ACTION was created as an independent agency under the provisions of Reorganization Plan 1 of 1971, effective July 1, 1971, and Executive Order 11603 of June 30, 1971, with legislative authority provided by the Peace Corps Act of 1961 (75 Stat. 612, as amended; 22 U.S.C. 2501), for international operations, and the Domestic Volunteer Service Act of 1973 (87 Stat. 394; 42 U.S.C. 4951), for domestic operations. It is divided into three administrative areas: its headquarters in Washington, D.C., 10 domestic regional offices, and an overseas operation supported by country staffs. Programs and Activities

THE PEACE CORPS

On creating the Peace Corps in 1961, the Congress declared that its mission. was to promote world peace and friendship; to help the peoples of other countries in meeting their needs for trained manpower; to help promote a better understanding of the American people on the part of the peoples served; and to promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of the American people.

To fulfill that mandate, men and women from all ages and walks of life are trained over a 9-14 week period in the appropirate local language, the technical skills necessary for the particular job, and the cross-cultural skills needed when approaching a society with traditions and attitudes different from their own. They are then placed overseas in countries whose needs are critical, and who request volunteers to aid in their economic and social development. Volunteers serve for a period of 2 years, work in the communities to which they are sent, and live among the people they are helping. Beyond the immediate demands of their jobs, they are expected to become involved in community life and to demonstrate, through their voluntary service, that people can be an essential impetus for development.

Today, nearly 6,000 volunteers serve in 65 countries throughout Latin America, Africa, the Near East, Asia, and the Pacific. Their services vary widely according to talent and to host country needs. These volunteers work primarily in the areas of agriculture/rural development, health, and education. Programs coordinate efforts to match the skills and community-level approach of the volunteers with the resources of host country agencies and other international organizations.

An auxiliary effort within the Peace Corps is the Peace Corps Partnership, which provides opportunities for elementary, junior and senior high schools. civic groups, and neighborhood and youth organizations in the United States to meet a specific need of an overseas community by sponsoring the construction of a school, clinic, or community facility recommended by a Peace Corps volunteer. Cross cultural exchange is a major element in Partnership projects.

Peace Corps also serves as the sponsor for United States citizens who serve in the United Nations Volunteer program.

VOLUNTEERS IN SERVICE TO AMERICA

(VISTA)

The creation of VISTA was authorized by Congress in 1964, to provide constructive opportunities for Americans to work on a full-time basis with locally sponsored projects designed to strengthen and supplement efforts to eliminate poverty and poverty-related human, social, and environmental problems in the United States and its territories, and to secure and exploit opportunities for self-advancement by persons afflicted with such problems.

VISTA volunteer men and women are chosen from all ages and all walks of life, and receive pre-service and inservice training for their project assignments. Volunteers serve for up to 2 years, living and working among the needy in urban ghettos, small towns, and rural areas of poverty such as Appalachia, as well as with migrant

workers, on Indian reservations, and in institutions for the mentally ill or handicapped.

VISTA volunteers include skilled craftsmen and tradesmen, doctors, lawyers, architects, teachers, and business and liberal arts graduates. A growing number of VISTA volunteers are also recruited by the local sponsor for work in their own communities.

The range of VISTA activities is as broad as the needs which are defined by the poor community. VISTA volunteers act as resource mobilizers and catalysts in education, day care, drug abuse, corrections, health, legal aid, architecture and city planning, and many other programs. Throughout their year of service, VISTAS train and equip the community to better solve their own problems after the VISTA volunteer has left.

SPECIAL VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS

The Office of Special Volunteer Programs (SVP) implements special demonstration volunteer programs of ACTION, SVP is currently operating the following programs:

State volunteer services coordinator program: Provides grants to States to establish and/or strengthen State offices of volunteer services to improve opportunities for volunteer efforts concerned with human, social, and environmental needs, particularly those related to poverty. The State office of voluntarism promotes, coordinates, and

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assists volunteer efforts in State and local government, and among local, public, and private agencies. Mini-Grant Program: Provides small amounts of money to local organizations for the purpose of mobilizing relatively large numbers of part-time uncompensated volunteers to work on human, social and environmental needs, particularly those related to poverty. Projects are to have specific, measureable goals, achievable within a definite time period.

FOSTER GRANDPARENT PROGRAM

The Foster Grandparent Program was created in 1965, and offers to older men and women opportunities for working closely with children with special or exceptional needs. It is an opportunity for older Americans to continue serving their communities and themselves in an active and meaningful capacity.

Foster Grandparents are low-income persons, at least 60 of years and age, come from every kind of background. They receive both pre-service orienta

tion and in-service instruction. Volunteers work 4 hours a day, 5 days a week, receive a stipend of $1.60 per hour, as well as reimbursement for travel costs, a meal each day they serve, accident and liability insurance coverage, and a yearly physical examination.

Foster Grandparents work in schools. and hospitals for retarded, disturbed, and handicapped children, in day care centers, city hospital wards, corrections