Max Richard Harleman, 24, of Kunkletown, has been accepted into the Peace Corps and will depart for Grenada, in the Eastern Caribbean, January 24th to begin training as a Youth Development volunteer. Harleman will live and work in a community to initiate educational programs, assist teachers, and implement after-school and educational extension activities.

"I was motivated to join the Peace Corps by my previous volunteer experiences abroad and by the unparalleled opportunity to use my skills to help an underserved community," said Harleman.Harleman is the son of Lyn and Dennis Harleman and a graduate of Palmerton Area High School. He then attended the University of Pittsburgh where he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Marketing and International Business in 2010.During the first three months of his service, Harleman will live with a host family in The Eastern Caribbean to become fully immersed in the country's language and culture. After acquiring the language and cultural skills necessary to assist his community, Harleman will be sworn into service and be assigned to a community in Grenada, where he will live and work for two years with the local people.Harleman previously worked in Peru with the non-profit organization One Laptop per Child, instructing students and teachers on using low-cost computers. Additionally, while working in the field of Market Research in New York City, he volunteered to teach English as a Second Language to adults in his community.He says his career interest in international development, specifically with a focus on development economics may lead him to pursue further education once his service is complete.Harleman will join the more than 7,618 Pennsylvania residents who have served in the Peace Corps since 1961.Pennsylvania tops the 2012 list of states with the highest number of Peace Corps volunteers. Three-hundred-thirty currently-serving Peace Corps volunteers call the Keystone State home, making it the number seven Peace Corps volunteer-producing state in the nation.About Peace Corps/Eastern Caribbean: More than 3,815 Peace Corps volunteers have served in the Eastern Caribbean since the program was established in 1961. Currently, 98 volunteers serve in the Eastern Caribbean. Volunteers work in the areas of community development, business and education. Volunteers are trained and work in the following languages: English and French Creole (Kweyol).About the Peace Corps: Since President John F. Kennedy established the Peace Corps by executive order on March 1, 1961, more than 210,000 Americans have served in 139 host countries. Today, 8,073 volunteers are working with local communities in 76 host countries in agriculture, community economic development, education, environment, health and youth in development. Peace Corps volunteers must be U.S. citizens and at least 18 years of age. Peace Corps service is a 27-month commitment and the agency's mission is to promote world peace and friendship and a better understanding between Americans and people of other countries.Visit

www.peacecorps.gov for more information.