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December 2014 Newsletter follow us on

Final Appropriations Bill Includes Equity Act Language

In what could be a significant victory for the fair treatment of female Peace Corps Volunteers, the House and Senate Appropriations Committees have released a $1 Trillion spending proposal to fund most all of the federal government for the remaining nine months of the current fiscal year (FY 2015).

Included in the Peace Corps section of this massive spending package is language that would fix the current inequity through which female Peace Corps Volunteers (PCVs) are denied government support should they choose to terminate a pregnancy in the narrow circumstances of rape, incest or life endangerment. For the past two years, PCVs have been the only individuals serving our nation overseas for extended periods of time who have been denied this support. Language in the spending package would implement the fix outlined in the Peace Corps Equity Act.

The full Senate and House still have to approve the final appropriations bill. The Hill newspaper indicates final votes are expected in the next few days.

The spending bill also includes $379.5 Million in funding for the Peace Corps for the remainder of FY 2015 - a very slight increase from the $379 Million appropriated during the previous fiscal year.

It's Coming - National Day of Action

Get ready everybody. NPCA's annual National Day of Action in support of the Peace Corps is approaching.

Mark your calendars and plan to set aside part of Thursday, March 5th to be an advocate for a strong and well supported Peace Corps.

2015 will be the 11th year of the Day of Action. While thousands of people will take action from home, we hope to equal or surpass the 101 advocates who joined us on Capitol Hill to personally bring the Peace Corps message to the halls of Congress!

Look for a special National Day of Action kickoff announcement in the coming weeks.

Check out Photos from the 2014 Day of Action

Health Justice Awareness Day

Supporters of Health Justice for Peace Corps Volunteers have set June 25th as the inaugural day to raise awareness and support for members of the community who face health challenges stemming from their service.

Want to help with the planning for this day? Contact advocacy@peacecorpsconnect.org.

Successful Pennsylvania Trip

This workshop in Harrisburg was just one of a dozen stops during our recent NPCA advocacy trip through Pennsylvania. Read more and check out photos from the trip.

Our 2014 advocacy travel concludes with a December 14th trip to Connecticut. Where should we travel in 2015?

Ebola Relief Fund

As Ebola fighters are named Time Magazine's Person of the Year, the generosity of the Peace Corps community has so far raised $40,000 to support an Ebola Relief Fund. First round grants have been awarded by an RPCV committee put together by member groups from the affected countries.

Global Issues Advocacy

Be a pen pal and fight for justice. Our featured global issue this month is "Write for Rights," a program sponsored by Amnesty International in which individuals can write letters of support to Prisoners of Conscience and other human rights defenders around the world. Read More.

Featured Advocate: John Stauffer

It is inspiring that so many Returned Peace Corps Volunteers choose to dedicate their lives to service. That's the case with this month's featured advocate, John Stauffer of Media, Pennsylvania.

John established his own nonprofit, The America Team for Displaced Eritreans, which helps displaced Eritreans and refugees. This work all stemmed from his Peace Corps service many years earlier. Read More

PEACE CORPS FAST FACTS
How many volunteers are currently serving? In how many countries?Just some of the details you can find in Peace Corps' fast facts webpage.

NPCA AWARDS

Outstanding NPCA member groups, RPCVs and more! Check out our annual awards and consider making a nomination.

IN MEMORIAM
We honor and remember the recent passing of members of the Peace Corps community. More here.

FOLLOW US ON TWITTER!
Follow our advocacy twitter account @npcaadvocacy for updates on Capitol Hill meetings, the upcoming Day of Action, and more.

MEMBER GROUPS

A great way to stay connected to others who served in the Peace Corps and continue your commitment to service. Check out our NPCA member groups.

ARCHIVE OPTIONS

Wondering what to do with your old Peace Corps materials? Some possibilities here.

ADVOCACY BLOGS
Another place where you can find advocacy related updates and information. Read More.

NEXT STEP TRAVEL
Isn't time you checked out our Next Step Travel Program? Take a volunteer vacation to Guatemala, Thailand or the Dominican Republic. Read More.

NPCA STORE

Still time for last minute shopping for the Peace Corps lover on your list. Visit the NPCA store.

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� 2014 National Peace Corps Association.