Interview with Jeffrey Janis, October 15, 2021

Interview Summary

Jeffrey Janis served as a Community Economic Development Volunteer in Ukraine from 2004-6. He has been the Campus Recruiter at UCLA since 2018 and currently serves on the National Peace Corps Associate Board as chair of the Fundraising Committee. He talks about joining the Peace Corps at age 44 after a career as fundraiser. In Ukraine, he first helped raise funds for a Jewish organization and then worked with a youth service organization doing fundraising and leading their HIV/AIDs awareness activities. He also taught English and American Sign Language. He speaks fondly on his host family, whom he visits regularly and the warmth of Ukrainians once they get to know you. He talks about his Jewish and gay identities and remaining closeted on both during service upon advice of Peace Corps staff. He reflects on broadening perspectives gained through overseas service and recommends ways Peace Corps could increase diversity.

Interview Keyword

Peace Corps (US) Ukraine (Country of Service) Community Economic Development (Peace Corps program) 2004-6 (years of service) Peace Corps campus recruiting diversity in Peace Corps Ukrainian Jewish Community and anti-Semitism (cultural context) homophobia (cultural context) Orange Revolution (historical context) National Peace Corps Association Baryshivka (village in central Ukraine where he was trained and host family lives) Khmelnitsky (city in which he was stationed).

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