Director Ron Tschetter Unveils Site Designed for Older Americans

Washington, D.C. - Peace Corps Director Ron Tschetter today announced the Peace Corps 50+ website at the AARP Annual Convention in Boston. As part of the Director's initiative to recruit "Baby Boomer" Volunteers, today he unveiled the Peace Corps' first website geared specifically for older Americans interested in volunteer service. Please visit the New 50+ Web Site to learn more.

Director Tschetter said, "I'm proud of the new, interactive website devoted to 50+ Americans. Providing access to information about life in the Peace Corps is an important component of our initiative to attract this experienced and skilled population, and a great way to inform them about the meaningful and rewarding opportunities of service."

The 50+ website provides potential Peace Corps Volunteers with interactive information, profiles of 50+ Volunteers, and answers to pertinent questions about becoming a Volunteer at an older age. Some of the topics covered on the site include pre-departure medical evaluations, health insurance, retirement benefits, and serving with a spouse. Additionally, the website features profiles, photos, and videos of past and current 50+ Peace Corps Volunteers. These profiles provide a way for prospective 50+ Volunteers to better understand how they can use their skills and experience while gaining the enriching and rewarding experience of service in the Peace Corps.

The Peace Corps main website draws over 8 million visitors a year. In addition to the main site and the new 50+ site, the Peace Corps maintains a website for kids (www.peacecorps.gov/kids), a website for teachers (www.peacecorps.gov/wws), as well as a website for teens which was released in July 2007 (www.peacecorps.gov/teens).

Today, 7,749 Americans serve in the Peace Corps. Of that total, five percent of the Volunteers currently serving are aged 50 or older. The Peace Corps regards older Volunteers as a great asset, bringing both their professional and life experiences to help countries around the world meet their development needs. Volunteers over age 50 are currently serving in 66 of the 73 Peace Corps countries.

The Peace Corps is celebrating a 46-year legacy of service at home and abroad, and a 30-year high for Volunteers in the field. Since 1961, more than 187,000 Volunteers have helped promote a better understanding between Americans and the people of the 139 countries where Volunteers have served. Peace Corps Volunteers must be U.S. citizens and at least 18 years of age. Peace Corps service is a 27-month commitment.

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