Bridging the Gap: Stability Through Advocacy (STAY) Marks Early Impact and Expands Community-Based Support Across the Capital Region
Grassroots nonprofit highlights Recharge & Connect, housing-stability outcomes, and plans for a Community Stability Hub.
COHOES, NY – October 6, 2026 – In its first months of service, Stability Through Advocacy, Inc. (STAY) has grown from a grassroots vision into an active community-based organization helping people overcome barriers to housing, behavioral health care, essential resources, and long-term stability.
Since launching services in March 2026, STAY has served more than 70 community members, distributed 55+ Stability Starter Kits, prevented four evictions, supported six emergency-shelter connections, facilitated one permanent housing placement, and helped connect two people to behavioral-health services. Volunteers have also contributed more than 1,000 hours to direct assistance, outreach, program development, and governance.
These outcomes reflect STAY’s central purpose: closing the gap between identifying a need, receiving a referral, and successfully accessing help.
“People are frequently given a phone number, website, or list of resources and then expected to navigate complicated systems while they are already in crisis,” said Brittani Hall, Founder and President of Stability Through Advocacy. “STAY was created to remain involved—to help identify what is preventing someone from moving forward, address that barrier when we can, and follow through until a connection becomes real.”
From prolonged instability to permanent housing
One of STAY’s most significant early outcomes involved a community member who had experienced nearly five years of housing instability, including periods of sleeping in a vehicle and staying temporarily with others.
Working alongside community partners who helped secure an apartment, STAY removed a final barrier by providing security-deposit assistance. The community member moved into permanent housing, and STAY will continue to provide follow-up support as they settle in and obtain household essentials.
The outcome highlights the value of sustained, collaborative support: even when housing is identified, practical barriers can still prevent someone from successfully moving in.
Bringing connection directly into the community
STAY has also launched Version One of its Recharge & Connect Station, a mobile station offering free device charging alongside low-barrier resource navigation and support.
Introduced through outreach in Albany and Troy, including SYNC and Sidewalk Warriors Troy, the station creates an approachable point of contact for people needing to charge a phone, reconnect with a provider, access information, or discuss a housing or behavioral-health concern.
“Charging a phone may seem like a small intervention, but that phone can be someone’s connection to a landlord, shelter, benefits office, health care provider, or employment opportunity,” Hall said. “Recharge & Connect allows us to address an immediate practical need while creating an opening for trust, conversation, and connection.”
Early investment in Community Stability Navigation
STAY’s continued development is supported by a $5,000 investment from MVP Health Care for the organization’s upcoming Community Stability Navigation pilot.
Community Stability Navigation combines individualized resource navigation with advocacy, practical barrier-removal assistance, warm connections, and sustained follow-through. MVP Health Care’s support will help STAY strengthen the foundational resources needed to deliver this work through outreach and community-based engagement.
“Healthy communities are built when people have the support they need to navigate life's challenges and access opportunities to thrive,” said Augusta Martin, Chief Revenue Officer at MVP Health Care. “Organizations like STAY are helping close critical gaps by meeting people where they are, removing barriers to care and stability, and creating meaningful connections that can change lives. MVP is proud to support this important work and invest in community-driven solutions that strengthen health, well-being, and opportunity across the Capital Region.”
“MVP’s support represents more than funding. It is an early investment in the belief that smaller, community-rooted organizations can help close persistent gaps between systems and the people those systems are intended to serve. We are incredibly grateful that MVP recognized the potential of this work during such an important stage of STAY’s development,” Hall said.
Looking ahead: the STAY Community Stability Hub
STAY’s next chapter includes developing a permanent Community Stability Hub, creating a consistent and welcoming home base for housing and resource navigation, practical assistance, technology access, and community connection while continuing outreach across the Capital Region.
STAY is currently seeking sponsors, community partners, in-kind contributions, and sustainable funding to help make the Hub possible and expand the organization’s capacity.
“Our first months have shown both the depth of the need and what is possible when someone stays involved,” Hall said. “We have helped people move into permanent housing, remain housed, reach emergency shelter, connect with behavioral-health support, and overcome immediate barriers. Now we are building the infrastructure needed to sustain and expand that impact.”
To learn more, request assistance, become a community partner, or support the STAY Community Stability Hub, visit www.stayny.org.
About Stability Through Advocacy, Inc.
Stability Through Advocacy, Inc. prevents and responds to housing instability by helping individuals and households overcome barriers to housing, behavioral health care, essential resources, and long-term stability through low-barrier, person-centered navigation, advocacy, practical support, and sustained follow-through.
Media Contact
Brittani Hall
Founder and President
Stability Through Advocacy, Inc.
518-720-4774