Common Cause
Returned Peace Corps Volunteers have many things in common: extraordinary experiences, deep friendships, and for many, a spirit of generosity that endures long after their service ends. Thankfully, there are dozens of RPCV groups centered around causes and shared affinities, whether empowering women or resettling refugees, which offer former Volunteers the opportunity to get involved and do what they do best: help people to help themselves. Here are five RPCV groups that illustrate the range of causes that have been taken up by the Peace Corps community. Women of Peace Corps Legacy In 1961, the only surefire way women could...
Location, Location, Location
It’s early December in northern Florida, and the parking lot at John Wesley United Methodist Church is filled with shoppers from Tallahassee and the surrounding Big Bend region. They walk the aisles learning about the 20-plus not-for-profit organizations seeking donations to support their work with the neediest. The annual Alternative Christmas Market has been going strong for the past 36 years, and the Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of North Florida (RPCV/NF) has been a key partner in this effort for the past two decades. Group members volunteer to host a table and speak with the public about Peace Corps while...
Country Connections
For many Peace Corps Volunteers, the end of service and the return to the “real world” is a double-edged sword: we’re tired of stomach viruses and happy to once again have access to sushi delivery, but we’re also committed to service and the well-being of the friends and neighbors we left behind. The deep and multifaceted connection we have to our host countries doesn’t stop when we step off the airplane upon returning home, and it’s here that country-based RPCV groups step in, helping us to keep that connection fresh and continue to make an impact long after we leave....
Group Dynamics
Serving in Peace Corps is a transformative experience that often inspires a deep desire to stay connected and continue making a difference in the world. Undoubtedly, it’s only natural for us to form communities with like-minded individuals who share this passion. Both formal and informal groups of Returned Peace Corps Volunteers have flourished ever since the first cohorts returned from their host countries in 1963. As the current Affiliate Network Group Coordinator for the National Peace Corps Association’s Board of Directors, I bring a unique perspective to this role. As a Peace Corps Volunteer in Bolivia from 2000 to 2002,...
The Power of Affiliation
NPCA President Dan Baker with members of the Chicago Area Peace Corps Association in 2023Bound by our shared commitment to global peace and understanding, I am often reminded of the immense power that lies within our collective hands. The global challenges we face today are numerous and daunting, from the pressing threats of climate change and pandemics to the rise of authoritarianism and the erosion of civil dialogue and compromise. In the face of such formidable obstacles, it is imperative that we, as RPCVs armed with a unique worldview, stand united in our resolve to promote peace, justice, and compassion...
Peacebuilding with Persistence
As the world has shifted its collective attention to conflicts in Ukraine, the Middle East, and elsewhere, it might be hard to remember that it was only two years ago that American forces withdrew from Afghanistan after more than 20 years of waging war there. For the NPCA group Friends of Afghanistan, however, the fight for women’s rights, children’s education, health equity, and fair refugee policies hasn’t stopped. In November 2023, Friends of Afghanistan proudly celebrated 61 years since the establishment of Peace Corps in Afghanistan in 1962. The program thrived for 17 years before closing its doors in 1979...
March Days of Action Include Home-Grown Advocacy
In Pittsburgh, Katie Haas Conrad (Sierra Leone 2010-12) says "We have to work to continue to educate our legislators of the importance of the (Peace Corps) or we will not be able to send professionals to interested countries." That's why for the second year in a row, Katie is spearheading a letter writing event with the Pittsburgh Area Peace Corps Association in March as part of NPCA's National Days of Action. Nearly 1,000 miles due west in Nebraska, Andrea Kruse (Bulgaria 2008-10) is making plans to organize a district meeting with the Lincoln office of Senator Ben Sasse. "Years ago...