Latest news with #AllisonGreene
The Independent
09-05-2025
- Business
- The Independent
JFK-created Peace Corps preps for ‘significant restructuring efforts' as DOGE targets humanitarian group
Peace Corps staffers have been warned about 'significant restructuring efforts' following a review by the Department of Government Efficiency as the Trump Administration focuses on bringing American resources back home. The agency has been given a second opportunity for a government buyout as the Washington, D.C., headquarters, with nearly 800 employees, prepares for departmental cuts ranging from 50 percent to 80 percent, according to an email sent to staffers from chief executive Allison Greene, as reported by The Guardian. Greene referred to the second deferred resignation program as "DRP 2.0,' while DOGE leader Elon Musk called it a 'fork in the road' buyout. The program was offered to direct hire and expert staff from April 28 to May 6. This option allowed employees to resign or retire while on paid administrative leave until September 30. The Peace Corps may reduce its global staff by 25 percent, potentially closing some of its 60 international posts, which supporters warn could weaken the agency's core mission of supporting over 3,000 volunteers. Greene's memo said the cuts will only affect Peace Corps staffers, not volunteers. 'The agency will remain operational and continue to recruit, place, and train volunteers, while continuing to support their health, safety and security, and effective service,' a Peace Corps spokesperson told The Guardian on April 28, confirming DOGE started the cuts that day. The Independent has connected representatives for the Peace Corps for comment. Founded by President John F. Kennedy in 1961, the Peace Corps sends volunteers to partner with communities in other countries to promote development and foster goodwill with focuses on education, health, and economic development. With a 2024 fiscal year budget of around $430 million, the Peace Corps makes up less than a tenth of a percent of the total federal budget.
The Guardian
29-04-2025
- Business
- The Guardian
Peace Corps to undergo ‘significant' cuts after Doge review
The Peace Corps is offering staff a second 'fork in the road' buyout, according to a source familiar with the matter. Allison Greene, the chief executive of Peace Corps, sent an email to staff on Monday with an update about the 'department of government efficiency' (Doge) assessment of the agency. Greene said to expect 'significant restructuring efforts' at Peace Corps headquarters, according to the email seen by the Guardian. Starting on 28 April and going through 6 May, direct hire and expert staff are being offered a second deferred resignation program, what Elon Musk's Doge has referred to as a 'fork in the road' buyout. Greene referred to this offer as 'DRP 2.0'. Eligible staff will hear from human resources and 'are strongly encouraged to consider this option', Greene wrote. The offer applies to employees both domestically and overseas. Peace Corps will 'continue to recruit, place, and train volunteers', Greene said, indicating that the cuts are specifically for agency staff and will not affect volunteers. A Peace Corps spokesperson confirmed that Doge began the cuts on Monday. 'The agency will remain operational and continue to recruit, place, and train volunteers, while continuing to support their health, safety and security, and effective service,' the spokesperson said. Since Donald Trump was inaugurated and tapped Musk to head the unofficial government agency Doge, the secretive group has steadily worked to slash budgets and lay off workers in federal agencies. With the mission to identify 'waste, fraud and abuse', it has targeted nearly two dozen agencies and fired hundreds of workers. Doge has especially focused on agencies involved in foreign aid and development, such as the US Agency for International Development (USAID). Doge started its work at Peace Corps headquarters in the beginning of April, according to two people familiar with the situation who spoke on the condition of anonymity. A Doge representative, Bridget Youngs, visited the agency headquarters at that time and asked for access to the agency's financial records. Doge workers have continued to work in the building over the following weeks. Peace Corps staffers were told to cooperate with Doge and 'if data from the system is requested, confirm what is required to meet their needs (data, format, etc)'. Staff were additionally told that 'under all circumstances, ensure that clear records are kept on what is requested and provided'. It's unclear how many Peace Corps jobs will be cut or if Doge will direct the agency to do more than this new round of buyouts. In a separate email sent by the Peace Corps office of human resources on Monday and seen by the Guardian, the agency wrote: 'At this time, we cannot give you full assurance which positions will remain – or where they will be located – after an anticipated workforce restructuring.' The Peace Corps sends volunteers to countries around the world to work for two years on public health, economic development and education projects. It was created in 1961 by John F Kennedy and has sent more than 240,000 volunteers abroad. It currently has around 3,000 volunteers working in 60 different countries.
