NPCA Statement on Current Conflicts in Israel
We at NPCA do not condone civilian deaths in any form, and we mourn the lost lives of the Israelis and Palestinians killed in last week's attacks. (more…)
Explore Videos from the NPCA’s Virtual Peace Corps Connect 2023
On September 8–9, National Peace Corps Association hosted a virtual two-day conference — Peace Corps Connect 2023. Here are videos and resources from the event. By NPCA Staff On Friday, September 8 and Saturday, September 9, NPCA hosted more than 400 members of the Peace Corps community for Peace Corps Connect 2023. During our virtual conference, NPCA Board of Directors and staff showcased updates on NPCA achievements; the latest developments in a key continuation of service initiative; and the three Loret Miller Ruppe Award finalists, along with NPCA's inaugural Lifetime Achievement Award given to John Coyne and Marian Haley Beil for producing the Peace Corps Worldwide blog. We were privileged to receive updates from RPCV Congressman John Garamendi (D-CA) on Peace...
New NPCA Board Directors Announced
New NPCA Board Directors Summary 2023 By Dan Baker I am thrilled to introduce the forthcoming additions to NPCA's Board of Directors. With the unprecedented participation of 1,267 voters, our membership has effectively filled five vacant positions for member-elected seats on the board. Moreover, the governance committee has thoughtfully selected five candidates from the ballot to occupy open member and board-elected seats, for an expanded total of 21 board directors. Get to know our ten new directors below. Each of these individuals brings a unique set of skills, experiences, and perspectives that will undoubtedly enrich our organization's efforts and contribute to our ongoing success. We are very...
Recommended Groups Supporting Relief Efforts in Maui
We at NPCA express our heartfelt appreciation to the Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of Hawai’i for their exceptional dedication in supporting the victims of the recent fire in Maui. Their willingness to step forward during times of crisis exemplifies the core principles of empathy and service that the Peace Corps embodies. Mahalo for being a shining example of unity and assistance in the face of adversity. We have received a list of recommended organizations supporting relief efforts from RPCVs in Hawai’i where you can send contributions if you wish. Here is a list of groups recommended by the Returned Peace...
Partnering, with People
Peace Corps 2.0 is a P2P Endeavor By Dan Baker Following the reintroduction of the Peace Corps Reauthorization Act in Congress last March—on Peace Corps’ birthday no less—hundreds of NPCA members rallied around our National Day of Advocacy, including visits to nearly every office in the House and Senate. The same day we visited the Hill, President Biden introduced his 2024 federal budget, including an increase of $65 million for the Peace Corps. The proven impact of these advocacy efforts affirms our commitment to helping Peace Corps be the best it can be. While Peace Corps is now back in, or...
Found Objects: Two Medical Kits Filched from the Field
By David Arnold To assure that Volunteers had ready access to emergency medicine in the world’s remote and sometimes dangerous places, the U.S. Public Health Service issued medical kits to all serving Volunteers for their personal use. Thirty-five items were packed in each metal box. Contents included 100 Aralen tablets, 100 water purification tablets, 25 Band-aids, a small tube of Neosporin ointment, a thermometer, two ounces in insect repellant, a snake bite kit, a tourniquet, 50 tablets of Gantrisin, and five safety razor blades. Peace Corps prohibited Volunteers who had no training from using any of the kit’s contents to...
Mental Health Hurdles
Peace Corps Applicants with mental health conditions face an uphill battle By Greg Emerson Serving in the Peace Corps is hard. It’s right there in the tagline: “The toughest job you’ll ever love.” Arguably, the single most important trait of a Peace Corps Volunteer is the grit it takes to overcome the many challenges of working in a resource-poor environment. Since the COVID-19 pandemic began turning lives upside down, more people than ever before have seen their resilience tested. The impact of the pandemic on mental health has been significant across the board, but especially for the young Americans who...
Doubling Down on the Future
After leading the agency through unprecedented times, Peace Corps’ 21st Director Carol Spahn is sworn into office. Now she affirms her priority of investing in youth empowerment. By Tiffany James As a Volunteer serving in Romania after the fall of communism, Peace Corps Director Carol Spahn worked with entrepreneurs who wanted to start businesses during a time when the country was shifting toward a market economy. Nearly 30 years later, she was sworn in to lead the Peace Corps as its 21st director and seventh woman director on January 11, 2023. After serving as Acting Director since January 2021, Spahn’s nomination was...
A Walk in the Peace Corps Park
At last, we’ll create a permanent space in the nation’s capital recognizing the work and ideals that animate Volunteers and their partners around the world. by Roger Lewis and Glenn Blumhorst When scores of members of the Peace Corps community visited Congress in March 2022 for the National Peace Corps Association (NPCA) Day on the Hill, those who made their way on foot from Union Station southwest toward the U.S. Capitol might have passed a spot that will soon symbolize the very Peace Corps ideals they hold dear. Just steps from the National Mall, in a triangular park bounded by...