Advocacy

Adopt an Advocate and Support the Peace Corps

By Molly Mattessich on Wednesday, March 2nd, 2011

Volunteers are stuffing folders and preparing their speeches for the special 50th Anniversary Year Day of Action that falls just 2 days after the 50th Anniversary day of the Peace Corps. On March 1, Global House Parties were held in 75 countries around the world to commemorate the 50th Anniversary. On March 3, volunteers from every country of service are going to speak to the leaders of the Federal Government who will write the future of Peace Corps with their budget decisions during this year.

Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (and even some current ones!) will walk the halls of Capitol Hill to speak with Members of Congress about their experiences in the Peace Corps and the importance of ensuring that Peace Corps is fully funded during the next Congressional session. How many individuals, you ask? Well, that depends on you.

Can you come to Capitol Hill in Washington, DC for the day tomorrow? If not, why not Adopt an Advocate? Showing your support with your spare change will truly make a difference in making change. Your donation to the Advocacy Program of the National Peace Corps Association will help to provide the materials necessary to adequately lobby for a better and bolder Peace Corps in 2011 and 2012.

Yes, I will Adopt an Advocate for Peace Corps!

In order to give other citizens the opportunity to serve in a bolder Peace Corps, you should make a $5, $25, or $50 donation to the National Peace Corps Association Advocacy program for the 50th anniversary year.

$50 for the 50th Anniversary will cover the cost of your advocate’s orientation packet, handouts for congressional meetings and an NPCA/50th anniversary tote bag to carry materials and greatly enhance the National Peace Corps Association’s exposure on Capitol Hill.

“If the president proposed a program today that was cost-effective, inspired public service, trained Americans for 21st century jobs, strengthened our interests abroad, countered anti-American propaganda and had bipartisan support, we would consider it miraculous. Yet, we already have a program that does all those things.”

This program is the Peace Corps, says Kevin Quigley in a March 1 piece on the Huffington Post.

In 2002, Sargeant Shriver said the Peace Corps should support 50,000 volunteers spread all over the world this decade. We are far short of that now. Less than 1% of this year’s foreign policy budget has been spent on the Peace Corps during the last 50 years. Shriver wanted us all to turn those big ideas of peace and binding the world together in friendship into action. There has never been a better time to take action.

Your donation right now will help cover the cost of sending an advocate to the Hill to discuss the merits of Peace Corps with the decision makers. Your help is vital to ensure that there is one more voice heard on the Hill during this pivotal time in Peace Corps’ history.

Once you make a donation, we’ll send you a brief profile of your adopted advocate!

Make your mark in Peace Corps’ history. Your support really does matter. Thank you!

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