Washington, D.C., Nov. 20, 1997—Long renowned for international service, the Peace Corps is now building awareness of the continued benefits returned volunteers provide to the United States. A new public service advertisement released by the federal agency this week highlights the "domestic dividend" of the Peace Corps, in which returned volunteers use their overseas experience to make a difference in the lives of people here at home. The new ad features Dr. Javad Mashkuri, 32, of Ventura, Calif., who served as a public health volunteer in Mali, West Africa, from 1987-89. Mashkuri brought his enhanced skills and extraordinary experiences back to the United States after Peace Corps, and today he provides medical care to a community in need. "Javad Mashkuri embodies the Peace Corps spirit of bringing it back home," said Peace Corps Director Mark Gearan. "Whether it\'s providing community health care, teaching kids to read, organizing youth activities, serving in local parent-teacher organizations or spending time with the elderly in nursing homes, returned Peace Corps volunteers understand the value of service and make a tangible difference in the lives of thousands of Americans." Titled "The Value of Service," the new ad campaign was directed by Denver Collins of Scene Three Inc., a video production company based in Nashville, Tenn. The new campaign consists of :60, :30, :25, 20, :15, and :10 second spots. Collins uses a combination of color and black-and-white footage of Mashkuri on location in Mali and at work today. The international footage includes a brilliant African horizon in letterbox framing and features original background music. Since it was established in 1961 by President John F. Kennedy, more than 150,000 Americans have joined the Peace Corps, serving in 132 countries. Today, more than 6,500 Peace Corps volunteers serve in 87 countries, working to help fight hunger, bring clean water to communities, teach children, start new small businesses, and prevent the spread of AIDS.