Start date
May 25, 2026

End date
July 4, 2026

Duration
6 weeks

ELIGIBILITY: Must be at least 18 years of age. Must be a U.S. citizen.

Activity/project background

A community-based organization in northeastern Ukraine works to create an environment that fosters the intellectual, creative, and physical abilities of children and youth. The center often uses a multidisciplinary approach, integrating English as a tool for providing a safe space for peers to interact and share ideas in a non-formal educational setting while preparing youth to represent Ukraine globally along with engaging youth in art, science, and sports activities. Its English language programs are designed to bridge the gap between school curriculum and real-world communication.

Unfortunately, due to the ongoing war with Ukraine, the organization has limited accessibility to native English speakers who are able to support their youth development activities. Thus, the organization is seeking the support of one Virtual Service Pilot Participant (VSPP) to co-facilitate a 4-week summer English club.

The club will address the educational and psychosocial needs of youth, aged 14–18, in the community. The primary goals for the club are to utilize English as a tool for self-expression and to help them to identify and express their feelings, interests, and ideas. During the 4-week engagement, the VSPP will co-develop the club curriculum and lead two one-hour club lessons each week focusing on emotional awareness and sense of control.

The organization has previously collaborated with the Peace Corps. They understand that the role of a VSPP is very different than a Peace Corps Volunteer or Peace Corps Response Volunteer.

Engagement and tasks

The VSPP will engage in the following tasks, in collaboration with their host country partners:

• Co-assess current skills and priorities of club members
• Co-design the virtual club curriculum with a focus on communication and life skills
• Co-develop eight session plans for virtual club meetings
• Co-facilitate two 60-minute virtual club meetings each week for groups of 15–20 students (aged 14–18) for the 4-week virtual summer camp
• Attend a weekly meeting with the Ukrainian counterparts for feedback and planning
  
  

VSPPs are expected to engage on the tasks listed above for an estimated 5–15 hours per week. This engagement is estimated to be 6 hours per week.

Online collaboration will generally occur between 4:00 p.m.–6:00 p.m. Kyiv time. Specific times will be determined during orientation.

The host country counterpart will have access to Zoom, WhatsApp, Telegram, and email for regular communication and collaboration.

Per the Child Protection Code of Conduct, when engaging online with minors (0–18), two adults must be present.

Optional Additional Activities

The Peace Corps mission is to promote world peace and friendship by fulfilling three goals:

• To help the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women.
• To help promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served.
• To help promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans.
  
  

Goal 1 will be achieved through the VSPP's engagement and completion of the above tasks. The counterpart and VSPP may also choose to identify an activity that aligns with Goal 2. Additionally, the VSPP may identify a Goal 3 activity to implement during their engagement. See recommendations and tools for Goal 3 activities.

Essential Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in any field

Experience:

• Working with youth, aged 14–18, in some capacity, such as a teacher, counselor, mentor, coach, or volunteer
• Facilitating virtual educational sessions
  
  

Intercultural skills and motivation: Flexible, strong cross-cultural agility, high tolerance for ambiguity, able to work independently, resourceful, creative, and genuinely motivated and capable to serve virtually