HOW TO APPLY
READY TO APPLY?
- Please attend an online informational meeting.
- Click here to start your application. The application should take about 25-30 minutes to complete, and we encourage you to complete it in one sitting. You may need your parent(s) or guardian(s) to support with the application process. You will be asked to chose the program you are most interested in.
- All applicants applying for need-based financial assistance will have their $50 application fee waived.
- An AMIGOS representative from the Peninsula Chapter will contact you to set up an interview.
APPLICATION DEADLINES
December 15, 2022 is the priority deadline. All applicants that apply by the priority deadline will be entered into a drawing for a $500 credit toward their air travel.
January 17, 2023 is the final application deadline. It is also the financial assistance application deadline. However, financial assistance applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and we encourage you to apply as soon as possible!
INFOrmation SESSION
You can learn more about the Peninsula Chapter through these presentation slides: 2022-2023 Chapter Info Session Presentation – Peninsula
INTERVIEWS
The Peninsula Chapter will be offering primarily virtual interviews with limited in-person options in December and January. We will share more information about the dates and how to sign up soon. In the meantime, please contact Samantha Schoech at sschoech@amigosinternational.org for more information.
CONTACT
If you have any questions or would like more information, please contact Samantha Schoech at sschoech@amigosinternational.org.
ABOUT
The Peninsula Chapter is a part of a 12 Chapter Network that recruits, trains, and supports AMIGOS volunteers and families in their local community. Volunteers from the Peninsula and South Bay Areas train together as a group before leaving for their summer experience in Latin America. Our board supports volunteers with fundraising and overall preparation. Learn more about our Summer Programs here!
HISTORY
During Summer 2021, the Peninsula Chapter and the Silicon Valley Chapter joined together under the Peninsula Chapter banner to create a singular chapter experience for Peninsula and South Bay families. Since Peninsula’s incorporation in 1974 and Silicon Valley’s incorporation in 1985, over 1,500 youth from the Peninsula and the South Bay have volunteered through the chapter path, fundraising and training locally before the summer.
CURRENT VOLUNTEERS
Peninsula volunteers attend schools from San Mateo to San Jose and represent schools like Gunn High School, Eastside Prep, Hillsdale High School, Woodside Priory, Palo Alto High School, and many more!
Chapter identity
The Peninsula Chapter seeks to embody our communities. We’ve identified the following values as central to our chapter identity:
Partnerships. We seek to partner with local organizations and businesses for service and fundraising opportunities.
Activism. We provide opportunities for service learning in the local communities during training to help foster deeper connections to the people and places where we live.
Diversity & Inclusion. We celebrate the diversity of the Bay Area and the Peninsula and seek to embrace and foster it in our recruiting, training, and events.
FEES & FUNDING
FEES
The family fee to participate in an AMIGOS Summer Program in the Peninsula Chapter varies by project.* Please see the Fees section to the right to review pricing.
FUNDRAISING
All volunteers are required to take part fully in fundraising, which is an important component of the pre–summer training program.
The Peninsula Chapter covers AMIGOS program costs through a combination of family fee payments and fundraising activities. We also offer financial assistance (details below). A significant portion of our fundraising campaign supports families by helping to provide the AMIGOS experience to all volunteers regardless of financial circumstances.
We fundraise as a group with a letter writing campaign. Each volunteer is required to send out a combination of 100 letters and emails to friends, family, and the larger AMIGOS community in the area to request individual tax–deductible donations. The campaign will take place between February and April 2023.
The fundraising proceeds are pooled and support the chapter with training, financial assistance, and general fee reduction. The targeted fundraising amount will vary by year, depending on the number of volunteers and the needed amount of financial assistance. The chapter provides significant support to students and families throughout the fundraising process. Please note that stamps are not covered by the chapter.
To see some of our fundraising efforts from last year, check out our Summer 2022 Campaign here.
Financial assistance
It is our chapter’s mission to support every student that wants to participate in AMIGOS, regardless of family income. General guidelines are below, but 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 a price point that works best for your family.
| Family Income (AGI) | Expected Family Fee |
| $0-49,999 | $450-1,099 |
| $50,000-99,999 | $1,100-2,199 |
| $100,000-149,999 | $2,200-3,299 |
| $150,000-199,999 | $3,300-Full Family Fee |
While this income scale represents a potential range for family fee, each financial assistance application is reviewed for special circumstances that may not be represented in family income. Our goal is to make the Amigos program as accessible as possible.
The financial assistance application deadline is January 17, 2023. However, we encourage interested applicants to apply as soon as possible while funds are available. Financial assistance applications are reviewed on a rolling basis starting in December until the deadline. The Financial Assistance Application is a separate application available to complete through your Dashboard. Apply here!
Please contact South Bay Coordinator, Samantha Schoech at sschoech@amigosinternational.org if you have any questions.
ADDITIONAL FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
FEES
Non-Refundable Application Fee: $50 (waived for financial assistant applicants)
Summer program family fees vary by project length:
- 3-week projects: $4,375
- 4-week projects: $4,675
- 6-week projects: $4,875
*Flight costs are not included. Learn more about airfare and travel support here.
FEES INCLUDE
- Training materials and workshops
- Secondary short-term international medical insurance
- Program excursions
- Food, lodging, and transportation in Latin America
- Supplies for community project and extracurricular activities
- 24-hour On Call Emergency Management System
- Travel hotline and support
Click here for more information about our Fees & Funding.
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 Peninsula Chapter AMIGOS training is 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 students succeed beyond AMIGOS. Training sessions are facilitated by the Training Team and include guest speakers from the community and the Peninsula 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
PENINSULA TRAINING CALENDAR
20-25 hours of training + 5-10 group service hours
Sunday, Feb 12, 5:30-7:30
Location: Los Altos Community Center, Juniper Room
97 Hillview Ave, Los Altos, CA 94022
Topic: Kick-off meet and greet & family orientation. Intro to fundraising.
Sunday, March 5, 2:00 -5:00
Location: TBD
Topic: Fundraising: Bring 100-name list and sample letter.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY! Families welcome!
Sat, Mar 11, 9:00AM-11:00AM
Beach Cleanup
Venice Beach, Half Moon Bay
March 18-19 (overnight training), 3 pm -noon
Location: TBD
Spring break hiatus
Sunday, April 16, 2pm – 5pm
Location: Los Altos Community Center, Juniper Room
97 Hillview Ave, Los Altos, CA 94022
Topic: TBD
Sunday, April 30, 11-1 pm
Location: Sports Basement Redwood City Grove Space
202 Walnut St, Redwood City, CA 94063
Topic: TBD
Sunday, May 7, noon – 3 final training (volunteers only)
3-4:30 – Goodbye party (with families)
Location: Los Altos Community Center, Juniper Room
97 Hillview Ave, Los Altos, CA 94022
Topic: TBD
Required online trainings (to be completed individually)
Health & Safety webinar for parents and volunteers
PIP webinar for parents and volunteers
STAFF & BOARD
STAFF
Samantha Schoech
(pronounced “Shay”)
South Bay Coordinator
sschoech@amigosinternational.org
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
| Mike Keeler Treasurer treasurer@amigos-peninsula.org |
Daniel Ponti Communications/Webmaster webmaster@amigos-peninsula.org |
| Keith Bromberg Recruiting recruitment@amigos-peninsula.org |
Chris Leverenz Events events@amigos-peninsula.org |
| Vivian Liu Secretary secretary@amigos-peninsula.org |
Robert Lerner Fundraising fundraising@amigos-peninsula.org |
|
Michael Pickens
|