My favorite thing about service is…

Service Year Challenge #3 - Social Impact

"Officially, a Corps member service term in City Year lasts roughly ten months. But the values you learn about civic engagement (even if you're not on City Year's Civic Engagement team) last a lifetime."

Airbnb is back, and pushing Civic Engagement outside of the workplace. In this challenge, there is a reminder that Service does not stop after you go home from work. The people and communities you serve are still out there, living their lives, regardless of whether or not you show up. And while that may sound like the weight of the world is on your shoulders, you're not the only one trying to make an impact. Airbnb challenged us to try a Social Impact experience, where you have the chance to learn or work with an activist or nonprofit, and see what it is that they are doing to make the changes they want to see in their community.

That's how I met Jordan, who took me and a handful of others on a walking tour of Manhattan, learning the story behind the establishments that have influenced (or were influenced) by the LGBTQ community. From the Stonewall Inn, to the Little Red School House, Jordan discussed at great length the triumphs that took place, as well as the tragic infighting that the LGBTQ community suffered during the Sexual Revolution. All the money from booking Jordan's Social Impact experience goes to his non-profit, Video Out: a digital library of Coming Out stories for members of the LGBTQ community. To quote the website, "Coming out is the greatest act any of us can take in providing hope." Jordan mentioned that Coming Out was much easier after becoming friends with someone who already had, and Video Out's library aims to help provide that same courage and hope that they need to do the same.

Thanks Jordan, good luck!

- Joshua Paquette
City Year Senior Corps
New York Civic Engagement Team