500 Organizations Pledge Commitment to Hiring AmeriCorps and Peace Corps Alumni

Employers of National Service include Timberland, Habitat for Humanity, Farmers Insurance, and City of Phoenix

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Corporation for National and Community Service (CNCS), the federal agency that leads AmeriCorps, and the Peace Corps celebrated a major milestone for their joint Employers of National Service initiative, reaching more than 500 public and private-sector companies that have made a commitment to hire AmeriCorps and Peace Corps alumni.

Employers have shown their commitment to hiring AmeriCorps and Peace Corps alumni by creating new pathways to employment for those who developed skills and experience through service. Findings from a CNCS report shows AmeriCorps alumni credit the national service program for the advancement in their careers and the skills and experiences gained that employers find valuable in the workplace. Alumni reported improved abilities to solve difficult problems, accomplish goals, handle unexpected events, and identify multiple solutions. 

“Today’s announcement further proves what we already know– that AmeriCorps and Peace Corps alumni offer a unique set of skills and experiences that employers find valuable in their workplace,” said Chester Spellman, director of AmeriCorps. “We are thrilled to have reached this milestone and thank our Employers of National Service for recognizing that AmeriCorps alumni are strong leaders and great employees to have in their offices.”

“Peace Corps and AmeriCorps alumni bring an incredible array of skills and experiences into the workplace,” said Peace Corps Chief Executive Officer Sheila Crowley. “The world is increasingly interconnected, and service corps alumni understand other cultures, speak other languages, and have demonstrated flexibility and cultural awareness. By signing on as Employers of National Service, these public and private-sector organizations are supporting a unique talent pool with a strong sense of public service.”

Since the launch of the initiative in 2014, public agencies, nonprofits, and private sector companies have signed on as Employers of National Service. These leading employers include Disney; Timberland; Farmers Insurance; MasterCard; United Way Worldwide; Habitat for Humanity; the cities of Nashville, Philadelphia and Phoenix; the states of Montana and Virginia; the U.S. Department of Agriculture; and NASA.

Altogether, more than 1.2 million Americans have served in AmeriCorps and Peace Corps with tens of thousands more making the commitment to serve each year. Since 1994, more than 1 million men and women have served in AmeriCorps, providing more than 1.4 billion hours of service and earning more than $3.3 billion in education scholarships to pay for college or repay student loans. More information on becoming an AmeriCorps member can be found at AmeriCorps.gov/Join.

Since 1961, more than 230,000 Americans have served as Peace Corps volunteers, developing lasting relationships with community members overseas as they work toward sustainable change that lives on long after their service. Peace Corps volunteers serve in more than 65 countries around the world.

Participants in both programs have worked as educators, emergency responders, economic development advisors, disaster preparation and recovery leaders, and counselors.

The Employers of National Service initiative is led by CNCS and the Peace Corps, and supported by AmeriCorps Alums, the National Peace Corps Association, and Service Year Alliance.  CNCS and its partners which includes the SYA are actively recruiting new employers from all sectors to pledge their commitment to service as Employers of National Service. More information is available at www.nationalservice.gov/employers.