Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion

It is important to me and it is important for the development of our future leaders that we make diversity a priority. Every young person, regardless of their background, deserves a chance to experience what AMIGOS has to offer. And every Amig@ can serve to learn from different experiences.

I firmly believe our mission matters deeply when it comes to bridging divides. AMIGOS commits to creating a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization. Let’s use our mission to do even more to support learning and action around issues of social justice.

This page will serve as a living document detailing our commitments to and actions toward the goals of diversity, equity, and inclusion at AMIGOS. We invite you to join us in this effort, utilize the resources listed below, and contact us with any questions, ideas, or feedback.

–Sara Nathan, CEO and President of AMIGOS

 

Diversity Statement

AMIGOS believes in the power and wisdom of all people. We embrace diversity at AMIGOS with respect to race, nationality, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, religion, age, ability, gender, and sexual orientation.

We commit to eliminating barriers to representation and inclusion within the AMIGOS organization and in our programs. We uplift different life experiences, belief systems, and opinions through our work with volunteers, communities, and partners.

October 2021

Community update regarding progress toward our goals to further diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) at AMIGOS.

Read more…

September 2021

A new diversity statement was approved by the AMIGOS Board of Directors. The statement is written above.

June 2021

In June, we recognize the origins and history of Pride Month. AMIGOS believes in the power and wisdom of queer voices, and we invite you to check out these resources to learn more.

Pride Resources

April 2021

Last year, we deepened our organization’s commitment to creating a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive organization. Today, we are providing an update on our progress toward the actions we outlined.

This work remains critically important as the global community seeks to dismantle systemic inequality, racism, and oppression. For AMIGOS, this is integral to our vision of a world where all people share responsibility for our global community. Part of that responsibility is creating a safe and equitable world for everyone.

Read more…

July 2020

Dear AMIGOS Family,

It has been an incredibly powerful time as communities across the world unite in protest against systemic racism and violence following the murders of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, and so many others. I am inspired by all who are coming together to stand up and call for action. This is a moment for each of us to reflect on who we are, who we want to be, and the role we can play in creating a more just society.

Read more…

June 2020

AMIGOS stands in solidarity with the movement against racism and injustice.

And we recognize we have a long way to go.

Every day, we work to provide space for young people to connect across cultures and create positive change in their communities. But this is not enough. We can and must be better.

Read more…

We all share responsibility for building an inclusive and respectful world. Every day, we work to provide space for young people to connect across cultures and create positive change in their communities. But this is not enough. We can and must be better. We commit to:

  • Strengthening the AMIGOS curriculum to ensure that it explores implicit and explicit bias, systemic racism, and each of our roles when working cross-culturally
  • Broadening our ability to reach students from all backgrounds by expanding organizational partnerships and financial resources for diverse youth
  • Continuing to empower young people with the skills they need to stand up for themselves and against injustice

Organizational Commitment & Actions

We are taking the following actions to reset our vision for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and hold ourselves accountable:

  1. Review of our organizational goals to ensure action on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
  2. Launch a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Work Group comprised of staff representatives from all departments. The DEI work group is responsible for creating goals, a multiyear work plan, and a system for evaluating our progress, in partnership with our staff and organizational stakeholders. This group has begun meeting regularly.
  3. Provide space and resources for learning, dialogue, and feedback from our staff at-large and make time for staff to reflect and engage in action.
  4. Recognize Juneteenth and provide time off for staff to reflect, learn, and act.
  5. Share resources on antiracism and implement a strategy to amplify Black voices.
  6. Build racial equity and justice modules into the curriculum of our new U.S.-based gap program, the Civic Action Gap Semester, with plans to update the curriculum for all programs.

Latin American Youth

  • We have partnered with more and more Latin American youth every year since the Latin American Youth Fund was created in 2010.
  • Approximately 30-40 Latin American students volunteer full-time on the Summer Program each year, either traveling to a different community within their home country or traveling to a different country.
  • We are committed to hiring youth from Latin America on our programs, providing a diverse perspective as well as leadership opportunities.

Local Chapters

  • Our chapter system helps us diversify by creating a larger network and making our programs more affordable through collective fundraising
  • Training curriculum for volunteers delves into diversity, cultural sensitivity, and inclusion over the course of several months
  • All chapter network-wide meetings include diversity and inclusion sessions

Find out more about the impact of AMIGOS.

We are committed to giving students from all socioeconomic backgrounds this life-changing experience. Our communities need leaders of diverse backgrounds. Find out more about the enduring impact of AMIGOS.

2022

  • Total financial assistance distributed in 2022: $234,610
  • 41 volunteers from across the Americas joined the free Social Impact Accelerator follow-on program
  • Latin American youth who received full financial assistance: 40
  • AMIGOS partnered with DiscoverU, the Daher Fund, Denver Foundation, College Track, and KIPP to provide financial assistance to volunteers.

2021

  • Total financial assistance distributed in 2021 (including outside funding and partnerships): $289,178
  • Over 30% of 2021 volunteers received financial assistance
  • 26 Latin American volunteers received full financial assistance.
  • In 2021, AMIGOS launched the Social Impact Accelerator, a free, follow-on program for alumni to implement service projects in their home communities. Eleven volunteers joined this program and eight were from Latin America.
  • AMIGOS partnered with the Daher Fund, College Track, Adobe, KIPP, Meca, and DiscoverU to provide additional financial assistance.

2020

  • Total financial assistance distributed in 2020: $41,564
  • More than 40% of students received financial assistance in 2020.
  • Latin American youth participants who received full financial assistance: 28
  • A partnership with DiscoverU supported subsidized funding for 22 students.
  • In 2020, AMIGOS canceled in-person programming and developed virtual programs. These programs had lower fees to join.
  • AMIGOS implemented a sliding scale for program fees based on family income.
  • The summer 2020 Community Impact Project was the most economically and ethnically-diverse program run by AMIGOS to date.

2019

  • 176 volunteers received financial assistance across all programs in 2019
  • Total financial assistance distributed in 2019: $414,080
  • Average financial assistance package: $2,353
  • 26% of all volunteers received financial assistance in 2019
  • AMIGOS partnered with organizations across the U.S. and Latin America to fund even more volunteers
  • Additional opportunities for funding for AMIGOS alumni, young leaders in local chapter areas, and Latin American youth

Websites

Justice in June

Let’s Grow Kids – Anti-Racism Resources for Children

Certified B Corporation – Anti-Racism Resource

Anti-Racism Daily

Huff Post Black Voices

OneUpAction

 

Books

How to Be Anti-Racist by Ibram X. Kendi

Just Us by Claudia Rankine

Minor Feelings by Cathy Park Hong

So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo

Finding Latinx by Paola Ramos

The Good Immigrant by 26 writers

An Indigenous People’s History of the United States by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz

Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates

White Fragility by Robin Diangelo

Black Futures by Kimberly Drew and Jenna Wortham

 

Podcasts

Still Processing

Code Switch

Intersectionality Matters!

Jemele Hill is Unbothered

Hear to Slay

1619

Pod Save the People

Diversity Gap

About Race

 

Social Media

No White Saviors – @nowhitesaviors

Autumn Peltier – @autumn.peltier