Seven Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs) recently celebrated the 50th Anniversary of Peace Corps by sharing details of their service in a 2 hour multi-media display and participating in a question and answer session within Dr. Shane Fitzpatrick’s Essentials of Global Politics class at Centenary College in Hackettstown, NJ.    Participants included Beth Myler (Cameroon, 94-96), Doug Garatina (Ghana, 71-73), Richard Dalrymple, Jr. (Mali, 74-76), Janet Matts (Kenya, 77-79), Susan Keenan (Chile, 66-68), Christine Musa (Sierra Leone, 81-83), and Allison Wawrin (Papua New Guinea, 97-01).

Allison worked at Centenary College in Hackettstown, NJ upon returning to the US and contacted Trish Mahaffey of the Office of International Programs.  Trish was immediately receptive to the idea of the RPCVs coming to the college.  She had been receiving increasing inquiries from students about Peace Corps within the past two years; she also would like to provide Centenary students with a chance to intern with the Peace Corps.  Annamaria Lalevee was instrumental in advertising the event by drafting and sending out a press release for the event.

Christine had recently renewed efforts to get a group of RPCVs in Northwestern NJ together, adding RPCV contacts with the help of NPCA-NJ and drew from this group to get participants to join in this educational initiative on March 1st, the Peace Corps’ 50th anniversary.

The RPCV displays and participation truly fulfilled the 50th Anniversary goals:  1) the public was made aware of the success and impact of Peace Corps; 2) the 3rd goal of Peace Corps was advanced by sharing its value with the students, faculty, staff, and press; 3) recruiting efforts were supported to expand Peace Corps; and, 4) we recognized and honored those who have contributed to Peace Corps’ success – volunteers, host countries and communities, and national leaders.

Several students visited the displays and attended the class.  More than a few showed genuine interest in joining Peace Corps and had many specific questions about the application process, programs, competitiveness, benefits, and most importantly, shared that they wanted to fulfill a need and help interested countries.  The day was made complete by Christine hosting a global house party.  Richard, Doug and Christine shared West African dishes such as ground nut soup and potato leaf plasas on rice along with champagne to toast the anniversary.  All of the events were a very rewarding experience for the RPCVs involved, with the added benefit of discovering the instant rapport when a connection is made with other RPCVs, individuals who did not know each other before this anniversary initiative.

Photos from the February 2011 event at Centenary College.

 

2009-2010 projects:

• contributed toward funding 3 PCP projects organized by Peace Corps Volunteers from New Jersey
  
• launched new presence in NPCA's newly redigned website - PeaceCorpsConnect
  
• contrubted toward disaster relief in Haiti via OxFam
  
• contributed torward IINJ (see below)

From the IINJ:

Click here to read the June 2010 newsletter from the IINJ.

The International Institute of New Jersey (IINJ), designated as a resettlement agency under the network of the United States Committee for Refugees and Immigrants, is the only agency in New Jersey that offers comprehensive refugee resettlement services to the many who come here seeking better lives. Established in 1918, IINJ is one of the oldest and largest immigrant service agencies in the state. Our comprehensive services include employment counseling, financial literacy training, legal services, English and citizenship classes, mental health counseling, and case management related to housing, medical care, and other basic needs.

IINJ would like acknowledge and extend the deepest gratitude to the Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of New Jersey (RPCV-NJ) for the $300 donation that was made in early February. All contributions made to IINJ help us enhance the services we provide to newly arrived immigrants.         

We work non-stop through the year, but no matter how busy we are we don’t neglect the details. Because of this, we are often rewarded with displays of happiness and appreciation from clients. One such instance was in October of last year. A beautiful and vibrant three-year-old Bhutanese girl arrived in the US with her parents in August of 2009. The family came from a refugee camp in Nepal. This little girl had lived in a camp her whole life. While at the camp, she dreamed of two things, getting the chance to celebrate her birthday like other little girls, and owning a bicycle. Pretty soon after arriving in New Jersey the father started working at a restaurant, but the pay was irregular. IINJ helped him find a job that was more secure. However, time was running out before the little girl’s fourth birthday and the father still did not have the funds for a birthday party, and much less to afford a bike. The Refugee Resettlement department at IINJ worked fast to coordinate a colorful and fun-filled surprise birthday party. We had cake, soda, streamers, balloons, big smiles and laughter. The little girl’s eyes almost popped out of her head when we brought in her brand new bicycle. She quickly jumped on it.

IINJ is working to expand communications with outside agencies and the community at large. So please help spread the word about what we do. If you have any questions please contact Kim Lee Alvarado, Development Officer, at (201) 653-3888 ext. 106 or kleealvarado@iinj.org.