FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Peace Corps Partners with the National Association of Community Health Centers to Support Global Health Care

WASHINGTON, D.C., February 3, 2010 The Peace Corps and the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC) have partnered to help prepare Peace Corps volunteers to support community health projects around the world. The partnership will also provide potential opportunities for returned Peace Corps volunteers to work at NACHCs health centers throughout the United States.

The agreement encourages NACHCs Community HealthCorps AmeriCorps members to serve in assignments throughout the United States that will help prepare them for potential Peace Corps assignments abroad. The two organizations will also exchange training materials and foster ongoing relationships between AmeriCorps members and Peace Corps volunteers. Both groups hope that returned Peace Corps volunteers will seek employment in the community health care work force.

Peace Corps and NACHC are united by a common mission to help underserved communities both at home and abroad on public health projects, said Peace Corps Director Aaron S. Williams. This important new partnership will help us recruit and train the next generation of Peace Corps volunteers to serve in host communities around the world and provide our returned volunteers with employment opportunities when they return home.

"NACHC is pleased and honored to enter into a partnership with a great organization like the Peace Corps. The mission of NACHCs Community HealthCorps is to improve health care access for Americas underserved while developing tomorrows health care work force, said Tom Van Coverden, President and CEO of NACHC. Returning Peace Corps volunteers who have supported public health activities at home and overseas will be great assets to our nation.

For more information on this new initiative, click here.

NACHC was organized in 1971 to provide a unified voice and common source for research, information, training, and advocacy. Community Health Centers serve 20 million people at more than 7,000 sites located throughout all 50 states and U.S. territories. Founded in 1995 by NACHC, Community HealthCorps is the largest health-focused, national AmeriCorps program. More than 650 Community HealthCorps members serve each year through 40 partner organizations across 19 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.

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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