Ericka Sanders (Thompson) 

NCHS CLASS OF 1999

Ericka Sanders’s story is a powerful reflection of the transformative potential within our schools. As a freshman at North Central High School, Ericka encountered a caring educator who saw beyond the surface and chose compassion over punishment. That moment of connection ignited a path that led her to become the Founder and Executive Director of You Yes You!, a nonprofit dedicated to strengthening bonds between incarcerated fathers and their children.

We are proud to have played a role in shaping a leader whose impact reaches far beyond the classroom.

 

Q&A

 

 

What are you up to now?

I am the Founder and Executive Director of a nonprofit called You Yes You! Our mission is to help build relationships between incarcerated fathers and their children and strengthen their ability to be fathers.

Our programming includes fatherhood workshops, therapy, storytelling, free legal assistance and opportunities for the dads to spend quality time with their children outside of the normal restrictions of prison visiting rooms. We also have a reentry program where we assist with basic needs, employment, mental health, mentorship and free family events.

You Yes You! is currently inside three Indiana prisons.

How did North Central impact and shape who you are today?

I met my mentor during my freshman year at NC. I was a kid that looked full on the outside, but was empty on the inside. I didn’t care much about school when I first got to NC. I was skipping a class for the third time, was caught and sent to the attendance dean. Instead of serving me with the standard three day suspension, the dean provided me with an opportunity to take part in a program offered for teen girls where they volunteered.

Having someone not only see how empty I was on the inside, but actually care that I was empty on the inside and walk alongside me helping me see my value changed my life. A large part of my work with You Yes You! is about supporting, loving and believing in someone with no conditions. I wouldn’t be able to do my work effectively, without this experience at NC.

WHAT IS your favorite memory from North Central?

I have so many from Big Cookie Day on Friday to being part of the class that won the school’s first basketball state title.

My favorite memory, however, is being part of NC’s student magazine Equinox. I always wanted to be a magazine writer so being part of the school’s esteemed publications department was a dream. It not only laid the foundation for how to be a good writer, but I learned the importance of being unbiased and working in partnership with people from different communities and backgrounds.

I also loved being part of the magazine staff because I was able to do the coolest thing: interview famous musical artists. I interviewed everyone from SWV to Total to Boyz II Men to OutKast. And those interviews are in print at NC – forever.

Connect with Ericka

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/youyesyouproject/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/youyesyouproject/

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