For Immediate Release
Washington, D.C., June 28, 2017 -- Today, Service Year Alliance, the national organization striving to make a year of paid, full-time service — a service year — a common expectation and opportunity for all young Americans, unveiled their newest initiative, “Service Year 100.” The announcement took place at the National Service Symposium in San Francisco, CA.
This first-of-its-kind program will challenge 100 of today’s best and brightest young people to take their service year to the next level by serving communities in a new and different way. Each of the program’s participants will be issued special challenges throughout their year of service that will super-charge their leadership skills, promote relationship-building, and teach collaboration, all in an effort to shape the next generation entering the workforce.
Through in-kind donations, Airbnb, LinkedIn and Starbucks will offer special incentives for participants to enhance their experience and help them complete each of their challenges. Additionally, they will have access to hiring teams, speakers series, and local events at Airbnb, LinkedIn, and Starbucks to help continue their career trajectory.
“In a time when the world is divided, we want to challenge today’s young people to be the positive bridge-builders our country needs now more than ever,” said Shirley Sagawa, CEO, Service Year Alliance. “By partnering with some of the world’s biggest brands, we are able to provide excellent resources to not only help program participants succeed during their service year, but help shape them to be leaders, problem-solvers, and team players as they enter the workforce.”
In an effort designed to give “Service Year 100” participants a new opportunity to become the bridge-builders America needs today, they will be offered special incentives that can be used to complete their challenges and expand their service year.
- Building on a three year partnership with Service Year Alliance, Airbnb is challenging “Service Year 100” members to establish trust with strangers in their new communities and to step outside their comfort zone by providing a free relocation voucher to use on both Airbnb accommodations and experiences as they move to their new service city. The Airbnb experiences will focus on social impact and connect members to new neighborhoods through the eyes of local nonprofits.
- Providing free LinkedIn Learning and Premium accounts, LinkedIn is challenging participants to advance their careers by learning new skills and leveraging their networks
- Starbucks is offering free gift cards for participants to use as they build relationships with someone new through their service experience.
Applicants for “Service Year 100” must be enrolled in a service year opportunity on ServiceYear.org and serve in one of the five Service Year 100 cities: Chicago, IL, Los Angeles, CA, New York, NY, San Francisco, CA, and Seattle, WA. To learn more, please visit serviceyear.org/100.
About Service Year Alliance
Service Year Alliance is working to make a year of paid, full-time service — a service year — a common expectation and opportunity for all young Americans. A service year is a paid opportunity to gain real-world skills through hands-on service. Over 65,000 young people participate in a service year annually. Completed before, during, or after college, a service year gives young people the chance to transform their lives, make an impact in their community, and become the active citizens and leaders our nation needs. Expanding service years has the power to revitalize cities, uplift and educate children at risk, and empower communities struggling with poverty. Learn more at ServiceYear.org.
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Media Contact:
Megan Hanson for Service Year Alliance
701-640-1173
