Come and join other RPCVs for a week (or more) from January to April in sunny Immokalee, Florida to use your Peace Corps skills to serve the immigrant farm-worker community

SERVICE PROGRAMS are the core of our mission. They include:

Teaching English to adults – We’ll be using the classroom facilities at Guadalupe Center to help parents learn English and be better able to communicate.

Building/teaching community gardens – Working with the excellent programs of the Cultivate Abundance NGO, we’ll help folks plant and raise their own food.

Assisting at a local nature center – We’ll work with Collier County Parks and Florida Mudcutters to build and maintain hiking and biking trails in the Pepper Ranch Preserve.

Teaching handwashing to kids - 5 local elementary schools have invited us to come teach hand-washing to their students. Just like many WASH volunteers did during their PC services.

Teaching HIV prevention at the local high school – A staple for many PC Health volunteers overseas, this program is still subject to approval by Collier County Schools Board.

Teaching simple accounting and family budgeting – Working with the Salvation Army, Catholic Charites (and others), we will be helping families better manage their finances.

Teaching nutrition and cooking – Volunteers will work at 3 local food banks to help folks adapt to the new foods they find in the US, for better nutrition and health.

Building Eco-Banos - We hope to improve sanitation at local farmworker camps (Oakes Farms) (Subject to approvals by Collier County Bldg Dept)

Planting trees (Reforestation) – Using native seedlings from the Florida Dept of Forestry, volunteers will plant trees around town and at farmworker camps and educate owners.

Housing rehab (light construction) – Volunteers will help H4H and Salvation Army to rehab local homes damaged by hurricane Irma. (no previous construction experience required)

Assisting at 3 local health clinics – Volunteers will assist clinic medical staff and help with translations at area free clinics. Assisting at 3 local food banks, 2 soup kitchens – Volunteers will help with food prep, serving and food selection.

HOUSING will be dormitory style in a very comfortable co-ed “bunk-house”, with 3 bathrooms, 2 showers, linens, air conditioning, heat, electric and WiFi. 3 semi-private spaces are available for couples (first come, first served). Non-RPCV spouses, partners and guests are welcome.

MEALS will be provided in the adjacent facility. Breakfasts will be oatmeal, granola, yogurt, fruit (local citrus) and eggs. Brown-bag sandwich lunches. Dinners will be wholesome and simple, featuring locally grown produce. Thursday nights will feature a volunteer guest chef preparing a meal from their PC service country. Volunteers can purchase alcoholic beverages at local stores and will be expected to help with food prep and other kitchen chores.

TRANSPORTATION to the area will be the Volunteer’s responsibility. You can fly into either Fort Myers (RSW) airport or Allegiant has deep discount fares into Punta Gorda (PGD). We’ll provide transportation to/from both airports. Or you can drive to Immokalee. All arrivals and departures will be on SUNDAY ONLY. Transportation to and from service sites will be provided by car, bus or you can use one of our bicycle fleet.

WEATHER – We will enjoy the superb winter weather of SW Florida, with only 5 days of rain per month. Temperatures averages are near perfect, with highs around 75-80F and lows around 55-60F.

IMMOKALEE, Florida is the agricultural heart of SW, with citrus and winter vegetable production. Our base is near many of the packing houses. In your free time, you’ll be able to visit the nearby parks, nature preserves, Lake Trafford and Gulf beaches. Even the local Seminole Casino. Or walk and bike around to get a taste of rural Florida Hispanic culture.

TO APPLY just complete the online application form at https://rpcvglobalvillage.wufoo.com/forms/m15eymmo16bvty0/

Space is limited to 16 volunteers per week and will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Upon acceptance, you’ll need to provide flight information and sign a liability waiver form. You’ll also be asked to make a small ($175/week) donation to defray food, housing and local transportation costs. Discounts for longer stays ($145/week for 2-3 weeks, $450/month) and some scholarships are available on request.

So, come join the RPCV Global Village this winter. Rekindle your service spirit and improve the lives of the community. Enjoy the company of other RPCVs, local sites and SW Florida weather.

(contact greg@rpcvglobalvillage.org with any questions)

2020 RPCV Volunteer Opportunities

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RPCV GLOBAL VILLAGE

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