On March 1, 1961, President Kennedy launched a bold experiment: the Peace Corps. Since its founding, nearly 250,000 U.S. citizens, including 2,000 from the state of Maine, have served as Peace Corps volunteers in 140 countries worldwide. During the COVID-19 pandemic, volunteers were sent home, but today more than 3,500 volunteers are serving and the demand from host countries for volunteers is steadily increasing.

What is often forgotten is that the experiences and skills learned in service continue to benefit our communities at home. Volunteers, often fluent in another language, return to careers as teachers, health care workers, entrepreneurs, public servants, community leaders and actively engage as volunteers in their local communities.

Many returned Peace Corps volunteers say that they got more than they gave when it comes to service. The same can be said for our country. For the cost of approximately 75 cents for every $100,000 in federal spending, the Peace Corps remains one of the nation’s wisest investments with a domestic return on investment that is incalculable.

May our Maine Sens. Collins and King and our House Reps. Pingree and Golden continue their strong support for the Peace Corps’ humanitarian and development assistance around our world. The Peace Corps is needed more today than it was 60 years ago.

Katherine Crosson
Peace Corps Health Volunteer, Togo, West Africa, 1970-1972
Cape Elizabeth