FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Peace Corps Partners with City Year

WASHINGTON, D.C., March 10, 2010 The Peace Corps and City Year have partnered to help recruit and train the next generation of Peace Corps volunteers and prepare young Americans for careers in todays global work force.

City Year and the Peace Corps will actively encourage City Years diverse members and alumni with leadership experience in education and youth development to apply to become Peace Corps volunteers and continue their service abroad. Peace Corps will, in turn, encourage returned and prospective volunteers to serve American communities as City Year members and staff. The two organizations will exchange training and technical assistance materials and link City Year members with Peace Corps volunteers for reciprocal mentoring and support.

I have long admired the team-based City Year model that equips young people with the leadership skills to be successful and effective tutors, mentors, and role models in local communities said Peace Corps Director Aaron S. Williams. Partnering with City Year will allow more Americans with a strong commitment to public service to continue to contribute their enthusiasm and creativity at the grassroots level with communities abroad.

"We are tremendously excited to partner with the Peace Corps which was a founding inspiration for City Year, said Michael Brown, CEO and Co-Founder of City Year. "Together we can help tap into Americas greatest renewable natural resource the idealism and energy of Americas young people to help City Year keep students in urban communities in school and on track here at home and to help the Peace Corps meet pressing challenges abroad.

City Year was founded in 1988 with the belief that young people can change the world in a positive way. It engages diverse young Americans between ages 17 and 24 in a year of full-time service as tutors, mentors and role models, giving them skills and opportunities to make a difference in the lives of children and transform schools and neighborhoods. City Year, a proud member of AmeriCorps, engages 1,550 members a year and operates in 20 cities in the United States, and with two international affiliates. City Year alumni are leaders for life, working as business leaders, educators, nonprofit managers, and public servants. To learn more about City Year, please visit www.cityyear.org.

As Peace Corps approaches its 50th anniversary, its service legacy continues to promote peace and friendship around the world with 7,671 volunteers serving in 76 host countries. Historically, nearly 200,000 Americans have served with the Peace Corps to promote a better understanding between Americans and the people of 139 host countries. Peace Corps Volunteers must be U.S. citizens and at least 18 years of age. Peace Corps service is a 27-month commitment. To learn more about the Peace Corps, please visit our website: www.peacecorps.gov.

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