Leading With Heart. Fighting for Our Children.
01
Rooted in Community
Service Rooted in Love for Community
From a young age, Dr. Ricks has been deeply involved in the West Fresno community. Whether participating in neighborhood cleanups, organizing youth activities, or marching for social justice, her commitment to service has always been grounded in a belief that strong communities are built when people show up for one another. Her work reflects a lifelong dedication to uplifting voices, creating access to resources, and ensuring that children and families feel seen, valued, and supported. Service, for Dr. Ricks, is not occasional-it is a way of life.
02
Beyond the Bell
Supporting Students Beyond the Classroom
Dr. Ricks served as a school counselor at Columbia, Kirk, and Addams Elementary Schools, where she provided social emotional support and crisis intervention services to students. Through this work, she quickly recognized that many students’ needs extended far beyond the school day and the classroom walls. Motivated to address those unmet needs, Dr. Ricks founded the I AM Valuable Mentoring Program, an initiative designed to provide students with social-emotional, behavioral, and mental health support in safe, affirming spaces that center identity, belonging, and self-worth.
03
Growth & Empowerment
Empowering Youth Through Mentorship
In 2018, Dr. Ricks launched the Value Academy, a mentoring and leadership program for teen girls focused on self-development, confidence, and personal growth. Through intentional mentoring and coaching, she helped participants strengthen their sense of identity, build resilience, and envision futures rooted in purpose and possibility.
Recognizing the need to extend these supports, Dr. Ricks introduced a mentoring cohort for boys in 2019. Although the program was paused in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, her commitment to youth mentorship never wavered.
In 2021, she formally established the I AM Valuable Mentoring Program, expanding its reach to help students discover their identity, worth, and value through trauma-informed and culturally responsive practices.
Since 2018, I AM Valuable has served over 500 students across 18 schools throughout Fresno County, with the majority of participants residing in Area 1, including Kirk, Edison, Gaston, Addams, and Jefferson communities. Over the past four years, the program has provided holistic support that nurtures students’ emotional well-being, confidence, and academic engagement.
The success of I AM Valuable is made possible by the dedication of the students, the trust of parents, the service of undergraduate and graduate counseling and social work interns, strong community partnerships, and the generous support of grant partners including the California Department of Education and Kaiser Permanente.
04
Fostering Whole, Happy, and Healthy Families
Partnering With Parents and Families
In 2022, Dr. Ricks expanded her community work by creating parenting education courses designed to equip parents with tools, knowledge, and support to navigate parenting with confidence and care. These courses were intentionally developed to foster healing, strengthen family relationships, and empower parents as partners in their children’s growth.
Many of the participating parents reside in Area 1, reflecting Dr. Ricks’ continued commitment to supporting families within her own community. For the past three years, I AM Valuable has facilitated parenting courses specifically for African American parents, focusing on healing from generational trauma and cultivating healthy, affirming environments for children.
This work has been supported by meaningful collaborations with community partners such as Fresno Housing, licensed clinical social workers, grant funders including First Five and Kaiser Permanente, and most importantly, the parents themselves, whose openness and dedication drive the program’s success.
05
Guiding the Next Generation
Current Community Programs
Currently, I AM Valuable is serving children residing at Legacy Commons (Area 1) through the Heart and Mind Club, facilitated by Dr. Ricks, which focuses on emotional wellness, self-awareness, and positive peer connection.
In addition, I AM Valuable is offering English courses for Spanish-speaking parents at Mariposa Commons (Area 1), with classes scheduled to begin on February 17, 2026, from 4:00–5:00 PM.
06
Join Us In Impacting Our Future
Get Involved
Community impact is strongest when we work together. For more information on how to partner with or support I AM Valuable, please contact Dr. Ricks at:
ihavevalue2018@gmail.com