| Dear Members, Potential Members and Supporters: For the last four years, I have been fortunate to work at the New York Regional Peace Corps Office. During this time, I have come across a number of Peace Corps applicants and Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs) of color that have often asked about the existence of a minority RPCV group. Unfortunately, I knew of no such group, yet each year the number of inquires increased. These encounters served as an opportunity to listen to each RPCV's experience. I learned that many of the RPCVs stories had several key factors in common. First, minority RPCVs were often one of a few volunteers of color serving in their respective Peace Corps country. Secondly, the lack of support and understanding of diversity issues from Peace Corps created at times a challenging environment. Finally, once returning home, and looking to share their unique perspectives with others who shared similar experiences, RPCVs of color were at a loss to find appropriate resources, networks and support. The time has come to combine our efforts in supporting the renewed Peace Corps commitment to not only increase the number of the volunteers overseas, but to also increase the diversity of its volunteers. Over the past four years, Peace Corps minority volunteers have slightly increased in numbers, proving there is a possibility to do better. However, Peace Corps needs the support of its returned volunteers of color. The establishment of the Minority Peace Corps Association (MPCA) is a response to this need. In order to continue to build diversity within Peace Corps, we have the opportunity: to come together, nationwide, to support each other, to commit to broadening the awareness of Peace Corps in minority communities and to support minorities applying for, serving in, or returning from Peace Corps. The MPCA provides the opportunity to collaborate with other groups and organizations, as an independent association, to better support RPCVs and PCVs of color in achieving goals of Peace Corps. Organizing a network of support and establishing a mentor program for those interested in the Peace Corps are among the primary activities that MPCA will carry out. Lend your support to the Minority Peace Corps Association. Together, our combined efforts will allow us to achieve the vision of a more complete representation of the United States overseas through Peace Corps. Leslie Jean-Pierre President Minority Peace Corps Association |
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| MINORITY PEACE CORPS ASSOCIATION |
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| Minorities helping minorities, and making a world of difference |
| MPCA Home Page / Peace Corps Stories / Calendar / Community / Franklin H. Williams Award / Events / Officers' Profiles / Directory of Related Links / Become a member |
| To contact us: |
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| Village Station P.O. Box 244 New York, NY 10014 |
| Phone: 212-352-5452 Fax: 212-352-5441 Email: info@minoritypca.org |
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