Friends of Peace Corps to host Dec. 2 gathering

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By Jenny Marsh | Special to The PREVIEW

The Peace Corps is a federal government agency created in 1961 to, according to its website, provide “a service opportunity for motivated changemakers to immerse themselves in a community abroad, working side by side with local leaders to tackle the most pressing challenges of our generation.” 

The mission of the Peace Corps is “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 peoples served.

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

U.S. citizens live in their assigned communities in developing countries around the world and work with host country nationals in a variety of ways. Volunteers serve as teachers, community health care workers, agroforestry specialists, fish farmers, environmental educators, community economic development promoters, and water and sanitation specialists, among other things. 

There are opportunities to serve for a 27-month tour. Shorter tours and virtual service opportunities may also be available. Speak with a Peace Corps recruiter to learn more about the different ways to serve.

While the Peace Corps brought back to the United States its 6,700-plus global volunteers in March 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic, the agency is now again recruiting applicants to serve as volunteers. Interested individuals can view current openings at https://www.peacecorps.gov.

Also, they can read profiles of the countries where Peace Corps volunteers serve at https://www.peacecorps.gov/countries/. 

Former volunteers in southwest Colorado are hosting an informal happy hour event this Friday, Dec. 2, from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Alley House Grille (in the bar area) at 214 Pagosa St. (U.S. 160).

 The purpose of the event is to provide an opportunity to talk with former volunteers and friends.

All are welcome — please just show up. Look for folks wearing hats, shirts and other items identifying them as Peace Corps friends.

Please note that this is not an official Peace Corps event, just an informal gathering of supporters in southwest Colorado.