Press Release from Peace Corps Northeast Office

New Hampshire Ranks Among Peace Corps’ Top Volunteer-Producing States in 2015

WASHINGTON, D.C., Dec. 8, 2015 – Today, Peace Corps announced that New Hampshire ranked No. 8 among states with the highest number of Peace Corps volunteers per capita. Fifty-three (53) volunteers from the Granite State are currently serving worldwide, giving New Hampshire a ratio of four volunteers for every 100,000 residents. 

“The hometown perspectives and values Peace Corps volunteers bring to the communities they serve become an integral part of the intercultural exchange that takes place during Peace Corps service,” Peace Corps Director Carrie Hessler-Radelet said. “We are so grateful to the communities across the United States that instill a sense of service and purpose in their citizens and drive their residents to give back to communities beyond their borders.” 

New Hampshire volunteers are among the more than 220,000 Americans who have served around the world as agriculture, community economic development, education, environment, health and youth in development volunteers since the agency was founded by President John F. Kennedy. Since the Peace Corps was established in 1961, 1,715 Peace Corps volunteers from New Hampshire have traveled abroad to serve their country in the cause of peace by living and working in developing countries.

“Lesotho is the Mountain Kingdom and after living in the shadows of Mount Moosilauke, I arrived assuming I was prepared for the mountains of Lesotho,” said Beth Spencer of Dover, who is currently serving as an urban youth development volunteer in the African nation. “The reality, however, is that these mountains start at a much higher elevation than those in New Hampshire. For the first few weeks, the smallest hills could make me huff and puff as my lungs adapted to the significantly higher elevations.”

The University of New Hampshire also nationally ranked in 2015 on the annual list of highest volunteer-producing colleges and universities in the U.S, claiming the No. 9 spot among medium-sized schools.

The Peace Corps has regional recruitment offices across the United States that work closely with prospective Peace Corps volunteers of all ages and backgrounds to ensure that all Americans who want to serve have the opportunity to do so. The Northeast regional recruitment office serves Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont. Find the regional recruitment office near you by visiting the Peace Corps website.

To view a list of volunteer numbers from all 50 states, click here.

About the Peace Corps:  The Peace Corps sends the best and brightest Americans abroad on behalf of the United States to tackle the most pressing needs of people around the world. Volunteers work at the grassroots level to develop sustainable solutions that address challenges in education, health, economic development, agriculture, environment and youth development. Through their service, volunteers gain a unique cultural understanding and a life-long commitment to service that positions them to succeed in today’s global economy. Since President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps in 1961, nearly 220,000 Americans of all ages have served in 140 countries worldwide. For more information, visit www.peacecorps.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

*Peace Corps data current as of September 30, 2015. 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.