The Peace Corps provides communities abroad with sustainable solutions by sharing America’s most precious resource – its people.
Peace Corps service is people-to-people public service and citizen diplomacy at the grassroots level. Volunteers work to develop sustainable solutions that address challenges in the following areas:

  • Agriculture
  • Community economic development
  • Education
  • Environment
  • Health
  • Youth development.

Through their service, volunteers return home as global citizens with new perspectives. They gain cross-cultural, leadership, language, teaching and community development skills that give them a competitive edge for advanced education and job opportunities in today’s global economy.

Peace Corps Then & Now

Peace Corps was officially established by executive order by President John F. Kennedy on March 1, 1961, and authorized by the U.S. Congress through the Peace Corps Act of September 22. 1961.

To this day, more than 225,000 Americans have served in 141 countries.

For over five decades, Peace Corps Volunteers have served their country by living and working in communities across the globe. In an ever-changing world, the agency has become a dynamic, forward leaning champion for international service defined by its innovation and compassion. Although times have changed since the Peace Corps’ founding in 1961, the agency’s mission has not:

To promote world peace and friendship by fulfilling three goals:

  1. To help the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women
  2. To help promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the people served
  3. To help promote a better understanding of other people on the part of Americans.

Peace Corps Service

Peace Corps Volunteers live and work alongside the people they serve. They collaborate with local governments, schools, communities, small businesses, and entrepreneurs to create sustainable, community based projects that address changing and complex needs across six sectors and Peace Corps Response.

Volunteers

Volunteers’ health, safety, and security are the Peace Corps’ highest priorities. The Peace Corps is committed to providing Volunteers with the training, guidance, and support they need to stay healthy, safe, and productive throughout their service. Volunteers …

  • Serve for two years following three months of in-country training
  • Receive a living allowance to live similarly to the people in their community
  • Receive medical and dental care during service
  • Must be U.S. citizens
  • Must be at least 18 years old