News
Here to Serve You: A Letter from Dan Baker, Global Reentry Program Director
Dear Peace Corps community, I am honored to step into the role of Program Director for NPCA’s Global Reentry program. Like so many of us, following my 4+ years of Peace Corps service (Bolivia 1999-2002, Timor-Leste 2002-2003), I distinctly remember the feeling of uncertainty and loss of community that accompanied my return to the United States. As an APCD, Director of Programming & Training and in other roles at Peace Corps HQ, I tried hard to prepare COSing Volunteers and evacuees with information and connections that would help them navigate this difficult process. Therefore, I am excited to be a...
The Toughest Evacuation You’ll Never Love
Ten Tips for Staying Mentally Resilient from a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer and Former Peace Corps Headquarters Staff Psychologist By Huong Diep So you just landed back at your home of record (or HOR in Peace Corps acronym-speak — which might not even be the place you consider home anymore) after a grueling trip that you never planned on. Perhaps you oscillated between concern for your own health, the health of your family in the United States, and the health of the new family you created in your host country. Now that the adrenaline rush of having to pack...
Record Number of Senators Sign Peace Corps Funding Letter
In face of the COVID-19 pandemic, members of the United States Senate are expressing strong long-term support for the operation and eventual re-deployment of Peace Corps Volunteers. A record 42 Senators signed an annual "Dear Colleague" letter circulated by Susan Collins (R-ME) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) asking for robust funding for Peace Corps in the next fiscal year (FY 2021) which will commence on October 1st. Written to the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee for State and Foreign Operations on March 3rd, the letter refers to Peace Corps as "an iconic and vibrant part of the American identity." You can read the full text of the...
On Capitol Hill, Peace Corps Legislation Starts to Emerge
Last week Congress approved legislation calling for $2.2 trillion in emergency stimulus—legislation that included $88 million for Peace Corps. That was the third law passed by Congress to address the coronavirus pandemic and its economic consequences. Work is now well underway on a fourth stimulus package, with more Peace Corps related legislation on the way. Peace Corps Legislation Announced National Peace Corps Association has been working closely with Congressional leaders to enhance benefits for Peace Corps Volunteers. On Friday, April 3, Senators Chris Murphy (D-CT), Susan Collins (R-ME), and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) introduced legislation that would address several key concerns of the Peace Corps...
Community Achievements – April 2020
Community News - Achievements of RPCVs Author: Peter Deekle (Iran 1968-1970) April 2020 ECUADOR Logan Marx (2015-2018) became the first Coverdell Fellow at the University of South Florida (USF) College of Nursing (Tampa) in 2019. His Coverdell service centers on a migrant farmworker community, working with elementary school-aged children. He is currently finishing his last semester in USF Nursing; he looks forward to providing critical care in an Intensive Care Unit setting. THE GAMBIA Joshua Johnson (2009-2011) developed a Facebook page for evacuated Peace Corps Volunteers. This private group now has over 9,000 members. Joshua served as an agroforestry Volunteer, working on food security as...
Peace Corps Stimulus Passes – 100,000 Messages to Congress
UPDATE: On Friday afternoon, President Trump signed into law the $2.2 trillion emergency stimulus package passed in the U.S. House of Representatives earlier in the day. Final approval of the emergency stimulus package means $88 million will be forwarded to Peace Corps to assist with the cost of evacuating 7,300 volunteers from 61 countries and support initial transition assistance. "This funding reinforces the federal commitment to the Peace Corps, and we are grateful for this action to support the agency and its Volunteers during this difficult time", said National Peace Corps Association president and CEO Glenn Blumhorst. "While this package addresses critical short-term...
In Memoriam – March 2020
We honor the lives of individuals whose service to their communities far outlived their Peace Corps service. We celebrate the work and legacies of these remarkable individuals who inspired their communities at home and abroad. Shanna (Urness) Baggaley (1937-2020) was part of the first group of Peace Corps Volunteers to serve in Thailand in 1961. She taught ESL through adult learning both in service and following her return to northern California. She continued her service to her community by working as the assistant director of a county department, Community Partnership Agency, that facilitated training and educational programs. She was a panelist within the Neighborhood...
Peace Corps evacuated all 7,300 of its volunteers due to coronavirus. They need immediate help.
On Saturday, March 21, 2020, the Chicago Tribune published an OpEd by NPCA president and CEO Glenn Blumhorst. In the article, Glenn urges Congress to include Peace Corps in its appropriations to cover evacuation costs and the eventual rehiring and redeployment of many of the current volunteers who wish to return to their countries once the crisis is over. In addition, he details the type of immediate assistance evacuated volunteers will need, including: Adequate coverage for physical and mental health Support in finding work in their U.S. communities here so they can apply their special skill sets to help their communities overcome this...
New Action to Congress: Protect Peace Corps and Support Evacuees
As Congress continues to develop legislation to provide emergency relief related to the coronavirus, it is imperative that the needs of Peace Corps - and its approximately 7,000 evacuated volunteers - are also taken into account. Your Action is Urgently Needed: National Peace Corps Association posted this new action which is directed at all Senators and members of the House of Representatives. The action urges financial support for Peace Corps to cover the extraordinary costs associated with the global suspension of programs. It also urges support to address the many financial, health and other support needs evacuated volunteers are facing as they come home....
A Message from NPCA President Glenn Blumhorst to Peace Corps Evacuees
Through your personal stories and photos shared by social media over the last few days, an entire Peace Corps community has vicariously lived the shocking reality of 7,000+ serving PCVs evacuating from communities in 60 countries around the world. This traumatic interruption of service is not the way a PCV envisions service to end - with unfinished projects, unsung farewells, unrung COS bells, and unsaid goodbyes. To the PCV evacuees, my heartfelt sympathy. I share your grief. As you return home, know that there is an empathetic and caring Peace Corps community awaiting you with a collective virtual embrace. We are thousands of returned Peace Corps Volunteers (including many whose service had also been cut...