The Peace Corps has announced the 2014 rankings of the top volunteer-producing states and metropolitan areas across the country. The Commonwealth of Virginia jumped to No. 8 among states with the highest number of Peace Corps volunteers.
With 260 volunteers currently serving worldwide, Virginia overtook Ohio and Michigan to claim the No. 8 spot after placing tenth last year.
“Peace Corps volunteers promote a better understanding of Americans around the world by sharing their unique hometown perspective during their service,” said Peace Corps Director Carrie Hessler-Radelet. “As we forge a modern Peace Corps for modern times, we remain committed to building a volunteer force that reflects the rich diversity of our country, and doing more to recruit and retain the best and brightest across the country.”
Since the Peace Corps was established in 1961, 7,388 Virginians have traveled abroad to serve their country in the cause of peace by living and working in developing countries.
“We are thrilled to see the Commonwealth of Virginia make such a significant jump in this year’s rankings,” said Mid-Atlantic Regional manager Tina Williams. “Peace Corps volunteers around the world reflect the dedication and diversity of their home communities. Virginians are making an impact every day by meeting the needs of their host nations and fostering mutual understanding across cultures.”
Rachel Wallace of Norfolk, Va., served as a Peace Corps volunteer in Paraguay from 2012 to 2014.
“Peace Corps beckons you to burst out of your everyday life routine and enter into a completely new world in the adventure of a lifetime, to do things you never knew you were capable of doing,” said Wallace, 25, a graduate of the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg. “Peace Corps was a time of great maturation in which I learned about who I truly am and what I want to be. I was able to identify my passions in life and was bolstered with the confidence to pursue them.”
The Peace Corps has eight regional recruitment offices across the United States that work closely with prospective Peace Corps volunteers of all ages and backgrounds to ensure that all Americans who want to serve have the opportunity to do so. The Mid-Atlantic regional recruitment office serves the District of Columbia, Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia. Peace Corps recruiters are based locally throughout the region. Find the regional recruitment office near you by visiting the Peace Corps website.
