From the Founder: Spring Growth and Exciting Updates at AcademySTAY

By Jenny Davidson, Founder & CEO

Jenny Davidson

Dear AcademySTAY Community,

Spring has arrived, and with it comes new beginnings, exciting opportunities, and inspiring moments for our students and our community. As always, I’m filled with gratitude for the incredible support that makes all this possible—and I’m thrilled to share some of our latest updates with you.

Expanding Our Reach to Support More Students

One of the most exciting changes this month is the expansion of our eligibility criteria, allowing us to open our doors to even more former foster youth. This means more young adults will have access to stable housing, supportive services, and the tools they need to build independent, successful futures. If you’d like to learn more about these changes—or know a young adult who could benefit from our programs—please don’t hesitate to reach out or visit our Eligibility page. Every new student we welcome is another life we have the chance to help transform.

Student Adventures and First-Time Experiences

At AcademySTAY, we know that life skills are built both inside and outside the classroom. Our students recently had the chance to participate in several enriching outings and experiences that introduced them to new places, creative outlets, and even potential career paths.

• 🎤 Slam Poetry Night gave students a space to express themselves through spoken word, sharing their stories with courage and creativity.

• 🏛 Free Museum Day offered a chance to explore Sacramento’s rich history and culture, with visits to Sutter’s Fort and other local gems.

• 🎬 A few of our students even got a behind-the-scenes look at the film production process, helping to create a promotional video about AcademySTAY!

These experiences are more than just fun outings—they’re opportunities for growth, self-discovery, and confidence building, and we’re so proud to make them part of the AcademySTAY journey.

Join Us – Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities

If you’ve been looking for a way to get involved, we have a hands-on opportunity coming up where you can make an immediate impact:

• 🌿 Garden Clean-Up Day

  Friday, April 5th, 9 AM - 1 PM

  Spring is the perfect time to refresh our community garden, and we’d love your help clearing, prepping, and getting it ready for planting. Please register by calling (916) 248-7961.

• 🌿 Plant-the-Garden Day

  Saturday, April 26, 9 AM – 2 PM

  Now that the garden is prepped, it’s time to plant new life! Join us as we work together to create a vibrant, nourishing space for our students to enjoy. Please register by calling (916) 248-7961.

Whether you’re looking to volunteer once or on a regular basis, every hour you give helps create a brighter future for our students.

Support AcademySTAY – Give or Donate Supplies

Your generosity fuels everything we do. If you’d like to support our students beyond volunteering, here are two impactful ways to help:

• Make a Financial Donation – Your gift directly funds housing, educational resources, and enrichment opportunities for young adults transitioning from foster care. You can give online here: Donate to AcademySTAY.

• Contribute Supplies via Our Amazon Wishlist – Help us stock up on essentials by purchasing items from our Amazon Wish List. Every donation, big or small, makes a difference!

Save the Date – Big Day of Giving is May 1!

We’re already gearing up for Big Day of Giving 2025, an incredible opportunity to raise critical funds that directly support our students’ housing, education, and enrichment opportunities. We’ll be sharing more details soon about how you can get involved, spread the word, and help us make an even greater impact this year. Stay tuned!

Thank You for Being Part of Our Story

Every success we celebrate, every challenge we overcome, and every student whose life is changed—it all happens because of your support. Whether you volunteer, donate, spread the word, or simply cheer us on from afar, you are part of the AcademySTAY family, and we are so grateful.

As spring unfolds, I look forward to sharing more stories of growth, resilience, and transformation with you. Thank you for believing in our students and in the power of community to change lives.

With gratitude,

Jenny Davidson

Founder & CEOAcademySTAY