May 27, 2008 

"A lot of my applicants are in their 60s and 70s ands they are very young at heart and they know they can do it and they want to do it." Linda Tucker Peace Corp volunteer & recruiter

SPREADING PEACE … AT ANY AGE!

BACKGROUND: The Peace Corps can trace its roots back to a specific time and place. At 2:00am on October 14, 1960, President John F. Kennedy stood on the steps of the University of Michigan Union. He gave a speech challenging students to give two years of their lives to help people in developing countries who were in need. From that inspiration grew an agency of the American government dedicated to the spread of peace and friendship throughout the world. The Peace Corps' mission has three simple goals: 

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

3. Helping promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans. 

THE CORPS TODAY: Since it's start, the Peace Corps has sent over 190,000 volunteers to 139 different countries to work on issues ranging from AIDS education to information technology. Currently there are 8,079 volunteers working from 68 posts.

JOINING LATER IN LIFE: Many older volunteers find their age to be an asset while serving. Seniors who volunteer will have the opportunity to share a lifetime of work and wisdom with people of developing nations who respect and appreciate age. And because there's no upper age limit to serve, it's never too late. 

GETTING STARTED: Serving in the Peace Corps is a 27-month commitment that takes determination, flexibility, patients and a sense of humor. The first step towards joining the Peace Corps is filling out an application, after that a recruiter will contact you for an interview. Once you're interviewed you'll need to get a medical and legal clearance, then you'll be selected based on your skills and suitability. If you are selected you will then be placed.