Skip to Main Content

Support for Returning Volunteers

Overview

Serving in Peace Corps is a unique experience. Returning home after two or more years in another country is also a unique experience. Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs) face challenges in adjusting and getting on with their lives in the United States. Connecting with other RPCVs is a great way to merge back in, with others who've been there, done that, understand it.

Here are some of the many ways we support our members.

Volunteer Evacuation Transition (VET) Fund Grants

[This fund is no longer available. It was dedicated to support of volunteers during the COVID evacuation of 2020.]

 

ue to the evacuation of 7300+ Peace Corps Volunteers from all Peace Corps posts worldwide because of a global pandemic, RPCVs find themselves in particularly difficult times. At the same time, money from our Peace Corps Partnership Program (PCPP) budget, dedicated to serving volunteers in the field who have Wisconsin connections, cannot be used. Therefore, using our International Calendar proceeds that support the PCPP budget, we have identified this method of financial support to Evacuated RPCVs.

PROGRAM:  Volunteer Evacuation Transition (VET) Fund

PURPOSE:  To provide monetary assistance to evacuated Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCV) on their return to the USA to assist them in lodging, transportation, medical needs, etc.

ALLOCATION:  Up to $500 per person.

DURATION:  Program ends on December 31, 2020.

ELIGIBILITY:  Returned Peace Corps Volunteers evacuated in 2020, who are residents of Wisconsin and/or graduates of the University of Wisconsin System.

PROCESS:  Requests for a grant from the VET Fund are to be made to RPCVs of Wisconsin-Madison via president@rpcvmadison.org and the form below. We ask that you join the group before submitting an application (if you have trouble, please contact the Membership Coordinator). All requests will be reviewed by the Board and relevant leadership of RPCVs of Wisconsin-Madison, and a decision will be rendered to the requestor in an expedient manner.

FUNDING:  A special account has been set up to accept direct donations for the VET Fund. Should requested funding exceed the balance of the VET Fund,  the Board may approve transfer of fund from the PCPP  budget. Any balance left in the VET Fund on January 1, 2021 will be returned to the PCPP budget.

TRANSPARENCY:  A list of those evacuated RPCVs receiving money will be available to any member of RPCVs of Wisconsin-Madison upon request. Those evacuated RPCVs receiving funding from the VET Fund will be asked to provide an expense report and/or receipts to prove proper use of funding.

QUESTIONS? Contact president@rpcvmadison.org for assistance.

Volunteer Evacuation Transition (VET) Fund Application

National Peace Corps Association Resources

National Peace Corps Association LogoThe National Peace Corps Association (NPCA) has similar resources available nationally. When you join our group (free for first year), you also join the NPCA (free always).

Returned Volunteer Support – NPCA has expanded (nationwide) Mentoring and Job resources from those described below.

Global Reentry Program – started after the Evacuation of PCVs and shutdown of offices worldwide, the Global Reentry Program has become a Mentoring and Support service for returning volunteers, whether evacuated or through normal COS process.

 

 

Living and Connecting in Madison

Housing

We understand the difficulty in readjusting to life in the United States. We’ve been there, too! Here are some useful resources to help with your housing search:

 

Volunteer with RPCV Madison Group

Freeze for Food 5K/10K Planning TeamPeople running race

Our original and longest-running fundraiser, we are approaching the 40th anniversary of this 5K/10K event. Learn more about the event here, and find out how you can be part of the planning team or other ways of volunteering by contacting the Race Director.

Organize a Group Event

As a member, you can suggest new ideas for what we should be doing. Lake cleanup? Advocacy? Movie Night? International dinners? Hiking? Biking? Book club? See what we're doing and suggest your own ideas for Group Leadership, Community Outreach, and Social Events here. Contact the president to propose something new!

 

Social Networking

hashtag in lights

Meetup with other RPCVs in the area to adapt, network and make friends!

Join our group (free for the first year) and be put on the Google listserv to post relevant messages.

Third Goal: Help us with projects from the production of the International Calendar to the Freeze for Food to taking on leadership responsibilities. 

Tell Your Story: Be prepared to talk to community groups about your service experience: Rotary Clubs, schools, community centers, social justice organizations. The UW Campus Recruiter is the contact for requests for speakers.

Watch for Meetup Events of interest on our Facebook page or website Events Calendar. Propose your own meetup ideas…coffee/beverages? Movie night? Hiking? Camping? Book club? Advocacy work?

Follow us on these platforms to get in touch with other members of the group during the COVID-19 pandemic

 

Campus Community

Bascom Hall with Bucky bannerIf you would like to become a part of the University of Wisconsin-Madison RPCV campus community—either formally or informally—please reach out to the Campus Recruiter for more information.

Help with tabling events at career fairs, co-advising undergraduates, making student org or class presentations.

Casual conversation and networking over beverages, approximately monthly at the Rathskellar or Union Terrace with other campus student, faculty and staff RPCVs, as well as any community RPCVs who join in and random undergrads who want to get in on the fun.

Additional information about Peace Corps at UW-Madison can be found here.

 

Support, Jobs and Volunteer Opportunities

We offer a support and social network for Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs).

Find jobs and volunteer opportunities especially geared to Wisconsin RPCVs.

If you have an opportunity that you would like posted, contact web support at info@rpcvmadison.org.

Tips and Resources for Job Searching During Covid-19

Our Stories

Our Stories is a series of vignettes - the people behind the organization. Find Our Stories here, and on Facebook and Instagram. To post your story, contact the web designer at info@rpcvmadison.org.