1961, President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps to promote world peace and friendship.

The Peace Corps' mission has three simple goals:

Helping the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women.
Helping promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served.
Helping promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans.

Description:
The world has changed since 1961, and the Peace Corps has changed with it. With 8,079 Volunteers in 68 posts serving 74 countries, today's Peace Corps is more relevant than ever.

While Volunteers continue to do important work like bringing clean water to communities and teaching children, today's Volunteers also work in areas like HIV/AIDS awareness, information technology, and business development.

The Peace Corps will continue to address global needs as they arise. Thousands of Volunteers, for instance, now work on HIV/AIDS-related activities. As access to information technology has grown in the developing world, the Peace Corps has increased its Volunteer efforts in this field.

Below is a brief listing of some of the Peace Corps' newest programs and projects.

History:
Since 1960, when then Senator John F. Kennedy challenged students at the University of Michigan to serve their country in the cause of peace by living and working in developing countries, more than 182,000 Peace Corps Volunteers have served in 138 countries all over the globe. They've been teachers and mentors to countless children. They've helped farmers grow crops, worked with small businesses to market products, and shown women how to care for their babies. More recently, they've helped schools develop computer skills and educated entire communities about the threat of HIV/AIDS.

Throughout its history, the Peace Corps has adapted and responded to the issues of the times. In an ever-changing world, Peace Corps Volunteers meet new challenges with innovation, creativity, determination, and compassion. These are the qualities that have allowed—and continue to allow the Peace Corps to achieve its mission.

Contact person: Shane Mathias, (phone), (email)

Address:

2361 Rosecrans Ave., Suite 155 El Segundo, CA 90245 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.peacecorp.gov

Directions:

The Los Angeles Peace Corps office is located in the Continental Park office complex in El Segundo. From the I-405 freeway, exit on Rosecrans Avenue and drive west approximately three quarters of a mile. Just west of Aviation Bl, turn right at 2361 Rosecrans. Take the first right and enter into the visitor's parking structure. (Paid parking; we cannot validate.) Suite 155 is located on the ground level.   Nearest Bus Stop: Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) 800.266.6993