Airbnb and Service Nation: A Partnership to Empower Service

This year, I am grateful to participate in a pilot project with Airbnb and the non-profit organization, ServiceNation. The goal of this initiative is to support and engage millennials devoting a year to service by providing them with free temporary housing while they secure permanent housing in a new community.  Although it is challenging to move to a new place and live on a modest stipend, the temporary housing provided through Airbnb allows national service members to “Belong Anywhere” and more swiftly engage with their new communities. 

To me, this initiative is an opportunity to empower and enable young people such as myself to give back to their communities.  As a former AmeriCorps VISTA summer term member, I am inspired to continue national service with the National Health Corps of Northern Florida. The National Health Corps strives to strengthen communities by connecting those who need it the most with benefits, services, and health and wellness education. This year, I am serving at the Florida Department of Health in Baker County, which is one of the 60 organizations nationwide where AmeriCorps members serve.  In my role as a health educator, I focus on preventive health issues including tobacco, obesity, oral health, and substance abuse awareness, as well as positive youth development such as healthy decision making and mental health.  I have lived and attended school in rural Northwestern Pennsylvania for 11 years and look forward to becoming a part of a community that reminds me of my hometown.  While I have witnessed many rural health disparities first-hand, my experiences with youth in physical activity and nutrition have motivated me to continue my service in a rural area.

Moving from a small town of 6,000 people to Jacksonville, FL was a dramatic change, yet all the while, a very rewarding challenge. Airbnb and ServiceNation made my year of service possible by helping me to secure temporary lodging at a cottage in Jacksonville Beach while I looked for permanent housing in the city. I successfully found housing near my service site, but also enjoyed running in the local parks and along the beach in my spare time. My accommodations undoubtedly helped me to more easily acclimate to Jacksonville. It was very beneficial for me to familiarize myself with my host site, and meet others with whom I am serving.  I am truly excited to have participated in this pilot, and I cannot wait to see how these efforts benefit others also pursuing national service.    

This blog post was written by NHC member in North Florida, Cailyn Lingwall.

Cailyn serves at FDOH in Baker County as a Health Educator.