You may call us anytime at (773)376-2445 to request an application.  If leaving a message, please leave your full address with zip code and a phone number where you can be reached. 

Amate House fills its available volunteer positions on a rolling basis. Once we receive an application we begin to process it and will contact the candidate to follow up about scheduling an interview. In-person interviews will begin in December, and phone interviews will start in January.  Early applications are recommended for priority site placement.  The priority deadline is April 1st.  A waiting list is typically started by the beginning of April, so we are encouraging prospective volunteers to apply early!

Amate House is currently specifically designed as a program to serve young adults.  Prospective volunteers for the full-time volunteer houses should have a college degree or equivalent life experience.  Furthermore, prospective volunteers should be open and interested in living in community, with a commitment to live simply, to share and explore their faith life, and to serve in the inner-city of Chicago.  Amate House is an agency of the Catholic Archdiocese of Chicago.  Volunteers need not be Catholic, but they must exhibit a willingness and commitment to participate in a Catholic program. 

We process applications and do interviews on a rolling basis, beginning with in-person interviews in December, and usually running into the first part of June. We encourage potential volunteers to come to Chicago to interview, because it offers the possibility of meeting us and some of our volunteers, seeing our program, the city and possibly some volunteer sites.  However, phone interviews are also a possibility where travel to Chicago is not feasible. Phone interviews will begin in January.

In order to make these selections, several factors are considered, such as:  readiness for community living, commitment to a personal faith journey and openness to personal growth, past experience with volunteer service, willingness to work with others of different cultural, ethnic and socioeconomic backgrounds, commitment to social justice, and openness to living simply.  As the volunteer houses are filled each year, we also consider the balance of personalities in the group of accepted volunteers.

Once a volunteer is accepted into Amate House, we begin the site selection process.  Based on their preferences and skills, the volunteer chooses from a list of our service sites, and then site interviews are set up with at least 3 possible sites.  The site interview process continues until a good match is found, that is, when both the incoming volunteer and the site are excited about the prospects of working together. Again, we encourage volunteers to come to Chicago to do the site interviews, in order to get a first-hand experience of the site and the people who work there. Phone interviews are also possible if travel to Chicago is not feasible. However, there are a few sites that require in person interviews.

 Amate House volunteers work in both elementary and high schools, parishes, and social service agencies throughout Chicago.   A site placement list will be emailed to volunteers upon acceptance.

We strongly encourage prospective volunteers to come to Chicago to interview, simply because it offers the possibility of meeting us, seeing the living space, and possibly even a few sites, first-hand.  However, we understand that travel is not always financially feasible, and so phone interviews are also possible.

 Each Amate House volunteer receives 2 weeks of vacation (10 days) between August and June.  The vacation can be taken, for the most part, at any time, provided arrangements are worked out with the volunteer site placement and the Amate House staff.   Typically, those working on school calendars take their two weeks during the Christmas/New Year's break.  Other volunteers have chosen to stay over the holidays and haven taken their vacation at other points during the year.

We highly encourage volunteers to be in community, especially at the beginning of the year. Generally, leaving for a weekend is not a problem for Amate House Volunteers.   However, a few factors must be considered on any given weekend in discerning whether going away would be wise and acceptable.  First, some sites require occasional or regular work on weekends.  Second, you will be living in community, and the only way relationships are built and fostered is by spending time together.  Leaving on weekends can potentially compromise a commitment to community.  Third, occasional Amate House events are scheduled on weekend days.  These dates are typically given out at the beginning of the volunteer year.  In any case, volunteers are encouraged to check their work and Amate House calendars, as well as to confer with their fellow community members when making plans to leave for the weekend.

 The Amate Houses North and South, as well as Little Village, are former convent buildings and rectories that housed religious sisters and priests working in nearby schools and parishes.  They are large with individual bedrooms, and common bathrooms, shower rooms, kitchens, dining rooms and living rooms.  Individual rooms typically have a bed, nightstand, chair, closet, sink and mirror.   

Amate House encourages the effort to live more simply primarily as a way to prompt deeper reflection on faith, lifestyle choices, and the effects of living in a wealthy, consumer culture, as well as to encourage solidarity with those whom we serve during the year.   The commitment to live more simply during the year typically will have implications for how money is spent individually and communally, how time is spent, and what values are lived out and reflected in the communal life.

 Volunteers who complete a year at Amate House often say that their experience of living in community with other volunteers was the most unexpectedly rewarding part of the year… and also the most challenging.  Living together with peers that you have not chosen to live with – and learning to love and appreciate them for who they are - can be immensely challenging and surprisingly rewarding for the one who is open to the learning and the gifts that community living brings. Developing deep, transparent and mutual relationships is a lot of fun AND a lot of hard work.  The relationships, experiences and skills that arise out of the commitment to "do community well" last a lifetime. In addition, the community that surrounds you as a volunteer at Amate House will be your sounding board, your support, and your constant dialogue partner to enable the most fruitful year possible.

 Amate House covers the transportation of volunteers to their volunteer work sites.  Amate House owns some vehicles for volunteer transportation.  Many volunteers also take public transportation to and from work.

 Each volunteer community works together to plan its menu and shopping choices.  There are typically a number of vegetarians or those with specific food needs among the group of volunteers, and arrangements are worked out among the community to attend to those particular needs and cravings!

 Each Amate House volunteer receives a monthly stipend of $100, as well as a year-end, one-time stipend of $500.   The volunteer's room and board, food, health insurance, and transportation to and from work are provided by Amate House; stipend money does not need to be used for these purposes.  Stipend money is usually used by volunteers to pay cell phone bills, personal use of Amate House cars, purchases which are strictly for personal use, and for socializing. 

 In general, as with life in any urban setting, a basic awareness of oneself and one's surroundings, and a little common sense, go a long way towards making a person much safer.

 Amate House has a number of events outside the normal calendar, such as workshops, fundraisers, and other social or holiday activities.  These events are on the calendar well in advance.