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WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Peace Corps has announced that Maine ranks No. 8 among states with the highest number of Peace Corps volunteers per capita. Fifty-two (52) volunteers from the Pine Tree State are currently serving worldwide, with a ratio of 3.9 volunteers per 100,000 residents. Maine has appeared in the top ten volunteer-producing states per capita for the last three years.
“During my time leading the Peace Corps, I have seen the tremendous impact that volunteers have when they share their unique hometown perspectives with the communities they serve,” said Director Carrie Hessler-Radelet. “Volunteers represent our nation’s rich diversity by coming from all corners of the U.S. They are able to share our nation’s rich cultural heritage with communities around the world, leaving a legacy of peace and friendship that is timeless.”
Maine volunteers are among the more than 225,000 Americans who have served around the world as agriculture, community economic development, education, environment, health and youth in development volunteers since 1961. Since the Peace Corps was established, 1,905 Mainers have served overseas.
In addition, Bowdoin College ranked No. 14 among small schools on the Peace Corps’ Top Volunteer-Producing Colleges and Universities list earlier this year.
“I was born and raised in Maine; I consider it my home and always will,” said Ev Dickinson, a Brunswick resident and Bowdoin College graduate currently serving as a health volunteer in Morocco. “I share aspects of my culture and home community with my Moroccan friends and family, and in turn, they share their culture with me and have been nothing short of the most hospitable and welcoming people I have encountered in my life.
“They have also learned to appreciate a good pile of pancakes smothered in Maine maple syrup, so I’d say my stint as a Peace Corps volunteer has been a success,” Dickinson added.
This year’s rankings follow the launch of a refreshed Peace Corps brand platform that embraces a digitally focused communications approach to make the agency more accessible to all audiences across the United States through the platforms they already use. Sweeping reforms in the application and recruitment system ensure that Peace Corps continues to build a volunteer corps of Americans from all walks of life. Applicants will now find a simplified, more personal application process, and can learn more by visiting the Peace Corps website and connecting with a recruiter.
Below find the nation’s top 10 volunteer-producing states and metropolitan areas for 2016.
2016 Top States – Per Capita (number of volunteers per 100,000 residents)
1. Vermont – 8.3
2. District of Columbia – 8.2
3. Montana – 5.0
4. Washington – 4.5
5. Minnesota – 4.3
5. Alaska – 4.3
7. Maryland – 4.0
8. Virginia – 3.9
8. Colorado – 3.9
8. Oregon – 3.9
8. Maine – 3.9
8. Rhode Island – 3.9
