@amigosinternational.org.
Interviews
The East Bay Chapter will host in-person interviews for the volunteer and family. The chapter will contact the volunteer and family after the application is submitted and reviewed to schedule their interview.
The interview is for the applicant and family. At least one parent or guardian is required to attend. Interviews last 45 minutes to an hour, and it is an opportunity for the chapter to meet the student and family, set expectations, and answer questions about AMIGOS.
Application Deadlines
January 20, 2027 is the Application Deadline to join the East Bay Chapter. Late applications may be considered on a case-by-case basis until training starts. Please contact outreach@amigosinternational.org for more information.
Missed the local chapter deadline?
You can still join us for summer 2027 through the National Chapter and complete training virtually!
Local Chapter Requirements
The transformative AMIGOS experience starts before leaving home.
Pre-Departure 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 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.
Training Program Highlights
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 2025-2026 training calendar! More information will be shared here soon.
Group Fundraising
For many years we used to sell grapefruits and poinsettias as a group fundraiser. Since our training now starts later in the year, we no longer sell products. But just in case someone asks you about it – yes, AMIGOS grapefruit was a thing!
Fundraising skills are an important component of the AMIGOS training program because they help volunteers practice asking for support by communicating with family, friends, and extended community about why they are excited to participate. It also helps raise awareness of AMIGOS programs in the community and expand your network of support.
Our main group fundraising activity now consists of a letter writing campaign. Volunteers receive guidance from the chapter with regard to fundraising strategies.
Letter Writing/Donor Contacts
The ability to compose a persuasive fundraising letter allows our volunteers to raise funds to accomplish their training for the summer projects. This support extends not only in their host community, but also in their own communities upon their return home.
Each volunteer is required to send physical letters to friends and family to request tax-deductible donations that support AMIGOS projects. The revenue from this effort is pooled into the collective fundraising goal.
Need Assistance?
The East Bay Chapter is dedicated to supporting the inclusion of students from all family backgrounds to access this life-changing experience. To provide the AMIGOS experience to all volunteers without regard to family financial circumstances, the East Bay Chapter provides chapter discounts, offers financial assistance, and covers local program costs through fundraising activities. It is our mission to support every student that wants to participate in AMIGOS, regardless of family income. We offer a range of financial assistance packages on a case-by-case basis and encourage you to apply and work with us to find the price point that works best for your family.
We provide need-based financial assistance determined by family income, number of dependents, and special financial circumstances. Each year, about 20% of volunteers receive financial assistance ranging from $500 to $3,500. Qualified applicants are selected and receive assistance as deductions on family fee payments.
Applicants applying for financial assistance may request a temporary waiver of the $75 non-refundable application fee. The waiver is temporary while the chapter reviews the financial assistance application and determines an award offer (if any). If the volunteer and family accept the offer to join AMIGOS, they will then be required to pay the $75 non-refundable application fee.
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”. The Financial Assistance Application is filled out on your dashboard after the main application is submitted. You will need to provide a recent tax return, description of extenuating circumstances, or other documentation requested by the chapter. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis starting in December until the deadline.
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.
Contact
Please reach out to the AMIGOS East Bay Treasurer with any questions regarding financial assistance via email at treasurer@amigos-eastbay.org.
Board of Directors
Toby Walecka
Fundraising Coordinator
Meghan Curtis
Alumni Coordinator
Renita Vinluan
At-Large
Kym Johnson
At-Large
Brittany Nuno-Pelayo
At-Large
Training Team
April McMurtry
Samantha Hopper
Reese Akel
Get Started with AMIGOS East Bay
Explore new cultures, serve communities, and form lasting friendships along the way.
Start Your Application Today
Apply Now
Learn More About Our Application Process
How To Join