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Causes: International, Promotion of International Understanding
Mission: We serve as a resource to Returned Peace Corps Volunteers and friends in the Washington DC area through social events, community service projects, and professional development programs that embody the 3rd Goal and spirit of the Peace Corps.
Results: In 2012, we raised over $6,500 and provided volunteers for our sponsored non-profit, Language ETC, which teaches English to low-income adult immigrants. We held 8 other service projects and helped other nonprofits recruit volunteers.
Target demographics: Members and Friends of the Washington, DC Peace Corps Community
Direct beneficiaries per year: 1,000
Geographic areas served: Washington, DC, Northern Virginia, Southern Maryland
Programs: Community Service RPCV/W is committed to supporting local organizations engaged in community development in the DC area. We are all volunteers at heart, and our members enjoy coming out on a weekend to help out a worthy cause. Keep an eye on our events for our next volunteer day. Partnership for Peace Each year, we officially sponsor a grassroots nonprofit that shares our goals and values. In addition to awarding them a cash grant based on the proceeds of our yearly fundraiser, we advertise their events through our social network and help them organize volunteers for their activities. Professional Development We recognize that many of our members are newly-returned volunteers eager to set down roots in Washington and launch their careers. We believe that all RPCVs should be able to network freely, and encourage our members to make time for their peers who are looking to climb the ladder. To this end, we launched our Professional Development Initiative in 2011. In a joint partnership with the Peace Corps Career Center, RPCV/W organizes regular panels composed of RPCVs who have excelled in their industries and are happy to sit down and share their stories in an intimate, collegial setting. We also host speed-networking events and happy hours intended to promote cohesion between RPCVs working in particular areas, industries, and agencies. Our Professional Development page is designed as a resource base for DC job-seekers, featuring our Linkedin portal, a live RSS stream of constantly-updating local jobs, and a daily calendar of free networking events going on across the city. Sign up and take advantage of the Peace Corps Network. Special Events For years, our Holiday Party and Summer BBQ have been staples in the Washington RPCV social scene, and RPCVs have gathered at the tomb of JFK for decades to pay their respects. As our numbers grow, so does our role in the community. RPCV/W is often called upon to plan and participate in major public events. From parades to public-speaking, our services are always in demand.