Why Vamos?

Our mission is to build community through connection to the land and access to the outdoors.  We do this with a combination of youth programs in conjunction with avenues to wrap-around services that provide families with the resources they need to fully benefit from Vamos’ work.

At Vamos, we prioritize serving youth and families who are navigating multiple, overlapping barriers—including poverty, racism, language isolation, and exploitative labor systems. Our programs are intentionally designed to center those most impacted, using both data and deep community relationships to ensure we’re reaching the participants who will benefit most. Beyond access to the outdoors and recreation, we create culturally grounded experiences that honor the heritage, identity, and lived experiences of every youth we serve.

Invest in Belonging, Justice, and Joy —Support Latine, Migrant, and Newcomer Youth

Vamos creates spaces where young people can feel proud of who they are and where they come from. Through seven years of free programs rooted in the land, culture, and joy, we’re building a future where every youth feels like they belong. From a small participant pool to serving over 1500 youth annually, we’ve grown via simple word of mouth from those who have attended our programs, demonstrating the trust we hold in our community. Whether it's sharing meals, exploring outdoors, or simply being surrounded by people who speak a familiar language and understand your story—your direct support helps make it all possible. All of our participants are Latine, Migrant, Multilingual, and/or Newcomer youth and families—many of whom have moved in search of safety, stability, and opportunity.

Overt and covert forms of racism and racial discrimination (which have increased dramatically in this current political climate) have led to a higher number of Hispanic and Latino/a/e community members reporting suicidal thoughts and behaviors*. Taking into consideration Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE’s) and how they can permanently impact the physiology and psychology of a youth**, it is clear to conclude that now more than ever do our youth need a place where they can just be a child, despite the threat of their families being torn apart. Recent ICE raids in Bellingham have served to increase already high levels of fear and uncertainty in our community.

At Vamos Outdoors Project, we continue to provide experiences that nurture love, joy, and connection within our children by inviting them to an outdoor excursion where they are free to exist without fear.

During our Apoyo Comunitario campaign, your donation is more than a gift. It’s a stand for dignity, for cultura, and for comunidad.

Though youth programs like Vamos are instrumental for healthy development, if you would rather contribute directly to families, please consider visiting Racial Unity Now, IRIS, and Raid Relief to Reunite Families.

*Coimbra BM, Hoeboer CM, Yik J, Mello AF, Mello MF, Olff M. Meta-analysis of the effect of racial discrimination on suicidality. SSM Popul Health. 2022 Nov 3;20:101283. doi: 10.1016/j.ssmph.2022.101283. PMID: 36387016; PMCID: PMC9646655.

**Herzog JI, Schmahl C. Adverse Childhood Experiences and the Consequences on Neurobiological, Psychosocial, and Somatic Conditions Across the Lifespan. Front Psychiatry. 2018 Sep 4;9:420. doi: 10.3389/fpsyt.2018.00420. PMID: 30233435; PMCID: PMC6131660.