Snappy newsletters. Simple Facebook sharing. Spirited comments. Sweet features are waiting… GET THEM NOW!

No Hard Knocks for Peace Corps in Downturn

Obama, recession boost interest in volunteer group

By Jason Farago,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 2, 2009 8:12 AM CDT
Email

(Newser) – During a commencement address last month, Barack Obama singled out the Peace Corps as an American institution dedicated to "opportunity, equality, and freedom." As the Los Angeles Times reports, the president's glowing praise—combined with Obama-era idealism and a weak job market—has contributed to a 16% jump in applications to join the volunteer agency.

Participation in the Peace Corps, founded by JFK, dipped in the 1980s but is flourishing again, and the organization is returning to former warzones like Rwanda and Liberia. "It's refreshing and uplifting to witness this sort of outpouring of American idealism again," said one professor, a former volunteer. Yet volunteers aren't blind do-gooders; one woman in Panama said she's extending her tour for a year because back home "it's so difficult to find a job."

Peace Corps volunteer Colin Doyle, 23, sits relaxing with his host family under their house at a village in Kampong Cham province, Cambodia, Feb. 22, 2007.
Peace Corps volunteer Colin Doyle, 23, sits relaxing with his host family under their house at a village in Kampong Cham province, Cambodia, Feb. 22, 2007.   (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)
Peace Corps volunteer Ralph Bernstein, 84, poses with students at the secondary school where he will be teaching in the Tamale region of northern Ghana Monday, Oct. 13, 2008.
Peace Corps volunteer Ralph Bernstein, 84, poses with students at the secondary school where he will be teaching in the Tamale region of northern Ghana Monday, Oct. 13, 2008.   (AP Photo/David Horton)
Peace Corps volunteers during a swearing-in ceremony in the capital Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Wednesday, April 4, 2007.
Peace Corps volunteers during a swearing-in ceremony in the capital Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Wednesday, April 4, 2007.   (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
To report an error on this story, notify our editors.
A snapshot of the day's best news stories.
 
COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 3 comments
Mr.C
Jun 3, 2009 1:55 AM CDT
What are you talking about Robert? there is no divide like that. Everyone sees a helping hand as a good thing. And if you want to bring in some political bs into this consider that statistically conservatives give much more to charities than liberals do.
Robert_Dada
Jun 2, 2009 11:39 AM CDT
"...so are the armed services." - that is, until their leadership lies to them to get them to go to an unnecessary war whose gain is purely political, nothing else.
Robert_Dada
Jun 2, 2009 11:38 AM CDT
Don't be surprised if the 'right' is trying to smell a leftist plot in this. "Helping people without being paid for it? Why it's commie-pinko talk I tell ya!"

Want to sign up?
Peace Corps

US

 
Barack Obama • recession • volunteerism • volunteer • Peace Corps • idealism

More Newser Stories

US Volunteers Surge 1.6M in '09

Beck Moves Obama From 'Hitler' to 'Mao'

Obama Pitches Public Service—On the Net

Obama: Here's How to Honor 9/11 Victims

Obama to GOP: 'Stop Drawing Lines in the Sand'
NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Other Sites We Like:   24/7 Wall St.   |   Betty Confidential   |   BuzzFeed   |   Cracked   |   Fark   |   Timelines   |   The Frisky   |   Geek Sugar   |   NewsOne