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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Maine ranks No. 8 in the country among states with the highest number of Peace Corps volunteers per capita, the Peace Corps recently announced. There are 54 volunteers from Maine currently serving worldwide and 1,987 Mainers have served in the Peace Corps since the agency’s founding in 1961.
Notably, Maine has ranked in the top states per capita for the past five years. Maine volunteers are among the more than 235,000 Americans who have served around the world in areas such as agriculture, community economic development, education, environment, health and youth development volunteers since 1961.
“Encouraging all Americans, from every corner of our country, to become involved in international service is something that continues to be at the forefront of my mind,” said Peace Corps Director Jody Olsen. “At the Peace Corps, we recognize the leaders who cultivate a culture of service in their states. Communities across America are embracing the domestic dividend of returned Peace Corps volunteers and, today, we celebrate these global citizens who contribute so much to our country.”
Rockland, Maine, resident Scott Tilton serves as an environment volunteer in Malawi. “Older volunteers may find it more difficult to learn a new language, but we also bring other qualities that younger volunteers have not yet had the chance to develop,” said Tilton. “These types of varied life experiences help prepare an individual for a rich experience in the Peace Corps.”
Peace Corps is unique among service organizations because volunteers live and work at the community level. Service in the Peace Corps is a life-defining, hands-on leadership experience that offers volunteers the opportunity to travel to the farthest corners of the world and make a lasting difference in the lives of others.
The top volunteer-producing states for 2018 per capita (number of volunteers per 100,000 residents) are: District of Columbia – 14.8; Vermont – 6.9; Montana – 4.6; Oregon – 4.4; Virginia – 4.3; Maryland – 4.2; New Hampshire – 4.1; Maine – 4.0; Colorado – 4.0; Rhode Island – 4.0; Washington – 3.8; Minnesota – 3.8.
The top states as with total volunteers are California – 836; New York – 475; Virginia – 364; Texas – 351; Illinois – 312; Florida – 311; Pennsylvania – 291; Washington – 285; Maryland – 257; Massachusetts – 242.
The data is current as of Sept. 30. The metropolitan area data used to determine Peace Corps’ rankings are derived from the most current U.S. Census Bureau “Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Area” data. Volunteers self-report their home city and state on their Peace Corps application. Applicants can apply to specific programs by visiting the Peace Corps website, peacecorps.gov, and connecting with a recruiter.
PHOTO: Rockland resident Scott Tilton, kneeling, right, is a Peace Corps volunteer in Malawi. He’s one of 54 from Maine currently serving in the Peace Corps. (Submitted photo)
