Be an Advocate for Racial Justice
As we celebrate an anniversary, renew a commitment to building peace and friendship here are home by taking a stand for equity and justice under the law. By Jonathan Pearson We are just days away from the 60th anniversary of a moment that jump-started the establishment of the Peace Corps. At 2 a.m. on October 14, 1960, presidential candidate John F. Kennedy gave an impromptu speech outside the University of Michigan’s student union. After a day of campaigning, he didn’t expect a crowd of thousands to be waitinig, but there they were. Those familiar with the speech recall these words: "How many of you...
We’re growing to support the Peace Corps community for a changed world
Meet the newest members of our team. By Glenn Blumhorst Photo of schoolgirl in Panamá by Eli Wittum Next week we mark two days that resonate deeply with the Peace Corps community. On Monday, September 21, we celebrate the International Day of Peace. And on Tuesday, September 22, we commemorate the 59th anniversary of the passage and signing of the Peace Corps Act — the legislation that created the Peace Corps. One of its advocates in the House of Representatives was Illinois Republican Marguerite S. Church, who valued the aspiration to nurture “human dignity and confidence” around the world. But...
Protect Peace Corps’ Future. It Starts Now — with Virtual District Meetings.
How can you help? Meet with your national legislators now – virtually. By Jonathan Pearson We are entering a period where the future of the Peace Corps is on the line. The next 18 to 36 months will be crucial to the survival of the agency. Why? Peace Corps must have the necessary resources to redeploy as soon as practicable, with expedited applications for recent evacuees. Returned Peace Corps Volunteers are the most influential voices when it comes to speaking up for Peace Corps. And efforts to ensure Peace Corps’ future are ramping up now. It begins with virtual district office meetings. First up:...
Work on the Hill
Here’s how we’ve been advocating for evacuated Volunteers — and a Peace Corps in a changed world. By Jonathan Pearson and Steven Boyd Saum The coronavirus pandemic and temporary suspension of all Peace Corps programs marks the greatest existential threat to the agency in its history. When Volunteers were evacuated, they were ripped from communities with hardly any notice; in March they came back to a pandemic and an economic maelstrom. Regulations typically would not allow them to be eligible for unemployment insurance; their health insurance coverage would expire in a month. In some cases they had no home to...
Here’s a Summary of Peace Corps COVID-19 Related Legislation
Congressional response to the COVID-19 pandemic includes various legislative initiatives that fully or partially seek to support Peace Corps and the 7,300+ evacuated Volunteers. Here’s a summary of the key legislation that is currently under consideration. Support this Legislation! Follow this link to write your members of Congress in support of any/all of the following legislation. Senate Legislation Senate Bill 3700 (S. 3700) NPCA worked closely on drafting this legislation that extends the period through which evacuees could purchase Peace Corps post-service health insurance; instructs Peace Corps to reopen programs as soon as practicable and expedites redeployment of evacuees; and promotes opportunities for...
New House Legislation for Peace Corps Evacuees: Health Insurance, Helping at Home, Redeploying Overseas
New Peace Corps legislation continues to emerge to help evacuated Volunteers, this time in the House of Representatives. On April 30, Representatives Dean Phillips (D-MN) and Don Young (R-AK) announced the “Utilizing and Supporting Evacuated Peace Corps Volunteers Act,” which addresses several issues to support present and future needs of evacuated Returned Peace Corps Volunteers. The legislation is also supported by Representatives John Garamendi (D-CA), Jared Huffman (D-CA), Betty McCollum (D-MN), and Jennifer Wexton (D-VA). In a press release issued by Representative Phillips, National Peace Corps Association President Glenn Blumhorst notes that “At the heart of this legislation are initiatives to engage these volunteers in...
Labor Department Issues Unemployment Guidelines: Evacuated Peace Corps Volunteers Are Eligible
Today the U.S. Labor Department issued special unemployment guidelines which clarifies that evacuated Peace Corps Volunteers are eligible for this assistance. Given the unique circumstances of the pandemic and the projection that evacuees would be returning to a seriously contracting economy, National Peace Corps Association has advocated for some type of joblessness assistance to address this concern. The $2.2 trillion stimulus package to address the COVID-19 pandemic, approved on March 27, included a provision for “Pandemic Unemployment Assistance” (PUA). Introduced by Senator Gary Peters (D-MI), this part of the legislation created a temporary unemployment compensation program to provide federally funded benefits to people unable to...
Keep Peace Corps Independent
A Senate bill would make Peace Corps part of the State Department. Ten former Peace Corps directors write why that’s a terrible idea. Here’s the text of a letter that ten former Peace Corps directors delivered on January 7 to senators James Risch and Bob Menendez, respectively Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The goal: Keep the international perception of Peace Corps’ independence and ensure the agency’s non-political status in order for its continued success. As part of NPCA’s National Days of Action, advocates met with lawmakers to take action against this legislation. In addition to our March 5...
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...