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Peace Corps, AARP Promote Service Opportunities for More Americans

WASHINGTON, D.C., November 14, 2011 The Peace Corps and AARP announced a new relationship to encourage more service opportunities in the United States and abroad for older Americans. Currently, seven percent of Peace Corps volunteers who are serving are over the age of 50. There is no age limit to apply for Peace Corps service.

Peace Corps volunteers age 50 and above come with a wealth of life skills and professional experiences to make an instant impact in communities around the world, said Peace Corps Director Aaron S. Williams (Dominican Republic, 1967-1970). Peace Corps is honored to work with AARP to increase public service opportunities for Americans age 50 and over.

AARP and the Peace Corps have more than 100 years of combined experience in creating positive social change, so we are enthusiastic about this new relationship that allows both organizations to tap into the expertise and zeal for service that many older Americans possess, said AARP CEO A. Barry Rand.

Through the new agreement, Peace Corps will continue to advance the work of its volunteers over the age of 50 and encourage AARP members and all people 50+ to consider serving with the Peace Corps. The two organizations will also encourage returned Peace Corps volunteers and AARP volunteers to serve together in their communities. One way people can volunteer is through AARP Create The Good where they can connect to ways to make a difference.

In September 2011, Peace Corps presented a workshop and hosted an informational booth at AARPs Life@50+ National Event & Expo in Los Angeles, Calif. Also, Peace Corps encouraged returned Peace Corps volunteers to commemorate the 2011 National Day of Service and Remembrance to find ways to help address hunger, or other causes, all across the country. For more information or to find local volunteer opportunities visit www.CreateTheGood.org.

See 50+ Peace Corps volunteers in action
A recent video produced by AARP VIVA, shows returned Peace Corps volunteers Fran Tenorio, 66, and her husband Richard Becker, 64, who recently served in Nicaragua and worked in agriculture and business development. Tenorio and Becker served with Peace Corps directly after retirement and used their Peace Corps service as an opportunity to work with local communities.

To see Fran and Richard in action visit: http://www.aarp.org/videos.video-name=Peace-Corps-at-50/.

To learn more about Peace Corps service for older Americans, visit: www.peacecorps.gov/50plus/.

About AARP: AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization with a membership that helps people 50+ have independence, choice and control in ways that are beneficial and affordable to them and society as a whole. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates. We produce AARP The Magazine, the definitive voice for 50+ Americans and the worlds largest-circulation magazine with over 35.1 million readers; AARP Bulletin, the go-to news source for AARPs millions of members and Americans 50+; AARP VIVA, the only bilingual U.S. publication dedicated exclusively to the 50+ Hispanic community; and our website, AARP.org. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity that provides security, protection, and empowerment to older persons in need with support from thousands of volunteers, donors, and sponsors. We have staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

About the Peace Corps: President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps on March 1, 1961, by executive order. Throughout 2011, Peace Corps is commemorating 50 years of promoting peace and friendship around the world. Historically, more than 200,000 Americans have served with the Peace Corps to promote a better understanding between Americans and the people of 139 host countries. Today, 9,095 volunteers are working with local communities in 75 host countries. Peace Corps volunteers must be U.S. citizens and at least 18 years of age. Peace Corps service is a 27-month commitment. Visit www.peacecorps.gov for more information.