STAY Inspired: Our Blog

For Deja Douglas, moving into AcademySTAY wasn't just about a room; it was about reclaiming her nervous system. After years of "codependent survival" and grueling commutes to Sacramento State, she finally found a safe place to be planted. "I realized I didn't have to depend on a person... I could depend on myself," she says. Today, as a first-generation college graduate, Deja isn't just a success story - she is a cycle-breaker.

When she entered AcademySTAY, she knew she wanted more...but wasn’t sure how to get there.

At 24, Ty is a senior at Sacramento State studying Criminal Justice and a young man with a clear mission: to change the narrative for foster youth outcomes.

This month, we celebrated a milestone that proves what’s possible when housing, mentorship, and opportunity come together: our very first graduate from a trade school program.

Today we shine the Student Spotlight on Rose, whose journey from the foster care system reminds us why our work matters.

Starr is a student, a poet, a prom princess, and a young woman learning to build a life she’s never seen modeled. She’s working toward stability, independence, and a future she can be proud of.

In a world where nearly 50% of youth aging out of care will experience homelessness within 18 months, AcademySTAY offers more than housing. It offers safety, support—and in this case, a chance to turn brotherhood into a shared foundation.