OUR LEGACY
After signing an Executive Order establishing the Peace Corps on March 1, 1961 in the Oval Office, President John F. Kennedy hands a pen to Sargent Shriver, the first Director of the Peace Corps.
Trinity Alliance Partners is proud to honor the legacy of R. Sargent Shriver [1915-2011], who was the brother-in-law of President John F. Kennedy [1917-1963], both of whom attended Canterbury School in New Milford, CT and were Knights of Columbus. During the 20th century, Shriver improved the lives of millions and millions of people living on the margins of society around the world and in the United States. He is remembered as the “architect” of the “War on Poverty”, and founded the Office of Economic Opportunity, the Job Corps, Upward Bound, Head Start, Foster Grandparents and VISTA. Shriver was also the driving force and founder of the Peace Corps and the Special Olympics with his wife, Eunice Kennedy Shriver.
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"I have signed an Executive Order today providing for the establishment of a Peace Corps. I am also sending to Congress a message proposing authorization of a permanent Peace Corps."
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President John F. Kennedy
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"The Peace Corps represents, some, if not all, of the best virtues in this society. It stands for everything that America has ever stood for. It stands for everything we believe in and hope to achieve in this world."
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Sargent Shriver
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Sargent Shriver and President John F. Kennedy on their way to greet the inaugural group of Peace Corps volunteers at the White House.