Peace Corps Welcomes Older Adult Volunteers

The Peace Corps' Seattle Regional Office frequently gets the question, "Isn't Peace Corps just for people right out of college?"  On the contrary, volunteers over 50 have a wealth of experience to bring to Peace Corps and are considered highly valuale contributors to the Peace Corps mission.  Indeed, an increasing number of men and women have found retirement to be the perfect time to join the Peace Corps.

Since Peace Corps' inception in 1961, the percentage of volunteers over 50 has risen from 1% to 9%.  The oldest volunteer ever to serve actually served twice, first in the Philippines during the 1970s and again in Hungary from 1991-1994; he was 86 years old by the end of his second tour of service.

Part of the reason why an increasing number of older adults are volunteering is that Americans are living longer, healthier lives.  Retirees often find they have decades of good health ahead of them and plenty of time for a two-year term of service in the Peace Corps.

Fo you know any older adults who are looking for ways to make their retirement years meaningful and exciting?  Please encourage them to contact the Seattle Regional Office at (800) 424-8580, option 1, to talk about what opportunities await them.  Peace Corps currently has programs in business, agriculture, education, health, and the environment.

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Last modified: Sunday February 22, 2004