In Memory of My Son, For the Kids Who Get to Stay

For the Kids Who Get to Stay

Twenty years ago, I lost my son, Jordan, to a rare genetic condition. He was just a baby — and though his time here was brief, he changed everything about how I saw the world.

When Jordan passed, I made a promise to myself: if I couldn’t change his story, I would dedicate my life to making the world better for the kids who get to stay.

That promise shaped everything I’ve done since.

I went back to school as a working mom. I earned my MBA. I built a career leading nonprofits that supported survivors of human trafficking, domestic violence, and homelessness. And I kept asking one question:

Who gets left behind?

For me, the answer became heartbreakingly clear — foster youth aging out of the system.

Young adults leaving foster care are often expected to navigate life on their own at 18 or 21 — with no family to call, no safety net, and no stable place to land.

Many dream of going to college or trade school — but without housing, food security, or emotional support, those dreams slip further and further away.

I knew we had to do better.

That’s why I founded AcademySTAY — a safe, stable place where foster youth in Sacramento can live while they pursue education, build life skills, and create a future of their own design.

Located in North Sacramento, AcademySTAY provides transitional housing for young adults aging out of foster care. But we are so much more than apartments.

We offer:

• A fully furnished, safe place to call home

• Personalized support from mentors and case managers

• Life skills classes that prepare students for independence

• Community connections that foster belonging

• And most importantly — a reminder that they are not alone.

Every student who walks through our doors carries hopes, goals, and resilience beyond measure. What they need is a chance.

Why I’m Asking for Your Help Today

This Big Day of Giving, I’m asking you to stand with us.

Your donation provides more than just housing — it provides hope, stability, and the belief that their future can look different.

Every dollar helps us house more students, offer more life skills classes, and create a supportive environment where young adults can thrive.

Together, we can break cycles of instability and create lasting change — for the kids who get to stay.

Thank you for being part of this story.

With gratitude,

Jenny Davidson

Founder & Executive Director, AcademySTAY