WASHINGTON, D.C. Jan. 24, 1997—Peace Corps Director Mark Gearan today pledged the Peace Corps\' support for the goals of the "Presidents\' Summit for America\'s Future." Gearan attended the announcement of the initiative today at The White House.
"For 35 years, Peace Corps volunteers have answered the call to help people around the world," Gearan said. "They return home and continue to serve in communities throughout the United States. I am especially proud to show our support for the Presidents\' Summit for America\'s Future. The more than 147,000 returned Peace Corps volunteers are proving that volunteer service works for America."
The Peace Corps recently released a survey that showed that 78 percent of returned volunteers who responded to the survey continued to volunteer their time to other causes in the United States, including 59 percent who currently volunteer. The survey also showed that more than 63 percent of those who responded to the survey work with people with special needs, including the elderly, the economically disadvantaged and the disabled.
The Peace Corps was created by President John F. Kennedy on March 1, 1961. There are currently nearly 6,500 Peace Corps volunteers serving in 90 countries around the globe. The Peace Corps will send volunteers to serve in South Africa for the first time in mid-February.