Volunteer - Amara

Volunteer

Changing the world takes teamwork.

Together, we can make a profound impact on the long term outcomes of children, adults, and families experiencing foster care and adoption. Volunteers are key members in our network of support and ensure we’re able to offer important programs and services. Come alongside Amara as we promote healing, racial equity, and transformation of our child welfare system into a family well-being system. 

The Stories Within Our Files

“Looking at old baby pictures, reading through interviews with , and scanning over the minute details of every unique adoption, it is hard not to feel an intimate connection to the people whose information is contained in the inconspicuous manila folders. Having access to this confidential and very personal information is an immense responsibility.” – The Adoption Files Initiative Intern

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Building a place where we all thrive.

We have a vision to create a just and equitable world where all people grow and thrive. To bring this vision to life, we need creative, passionate people who reflect the diversity of our communities. We actively seek volunteers who have personal experience with foster care and/or adoption as well as individuals from diverse backgrounds – including communities of color, the LGBTQIA+ community, veterans, and people with disabilities. 

Together, we can create a more equitable and inclusive society—starting within our organization. Our staff and volunteers are united on this journey of learning, growing, and taking action to best support individuals and families impacted by foster care and adoption.

Volunteer Opportunities

Amara is immensely grateful for our volunteers who provide critical support to our Adoption Files Initiative, our Family Visitation Program, and who help beautify our spaces in Seattle and Tacoma. 

We’re looking for passionate individuals to join Amara’s Ambassador Board to learn more about our mission and champion our work in the community. Our Ambassadors play a key role in expanding Amara’s network of supporters by sharing our mission with others and inviting others to attend our fundraising and community events. Serving on the Ambassador Board is a great opportunity to gain board service experience and make a difference for kids and families in our community. For questions and information about how to join, please contact amaragiving@amarafamily.org.

Mission of the Ambassador Board: To engage individuals who are interested in gaining board service experience in the communities we serve to actively learn about and support Amara in achieving its mission and goals. The Ambassador Board carries out its mission through three main areas- 1) fundraising/events, 2) social networking, 3) board development. Members may serve on other Amara committees, participate in fundraising initiatives and events, and engage in community outreach efforts to build support for youth in foster care and Amara programs.

Governance and Composition:
The Ambassador Board will be comprised of a select group of individuals who work in the greater Seattle or Tacoma areas and represent a diverse range of professions, affiliations, and life experiences. The Amara Board of Directors will oversee the Ambassador Board, with 1-3 liaisons between the BOD and Ambassador Board. Members will be elected to two-year terms on a calendar year basis, without term limits to start. The Ambassador Board will elect its
own leadership with up to three Co-Chair positions. 

Objectives:

  • Create a long-term leadership pipeline for the Amara Board of Directors and various events and projects.
  • Provide members the opportunity to gain entry-level experience working on a nonprofit Board.
  • Broaden the base of donors and community members who support and advocate for Amara’s work.
  • Provide important community and corporate connections to Amara to further its mission and programs.
  • Engage members and peers in Amara fundraising, community outreach, and programmatic events.

Member Qualifications:

  • A desire to connect other individuals to each other and their community.
  • A commitment to showing up and being actively engaged in meetings, projects, and the mission.
  • An ability to listen, analyze, think clearly and creatively, and work well individually and in a group.
  • Willingness to leverage social networks to build awareness and cultivate and solicit funds for Amara.
  • Ability and willingness to actively participate in fundraising projects and events for Amara.

Member Responsibilities:

  • Serve as an ambassador for Amara in the community.
  • Participate in meetings. Members must attend a minimum of four, of six total, meetings annually.
  • Make a personally significant annual gift to Amara.
  • Set individual and group fundraising and engagement goals to introduce new donors and other community members to Amara’s work.
  • Be familiar with Amara strategic plan, programs, policies and budget.
  • If applicable, steward the relationship between the company for which you work and Amara (i.e. explore the possibility of sponsorship, participation in donation drives, accessing matching gifts, etc.).

Keeping kids connected to their families is important for their well-being. Family visits help maintain and strengthen the parent-child relationship, which increases the likelihood that kids will safely return home. Greeter Volunteers make family time visitation possible by helping to open/close our offices, creating a welcoming space for parents, sanitizing visit rooms, and stepping in to support Family Time Visitation Specialists during visits as needed.  

  • Commitment: Minimum of two shifts per month for six months
  • Hours: Greeter Volunteers are needed Monday through Friday in between the hours of 8:00am and 7:30pm. Shifts typically range from 3-4.5 hours.
  • Location: Seattle and Tacoma Offices
  • Minimum Age: 21
  • Position Description: Click Here to Learn More!

Getting Started: We currently have a pool of volunteers with whom we work. While this volunteer opportunity is on pause, we anticipate we’ll be looking for new volunteers in the near future. If you’d like to be placed on a waiting list when new opportunities arise, please send an email to volunteers@amarafamily.org.   

Questions?: Email us at volunteers@amarafamily.org or call/text 206.260.1700.

The Post-Adoption program has embarked on an unprecedented project – we are auditing over 3,700 of our adoption files between the years of 1950-2000 to ensure that adoptees and their birth families have received information they are entitled to but may not have seen. Read more about the project!

  • Commitment: Minimum of 12 hours per month for at least six months. We are able to accommodate most schedule requests.
  • Hours: File Auditors are needed Monday through Friday, between the hours of 8:30am – 4:00pm
  • Location: Seattle Office
  • Minimum Age: 19
  • Position Description: Read here.

Getting Started: Please set yourself up in our volunteer system using Better Impact and we look forward to speaking with you soon! If you have any questions regarding the volunteer role of File Auditor please email rena@amarafamily.org.

Questions?: Email us at volunteers@amarafamily.org or call 206.260.1700.

Amara offers a variety of different internship experiences to help you learn more about nonprofit operations, client services, donor relations, communications, event planning, and more.

To learn more about our internship opportunities and application process, please email intern@amarafamily.org.

“I feel so fortunate to work with such an amazing organization – what they do and what they stand for. I have been impressed by the staff and volunteers I have worked with.  It took me a long time to find the right place for me to volunteer. I am so happy to be able to work with Amara.” – Amara Volunteer

Volunteer Portal

Are you a current volunteerLog in to your Better Impact account to schedule shifts, view your volunteer hours, and track your volunteer requirements (including trainings). 

Related Pages

Stories & News

Learn more about our work through the words of our families, staff, and supporters.

Find Stories

Trainings & Events

Find training dates that fit your schedule and stay in the know about Amara events you can support!

Find a Training