Peace Corps celebrates 65th Anniversary with launch of new nostalgia-themed recruitment campaign

WASHINGTON - This week, the Peace Corps celebrates Peace Corps Week and the 65th anniversary of the agency's founding by launching a nostalgia-themed recruitment campaign that invites qualified Americans from every state, background and skill set to answer the call to serve.

The "Still the Toughest Job You'll Ever Love" campaign pays tribute to the close to 250,000 Peace Corps volunteers who have served in 144 countries since President John F. Kennedy established the agency on March 1, 1961. It supports the Peace Corps' ambitious goal of having 8,000 volunteers in service by 2030 - more than double the number serving today.

The campaign will include public service announcements, digital ads and digital out-of-home advertising, featuring the tagline "Still the Toughest Job You'll Ever Love," an homage to the agency's iconic slogan of earlier decades. Sample campaign materials are available here.

"Sixty-five years after our founding, the Peace Corps is still going strong. Our new campaign highlights the heart of the volunteer experience: that service is tough for how it challenges you but, as a volunteer, you'll love how the experience will change you," said Peace Corps acting Director Richard E. Swarttz. "It's community-driven work that pushes volunteers to grow personally, professionally and interculturally.

"We invite Americans from all backgrounds to consider Peace Corps service," Swarttz continued. "Whether your experience includes a college degree, military service, trade skills, or a career as a business owner, a tech worker or first responder, your expertise and hard work can make a difference."

The agency is recruiting thousands of citizens who want to work side by side with communities helping to address real needs through agriculture, community economic development, education, environment, and youth in development projects.

In addition to marking the Peace Corps' 65th anniversary year, 2026 is also America's 250th birthday. In partnership with America250, the Peace Corps is promoting volunteerism and national service throughout the year as part of the AmericaGives initiative - the largest coordinated volunteering effort in US history.

Peace Corps volunteers collaborate with community members on locally-prioritized projects, gaining skills and experience while fostering mutual understanding and promoting American values. Interested individuals are encouraged to visit peacecorps.gov/serve to learn more about the Peace Corps and apply for service.