Former Peace Corps Directors Call on Senate to Pass the Peace Corps Reauthorization Act
In a bipartisan show of support, ten former Peace Corps Directors who have served under Republican and Democratic administrations alike call on the Senate to pass the Peace Corps Reauthorization Act. The most sweeping Peace Corps legislation in a generation, it would bring important reforms and support for Volunteers as the agency seeks to meet the needs of a changed world. Press Release Today, 10 former Peace Corps Directors who served in both Republican and Democratic administrations sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), calling on them to pass the Peace Corps Reauthorization...
From Stuttering Kid to International Serial Entrepreneur
RPCV Craig Chavis Jr. overcame a severe speech impediment and the loss of his football dreams to find his calling in entrepreneurship — and his Peace Corps service played a crucial role in laying the groundwork. By Tiffany James As Holistic Business Coach and Founder of the Solo Creator Club, Craig Chavis Jr. (Peru 2014–16), helps entrepreneurs and creators start and grow profitable businesses. One of the tools he uses to achieve this mission is his book Burdens of a Dream, which not only serves as a wisdom guide for entrepreneurs but also a memoir exploring the life experiences, Peace Corps service, and business ventures that shaped...
Legislative Win in Colorado Grants All Returned Peace Corps Volunteers In-State Tuition
A Colorado bill was signed into law to address a major inequity: qualification for in-state tuition. Now RPCVs will qualify regardless of where they lived prior to their service. By the RPCVs of Colorado In April of 2022, National Peace Corps Association (NPCA) highlighted the work done by the Peace Corps community in Maryland to pass a law to give in-state tuition to Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs) in their state. This story inspired Sarah LaBounty (Romania 2011–13) to contact her state representative about passing similar legislation. On April 11, 2023, Governor Jared Polis signed a bill into law to grant all RPCVs, regardless of where they lived...
National Days of Advocacy: Voices from a Team of Peace Corps Advocates
On Capitol Hill Advocacy Day, a team of five RPCVs visited six congressional offices to urge lawmakers to support the Peace Corps. Hear what they had to say about why they advocate for the Peace Corps. By Tiffany James As part of NPCA's National Days of Advocacy 2023, 120 Peace Corps advocates from 30 states and the District of Columbia returned to Washington, D.C., for an in-person Capitol Hill Advocacy Day on March 9. Grouped into 27 teams, the advocates spent about eight hours meeting with more than 160 congressional offices in support of the Peace Corps. Among the groups was Team 18, which included Flavio...
Peace Corps Reauthorization Act Re-introduced in Senate
Senators Robert Menendez, Jim Risch, and colleagues have reintroduced the Peace Corps Reauthorization Act of 2023. If passed, this would be the first comprehensive reauthorization of the Peace Corps agency for the first time in over 20 years. By Jonathan Pearson On Wednesday, April 19, Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and James Risch (R-ID), the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, re-introduced the Peace Corps Reauthorization Act (S. 1203), which would be the first comprehensive reauthorization of the Peace Corps in over twenty years. “Today, we’re reintroducing legislation that will reauthorize the Sexual Assault Advisory Council, mandate security briefings, improve whistleblower...
The Future that Almost Was
The Peace Corps Reauthorization Act was the most sweeping legislation in a generation. It passed the House and was on the verge of success in the Senate when the clock ran out. Here’s why that matters. By Jonathan Pearson, Joel Rubin, and Steven Boyd Saum Just as Peace Corps Volunteers began returning to service overseas in 2022, legislation moved forward in Congress that was meant to bolster a renewed, revitalized, and reshaped Peace Corps. In the House, the Peace Corps Reauthorization Act (H.R. 1456) was introduced by RPCV Rep. John Garamendi (D-CA) and Rep. Garret Graves (R-LA). It won...
UPDATE: Here Are More than 40 Countries Where Peace Corps Volunteers Have Returned to Service. And More Where They Have Been Invited to Return.
Hundreds of Volunteers are now serving alongside communities across the globe. And later this month, the first group of Volunteers ever is expected to arrive in Viet Nam. By Dan Baker Image courtesy Peace Corps Peace Corps Volunteers are returning to serve alongside communities throughout the world. Hundreds of Volunteers have returned to more than 40 countries around the globe, with more returning in the weeks ahead. In the past couple weeks alone, in South America, Volunteers have returned to serve alongside communities in Guyana. They have arrived in South Africa. And they have returned to Mongolia. These Volunteers’ work with local...
Former Peace Corps Directors Call on Senate to Pass the Peace Corps Reauthorization Act
In a bipartisan show of support, ten former Peace Corps Directors who have served under Republican and Democratic administrations alike call on the Senate to pass the Peace Corps Reauthorization Act. The most sweeping Peace Corps legislation in a generation, it would bring important reforms and support for Volunteers as the agency seeks to meet the needs of a changed world. Press Release Today, 10 former Peace Corps Directors who served in both Republican and Democratic administrations sent a letter to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), calling on them to pass the Peace Corps Reauthorization Act (S....
The Campaign to Pass the Peace Corps Reauthorization Act
Following on big news from the Senate, let’s ensure that Congress passes the most sweeping Peace Corps legislation in a generation. By Jonathan Pearson In these times when division and discord define politics across the nation, recent months tell a different story when it comes to support for the Peace Corps. Democrats and Republicans in both the House and the Senate have come together to bring forth meaningful bipartisan legislation. On June 23, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee introduced the Peace Corps Reauthorization Act of 2022 (S. 4466). Led by Chair Robert Menendez (D-NJ) and Ranking Member James Risch (R-ID), the bill had six bipartisan...