News
Holiday Gift Ideas that Support the Peace Corps Community from Three RPCV Entrepreneurs Doing Good
Chocolate + Superfoods + Beauty Products — and ways to support the Peace Corps community. Shop at Beyond Good, Kuli Kuli, and Shea Yeleen through December 5 and NPCA will receive 20 percent of the online sales. By NPCA Staff This holiday season, treat friends, family, and yourself to some delicious treats and handcrafted beauty products — from a few RPCV entrepreneurs who have been inspired by Peace Corps service to shape successful businesses. Stock up on their products through December 5 and help support the Peace Corps community. Inspired by founder Tim McCollum’s Peace Corps experience in Madagascar, BEYOND...
Peace Corps Achievements — December 2021
News and updates from the Peace Corps community — across the country, around the world, and spanning generations of returned Volunteers and staff. By Peter Deekle (Iran 1968–70) Katrina Fotovat is appointed Senior Official to the Secretary of State in the Office of Global Women’s Issues. Dr. Patrick Gonzalez, Assistant Director for Climate and Biodiversity by the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), helps lead efforts to combat climate change. Newly published books, such as Elana Hohl’s (pictured) collection of letters documenting her Peace Corps service. Recognizing gender equity public health initiatives. Expanding research on ocean sustainability. Have news to share with the Peace Corps community? Let...
November Update: Important Peace Corps Funding Letter Circulating in the House, Calling for Robust Funding to Make Reforms and Meet the Needs of a Changed World
While the House and the Senate seek to reconcile funding recommendations, Rep. Betty McCollum calls on colleagues to back $430.5 million in Peace Corps funding. This increase is crucial for ensuring that the Peace Corps returns to the field better than before, she says, while also making crucial and long overdue reforms. By Jonathan Pearson On Capitol Hill, Senate and House negotiators are trying to reconcile differences in their recommendations for federal spending for the new fiscal year (FY 2022). Their timeline to reconcile differences was extended when Congress voted keep the government funded at current levels through February 18,...
In Memoriam – November 2021
As we mourn the loss of members of the Peace Corps community, we celebrate the lives they led with a commitment to service. By Molly O'Brien and Caitlin Nemeth Photo: William Dennis Grubb (1941–2021), whom Sargent Shriver called “one of the first and one of the best” Volunteers. Our tributes include Dennis Grubb, whose life was profoundly changed by Peace Corps service — and who devoted decades to Peace Corps ideals. We remember Susan Neyer, who led as NPCA board chair and served the Peace Corps community for many decades. A physician and CEO of Tufts Health Plan. A social worker and a dedicated...
Peace Corps Releases Sexual Assault Advisory Council Report — Sweeping in Scope, with 26 Specific Recommendations
The council reviewed recommendations from the past five years. And they have staked out the need to create tools, systems, processes, and positions. It’s an outline for work ahead and lays out timetables for actions that need to be taken. By Rachel Edwards and Jonathan Pearson On November 10 the Peace Corps agency released a report prepared by the Peace Corps’ Sexual Assault Advisory Council. Half a year in the making, the report tackles an issue that made headlines this past spring and caught the attention of members of Congress. The report was requested by Peace Corps Acting Director Carol...
Peace Corps Hearing in the House: Budget, Programs, and When Volunteers Will Return Overseas
Takeaways from the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee hearing on October 27, 2021 Words by Jonathan Pearson Transcript editing by Rachel Edwards Video editing by Orrin Luc Acting Peace Corps Director Carol Spahn appeared before the House Foreign Affairs Committee on October 27, 2021, for a hearing on Peace Corps’ operations. Spahn fielded a range of questions, including diversity initiatives, recruitment strategies, decolonizing U.S. foreign assistance, and — not surprising — the status of redeployment of Volunteers internationally. Along with the Peace Corps, the three hour hearing also included representatives of the Millenium Challenge Corporation and the U.S. International...
Peace Corps Achievements — November 2021
News and updates from the Peace Corps community — across the country, around the world, and spanning generations of returned Volunteers and staff. By Peter V. Deekle (Iran 1968–70) Ambassador Donald Lu (pictured) confirmed as Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs. Gary M. Restaino nominated to be U.S. Attorney for Arizona. Women advancing in medicine and business. New books. Honoring an early Volunteer for outstanding contributions to the community. Nonprofit leaders research clean energy and financial empowerment. Have news to share with the Peace Corps community? Let us know. BOLIVIA Ken Culver (1965–67) has been inducted into the Central Ohio Senior...
Action Alert: Let’s Make sure Congress Supports House Efforts to Fund Peace Corps to Meet the Needs of a Changed World
The House of Representatives proposes robust Peace Corps funding of $430.5 million. But Senate Appropriations proposes flat funding of $410.5 million that lacks support for needed reforms. Now’s the time for the Peace Corps community to take action. By Jonathan Pearson As Congress continues to work on federal spending packages for the fiscal year that began October 1, 2021, a disagreement on the spending level for the Peace Corps has emerged between the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. This week, the Senate Appropriations Committee released its remaining funding bills for FY 2022. Along with a lower recommendation than...
In Memoriam – October 2021
As we mourn the loss of members of the Peace Corps community, we celebrate the lives they led with a commitment to service. By Molly O’Brien and Caitlin Nemeth Photo: Anne Hughes — activist and arts patron whose dedication and service led to the city of Portland establishing Anne Hughes Day in recognition of her civic contributions. Our tributes include a spirited arts champion and a power lawyer. A former Peace Corps India staff member and a public servant. A physician who dedicated his life to others and a leader in the Florida Peace Corps community. Several teachers and professors. We honor the wide range...
Peace Corps Achievements — October 2021
News and updates from the Peace Corps community — across the country, around the world, and spanning generations of returned Volunteers and staff. By Peter Deekle (Iran 1968–70) Lisa Woodson (pictured) is working with Indigenous populations in the Amazon basin on health research. A new film produced by Bryn Mooser on the 2021 Refugee Olympic Team. Entrepreneurial success. Honoring an advocate for the land. Have news to share with the Peace Corps community? Let us know. AFGHANISTAN W. Brunhofer has recently released Dancing with Angels: Songs and Poems from the Millennium. The exploration of poetry is produced by Christian Faith Publishing. From Shakespeare to Yeats, Brunhofer explores favorite poems of inspiration...