CELEBRATE COLLEGE SIGNING DAY WITH FIRST LADY MICH

 NEW YORK, April 26, 2016—As part of Michelle Obama’s Reach Higher initiative, Summer Search, Airbnb and UNCF today joined together with the first lady during her signature College Signing Day at New York City’s Harlem Armory. More than 4,000 students from across New York high schools participated.

This was the third annual College Signing Day that Obama has hosted to celebrate high school seniors choosing to pursue higher education at a professional training program, community college or four-year college or university.

College Signing Day continues her efforts to inspire young people to pursue their education past high school. Last October, the first lady launched Better Make Room, a public awareness campaign targeted at Generation Z, or young people ages 14-19, to celebrate education, change the national conversation, and give students the tools and resources they need to continue their education past high school.

In support of College Signing Day and as part of their commitment to improved access to higher education, Summer Search and UNCF will partner with Airbnb to provide students with access and free travel to important college events through Airbnb’s Open Homes Program. College visits are an important part of identifying the best-fit school for students to call home for four years, yet visiting a campus or attending orientation can be an unanticipated expense for students and parents with already limited financial resources. Additionally, this philanthropic program helps organizations across the globe provide individuals with free, temporary housing during a time of need, celebration or adventure.

“We are honored to join first lady Michelle Obama today as she celebrates the importance of higher education,” said Amy Saxton, CEO of Summer Search. “Our philosophy is in tune with the first lady’s initiative: by building strong partnerships with like-minded organizations such as Airbnb we help students cover oftentimes hidden costs. By partnering with Airbnb we are able to provide free accommodations for students and their families who are visiting colleges and attending freshman orientation weekends.”

Ninety percent of Summer Search students are the first in their families to attend college. Through this partnership, Airbnb is working with Summer Search to provide hundreds of Summer Search students and their families with travel coupons to book free Airbnb accommodations for these important milestones.

“We must remain diligent in investing in the success of our young people, thus securing better futures for generations and communities to come,” said Dr. Michael L. Lomax, president and CEO of UNCF. “As students are accepting college offers, UNCF is the bridge that makes it all possible. We are extremely excited to support the First Lady’s initiative and celebrate our burgeoning partnership with Airbnb to advance our important mission of getting students to and through college.”