Assistance for Peace Corps Evacuees

On March 15^th the Peace Corps announced it was suspending volunteer activities and evacuating volunteers due to COVID-19.

Resources are available for evacuated PCVs as well as a means for RPCVs to offer assistance to those returning PCVs.

Resources are available for evacuated PCVs as well as a means for RPCVs to offer assistance to those returning PCVs.

• National Peace Corps Association (NPCA) resource page
• PCV COVID-19 Support Form – RPCVs in NJ are encouraged to fill out this form if there is support you can provide to returning volunteers. Support may include: housing, jobs, resume writing, emotional support, transportation etc.
• U.S. Peace Corps COVID-19 Evacuation Support Group – Facebook group (NOTE: this is a group formed by RPCVs not Peace Corps itself)

---

Any volunteers who are returning to New Jersey are welcomed by the RPCV-NJ organization.
Please feel free to contact RPCV-NJ at rpcvnj.outreach@gmail.com

• Follow and Like our official Returned Peace Corps Volunteers of New Jersey Facebook Page.
• Sign up for our distribution list for weekly/biweekly updates on upcoming activities and calls to action and our quarterly newsletters.
• Check out the RPCV-NJ website for more information about the group. Apologies in advance, the website is undergoing a transition to a new platform so some of the information is outdated.

Welcome back,
From the RPCV-NJ Board of Directors

 

Cancelations

Unfortunately, due to concerns about the possible transmission of corona virus RPCV-NJ is CANCELING participation in any events/activities for the remainder of March & April (including our Annual Meeting planned for 3/28/20). While the Duke Farms service project is actually in May, registration is required by April 4th so it is also being canceled.

However, RPCV-NJ will continue to plan and prepare for future events (advocacy, service, outreach, social etc.) in addition to reviewing the Peace Corps Partnership Program for projects led by
Peace Corps Volunteers from New Jersey
to support financially.

Advocacy News & Your Action Needed

Advocacy participants had an in district meeting with the office of Cory Booker in February at his Newark Office.  During this meeting, volunteers brought up our concerns of budget cuts and asked that the Senator support bringing the funding up to $450 million for the next fiscal year to help Peace Corps grow and fill the requests of other nations for volunteers.

Our biggest success was on Capitol Hill Day, March 5th where eleven NJ volunteers gathered with a couple hundred others to visit the offices of lawmakers to support the Peace Corps. Our NJ volunteers managed to convene 11 meetings this day.  In our meetings we discuss current Peace Corps issues including use of the P.C logo on final resting places (H.R 1411),  and the P.C reauthorization act 3456. This resolution includes funding of $450 million, the Respect Act, increased disability pay from GS-7 to GS-11, and enhanced non-competitive eligibility for recently returned volunteers.

Do you want to help??
People interested in attending in district meetings can contact Susan Metzger as we are beginning to line some up now for the upcoming months.

Take Action! You can follow this link for letter writing actions that includes a call to sign these important Dear Colleague letters.

Susan Metzer, Advocacy Chair

Holiday and Outreach Event – December 14

Holiday Party

RPCVs, Family, Friends & Others

Reformed Church of
Highland Park
19 S 2^nd Avenue
Highland Park, 08904

Returned Peace Corps Volunteers (RPCVs), individuals interested in serving in the Peace Corps, as well as family and friends are welcome to celebrate the holiday season get-together in Highland Park, NJ. Please join us to enjoy the decorations, music, fine food and dancing.

ANNOUNCING:
Dr. Bishnu Maya Pariyar will be attending the event and giving a presentation about her life in Nepal and the influence of a Peace Corps Volunteer there.

International Buffet – Pot Luck
Bringing a food or beverage (non-alcoholic) you experienced in your Country of Service is encouraged but any contributions are welcomed.

SERVICE OPPORTUNITY
The Reformed Church of Highland Park has a thrift shop on site.
If you have any clothes you no longer need (clean & in good condition) please bring them to the holiday gathering to be donated to the church’s thrift store.

PARKING
There is a parking area and entrance at the back of the church accessible off Magnolia Street

Questions, contact Doug Garatina rpcvnj.social@gmail.com

Change the Lives – Change the World

2019 Fundraising Campaign

It’s time again to REACH OUT to our community of returned volunteers for important & needed financial support!

RPCV-NJ relies on your support to: 

1. Fund current projects of Peace Corps volunteers from NJ,
2. Provide support to local organizations with missions consistent with RPCV-NJ’s mission,
3. Conduct panel discussions and presentations to educate New Jerseyans and elected representatives about the importance that Peace Corps has for New Jersey and for our nation; and
4. Organize and host gatherings throughout the state that bring together RPCV’s from ALL decades for networking, storytelling and sharing of experiences.

Your contributions make a grass-roots difference!
If available, request matching funds from your employer. 
Your contributions go a long way to enable current volunteers and RPCVs who hail from New Jersey to continue the Peace Corps’ mission of service, both internationally and domestically (through Peace Corps’ third goal of domestic service and awareness).
You can donate using: 
1. Donate button on our website
2. The form on our website and mail in with a check
3. Direct payment from your bank account after you register with your bank to send funds using Zelle to rpcvnj.payments@gmail.com
Take care to spell this email address exactly as provided. 
4.The National Peace Corps Association (NPCA) website 
RPCV-NJ is a 501(c)(3) organization and all donations are fully tax deductible.

Farm Gleaning – October 26

Saturday, October 26th
8:30am-10:00am
Eastmont Orchards
181 County Road 537
Colts Neck, NJ 07722

We will be farm gleaning by picking apples for local food banks and pantries. We are asking for help by picking apples and carrying baskets of apples to and from the nearby truck.

All ages are welcome to join us.
We hope to see you there!

RSVP to Kelly Matthews rpcvnj.volunteer@gmail.com

2020 RPCV International Calendars Available

RPCV-NJ is working in partnership with RPCVs of Wisconsin-Madison as a local provider to distribute their International Calendars.

Funds raised from the sale of these calendars in NJ will support RPCV-NJ activities including Project Support, Volunteer/Service Activities, Social Events and the pursuit of the Peace Corps Third Goal which the distribution of these calendars contributes to.

Consider buying these high quality, informative calendars for family, friends, teachers etc.

Calendar Ordering

Qty    Cost w/Shipping & Handling

1        $14 ($12 + $2 S&H)

2        $27 ($24 + $3 S7H)

3        $44 ($36 + $8 S&H)

Postage increases significantly when weight exceeds 13oz.

4        $56 ($48 + $8 S&H)

5        $68 ($60 + $8 S&H)

TO ORDER

Send email to rpcvnj.outreach@gmail.com indicating the number of calendars ordered and provide mailing address and phone number (if  any question arises) then:

SEND PAYMENT

Use one of two methods:

1. Use Zelle through your bank (if your bank uses Zelle, you just have to complete a simple register with the the bank for that function) by sending funds to: rpcvnj.payments@gmail.com (take care to type the email address exactly as provided)
2. Make check out to RPCV-NJ and mail it to:

RPCV-NJ

26 Parker Street, Belvidere, NJ 07823

Questions: email rpcvnj.outreach@gmail.com

RPCV Family & Friends Octoberfest Celebration – October 6

Sunday, October 6, 2019
11 am to 4 pm

Liberty State Park
(Area “J” on Map)
Picnic Area #7
Jersey City

Please join us at our first Octoberfest Celebration.  It will be a POTLUCK event similar to our annual picnic, but at this event we are collaborating with the New York City Peace Corps Association so there should be many new people to meet.

STUNNING VIEWS OF MANHATTAN, THE NYC HARBOR & ELLIS ISLAND
PLAYGROUND & WATERFRONT WALKWAY

Please bring your own non-alcoholic beverages and some type of potluck food to share with others. International dishes are welcome.

Please be aware that there is no electricity at the site but some dishes can be warmed and/or cooked on a large charcoal grill that we will be operating.

Open field next to picnic area with 8 large picnic tables.

Bring Kites, Games, Frisbees, Balls etc. Plenty of Room for Blankets & Chairs

In order to receive an early morning notification of a cancellation due to inclement weather that day, it is necessary for you to RSVP to Doug Garatina by October 1 at: rpcvnj.social@gmail.com

This event is weather dependent.

If the weather looks questionable, look on the RPCV-NJ Facebook Page by 9am that morning for updated information.