The Office of Volunteers for Prosperity (VfP Office) at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) today released its latest Annual Report summarizing progress achieved through September 30, 2007, noting significant gains in international voluntary service and highlighting the service projects of skilled Americans supporting those in need throughout the world.

“The results in this report show a sustained and impressive response to President Bush’s call to service by American professionals,” said Jack Hawkins, Director of the VfP Office. “As the initiative enters its fifth year, there are now 244 partners offering over 35,000 opportunities for skilled American volunteers.”

In explaining VfP’s mission and objectives to encourage international voluntary service by American professionals to advance U.S. goals for global health and prosperity, the 2007 Annual Report includes volunteer success stories; an overview of recent activities and new opportunities; an update of the seven presidential initiatives comprising the U.S. global health and prosperity agenda; and a section that recognizes VfP volunteers honored with the President’s Volunteer Service Award.

Highlights of the report which covers the federal fiscal year (FY) from October 1, 2006 to September 30, 2007 include:

• During FY 2007, VfP partners reported deploying more than 34,000 volunteers, over 60 percent more than the FY 2006 total of 21,000.
      
• The pool of highly skilled American professionals available through VfP partners grew from nearly 285,000 in FY 2006 to more than 355,000 in FY 2007.
      
• Between FY 2006 and FY 2007, the number of volunteer opportunities reported by VfP partners rose from just over 30,000 to more than 34,000.
      
• VfP partners honored over 1000 volunteers with the President’s Volunteer Service Award.

The VfP initiative, which marked its 4th anniversary on September 25th, was established by President George W. Bush through Executive Order 13317 to encourage highly skilled American professionals to serve overseas as volunteers supporting the U.S. agenda for global health and prosperity.

The VfP Office serves as interagency coordinator for the initiative. In addition to USAID, other federal agencies supporting the initiative are the departments of State, Health and Human Services, and Commerce.

The full report is available online at www.volunteersforprosperity.gov.  For a printed version, email volunteersforprosperity@usaid.gov or call 202-712-1010.

Volunteers for Prosperity was established by Executive Order 13317 on September 25, 2003. VfP works with leading U.S. non-profits and companies to deploy highly skilled American professionals in volunteer opportunities that support the global health and prosperity goals of the U.S. Government. VfP is part of the USA Freedom Corps, the White House’s coordinating council on volunteerism. For more information, please visit http://www.volunteersforprosperity.gov.

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