The foundation called Idealist "connects people, organizations, and resources to help build a world where all people can live free and dignified lives." As a non-profit institution, Idealist is "independent of any government, political ideology, or religious creed," its work guided "by the common desire of our members and supporters to find practical solutions to social and environmental problems, in a spirit of generosity and mutual respect." It is, thus, ideally suited to connect idealistic young people with graduate programs that share something of the Idealist's mission to promote volunteer work undertaken in the public interest.
Last night, at the Washington Convention Center, the Glenn School was on hand for the Idealist Fair. Exhibitors were assigned places alphabetically, meaning that those of us representing The Ohio State University had a booth directly adjacent to the Peace Corps. Except that the Peace Corps was missing in action, so to speak, a victim of the government shutdown. It may not be as dramatic as photos of veterans storming the gates of the World War II Memorial on the National Mall, or footage of surly tourists who find themselves locked out of Yellowstone or Yosemite, but the Peace Corps's empty table looked awfully forlorn to us. And to others, as it turned out.
One young woman asked us what the government shutdown is likely to mean to her a few weeks hence when she reports for Peace Corps duty in the Republic of Uganda. Who knows? It caused us to wonder about the status of young Americans serving there now.
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