Friends & Family

There are many benefits to post-graduate volunteer service and leadership development. For one, fellows are placed in professional positions where they gain hands-on experience and learn the rigors and expectations of employment, giving them an edge in finding their next job. Employers are especially interested in applicants with significant volunteer and leadership experience. Also, employees with volunteer experience tend to outpace their non-volunteer counterparts in terms of future earning potential. Finally, Amate House fellows will develop a network of professionals in their desired field to leverage for future career opportunities and mentorship.

Here are a few more benefits of volunteering as a fellow with Amate House:

• Fellows gain access to Amate House’s network of more than 800 alumni who provide professional support, job coaching, employment referrals, and more.
• Fellows receive profound spiritual formation during their service year. They participate in retreats and have weekly opportunities to reflect and grow spiritually with their housemates and discern what role faith plays in their life.
• Fellows receive tremendous support from the community in which they live. Fellows often remark that living in a community with strangers is the most challenging, yet rewarding volunteer experience.
• The Amate House staff members support fellows throughout their service and are available daily to guide, advise, and mediate issues within the community as well as challenge fellows to live with intentionality.

The basic living expenses of fellows are all covered by Amate House, including rent, utilities, food stipend, transportation, health insurance and a personal monthly allowance. Having said that, fellows commit themselves to living simply and are strongly encouraged to live within their means. As a community, fellows make smart decisions on how to collectively spend their food allowance and learn to manage a small budget. Upon completion of their service year, fellows receive a close of service stipend to help them as they transition to employment or graduate school.

During the service year, fellows are eligible for deferment or forbearance of most federal student loans. And if needed, Amate House assists fellows with their loan deferment application. Learn more about student loan repayment on our Helpful Information page.

Upon completion of the service year, fellows will receive the Segal AmeriCorps Education Award which can be used to repay qualified student loans or to pay education expenses at eligible post-secondary institutions. For more information, visit the AmeriCorps Website.

Living simply is integral to the fellows’ experience at Amate House. It means getting along and deeply communicating with others and not being dependent on things. Fellows learn what it means to truly be grateful for the blessings in life. Living simply gives fellows an opportunity to reflect upon what really matters to them.

Quite the opposite. We do still live in a technological age, so fellows will have Wi-Fi access. However, fellows are asked to reflect on how having a cell phone or laptop will affect their service year experience, which is why we recommend fellows use technology with prudence.

Amate House provides health insurance for fellows during their term of service through Christian Brothers Services. The health insurance covers medical and prescription benefits, but does not include vision or dental coverage. Amate House also provides a small stipend for co-pay costs. Fellow health insurance runs from September 1 to June 30. We ask that fellows remain on their family insurance plans if they are able to do so.

Demands during a fellow’s service year can be challenging, which is why Amate House recommends self-care and stress management. If necessary, staff members encourage fellows to seek mental health services. Amate House maintains a list of mental health providers in the Chicago area, and fellows are free to seek professional services.

The safety of our fellows is our top priority. Safety measures and emergency guidelines are reviewed during orientation and throughout the service year. Fellows are encouraged to use common sense, take necessary precautions and always be aware of their surroundings.

Absolutely! Visits provide a glimpse into the fellow’s experience. We encourage fellows to invite their friends and families to their community and site placements. Amate House asks that friends and families refrain from visiting during the critical first month. This is when fellows are bonding and getting acclimated to their community.

We more than understand you may want to support fellows with gifts during their service year. We respectfully request that you consider sending care packages that can be shared with the whole community.

Fellows will experience a variety of new and interesting things during their service. They may want to process these new experiences with you. We encourage you to stay in touch with fellows as often as needed. You can be of help during the service year by lending a listening ear, showing interest in their work and community, and helping them process meaning in their new experiences. Amate House also encourages fellows to share their experiences through writing letters, blogging and sending emails to friends and family members. We will also post fellows’ stories to our blog.