By Jenny Davidson, Founder & CEO
Dear AcademySTAY Community,
It’s incredible to see how much progress we’ve made together in just a few short months! Your unwavering support, dedication, and generosity continue to inspire me—and I’m excited to share some of the latest happenings around AcademySTAY.
Empowering Volunteers to Make a Difference
Thanks to your enthusiasm, we’ve hosted not one, but two successful volunteer training sessions. It’s heartening to see so many community members eager to invest their time and talents into supporting our students as they navigate their paths toward independence.
If you missed the earlier sessions, there’s still time to get involved! Our next Volunteer Training will be held on March 19th from 4:30 to 7:30 PM at our complex. Whether you’re ready to join as a mentor, provide transportation support, or help organize activities, we would love to welcome you. To secure your spot, be sure to fill out our volunteer application and reach out to Rachel directly.
Not all volunteer opportunities require formal training—there are many ways to make a meaningful impact! Whether it’s helping organize our clothing closet, preparing meals for Game Night, or lending a hand with administrative tasks, every contribution matters.
AcademySTAY in the Spotlight
I’m thrilled to share that AcademySTAY is being featured on CapRadio! This incredible opportunity allows us to spotlight the work we’re doing, amplify our students’ voices, and invite even more community members to get involved. Be sure to tune in over the next few weeks and help us spread the word by sharing these segments with your friends and family.
Calling All Home Cooks!
One exciting opportunity right now is our volunteer meal program. Thanks to generous food bank donations, we have a supply of fresh vegetables, eggs, and other ingredients—but we’d love your creativity to help turn them into nourishing meals for our students. You’re also welcome to bring your own favorite ingredients and show students how to cook budget-friendly meals they can recreate on their own.
Many of our students are just learning how to cook beyond the basics, so every cooking lesson you provide is an opportunity to help them build lifelong skills and confidence in the kitchen. Whether you prefer to cook at home and drop off a meal, or join us at the complex to cook alongside our students, your support makes a real difference. No special training is required—just a love of cooking and a desire to help!
Supporting Our Students One Appliance and Notebook at a Time
As we continue building out student apartments, we’re seeking donations for our Appliance Drive and Back-to-School Supply Drive. Every coffee maker, blender, and backpack helps create a stable, welcoming home where students can thrive academically and personally. If you’re able to contribute, you can check out our Appliance Wishlist and Back-to-School Wishlist online.
Welcoming—and Wishing Farewell to—AmeriCorps NCCC
This past month, we had the pleasure of hosting a group of AmeriCorps NCCC students through our partners at Alchemist CDC. Their energy, compassion, and commitment to service brought so much life to our campus. While we’re sad to see them go at the end of February, we are deeply grateful for their contributions and know they’ll continue to make a difference wherever they go.
Thank You for Building This Community with Us
As we look ahead, I am filled with hope and excitement for all we can accomplish together. Whether you’re volunteering, donating, spreading the word, or cheering us on from afar, you are an essential part of the AcademySTAY family. Together, we are building a community where every young adult has the support, resources, and opportunities they need to write their next chapter with confidence.
If you’d like to learn more, sign up to volunteer, or find other ways to get involved, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Thank you for your ongoing support—our work would not be possible without you.
With gratitude,
Jenny Davidson
Founder & CEOAcademySTAY
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