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Intro

Introduction paragraph

Can be found here:

• Links to listen

• Links of references from the show

• Production learnings

• Story Time

• Episode Summary

• Episode Transcript

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Important links and mentions

• IUYA

• Indy Rapid Response

Third Space Indy is supported by City Rising

Episode Summary

Host Michael Zarick welcomes listeners to Third Space Indy and interviews Sayra and Wendy from the Indiana Undocumented Youth Alliance (IUYA). Sayra explains IUYA’s origins in 2012 after anti-immigrant legislation and the passage of HB 1402 in 2011, which removed in-state tuition for undocumented students; the group initially fundraised through yard sales to award two $500 scholarships to Ivy Tech students and later incorporated as a 501(c)(3) in 2015. The conversation covers IUYA’s evolution into statewide “know your rights” workshops with attorneys during President Trump’s first presidency, emergency resources, a social justice mentorship program, ongoing scholarships, referrals and resource connections, community safety trainings, and current financial assistance for families impacted by ICE (including utilities, rent, and attorney fees). Wendy and Sayra discuss continuing their work despite being targeted, emphasizing long-standing community roots and the need to keep moving forward. They reflect on organizing history around the Dream Act, civil disobedience at the State House, and how youth organizing pressured the creation of DACA. The episode addresses Indiana’s SB 76 and how IUYA focuses on centering community needs and responding to legislative impacts rather than legislative advocacy itself, while encouraging non-impacted people to get involved through time, skills, or donations. They share how to volunteer via iuya.org and by messaging IUYA on Instagram, and highlight Indy Rapid Response as a local network offering trainings, a community safety training on Monday, February 23 at 7:30 PM, and a hotline (855-589-4639) to report ICE sightings.

Find IUYA online: Instagram/Facebook @undocuhoosier and iuya.org.

00:00 Why We Keep Going: ‘Aquí estamos y no nos vamos’
00:39 Welcome to Third Space Indy + Protecting Guest Identities
01:47 Meet Sayra & Wendy (Indiana Undocumented Youth Alliance)
02:48 How IUYA Started: HB 1402 and the Fight for In‑State Tuition
04:06 From Scholarships to Know‑Your‑Rights: IUYA’s Programs Grow
06:47 Living With a Target: Staying Unafraid and Unapologetic
09:41 Sayra’s Organizing Journey: Dream Act Protests to DACA Pressure
13:25 Wendy’s Perspective: Learning the History Behind DACA
15:14 What SB 76 Could Mean + IUYA’s Community-First Response
18:45 How Allies Can Help: Time, Talent, Treasure + Direct Family Support Fund
22:06 14 Years In: Community & Business Support in Indianapolis
25:30 More Ways to Get Involved: Indy Rapid Response & Safety Trainings
28:07 Rapid Response Hotline & Last Call for Registration
28:54 Sponsor Shout-Out + Defining a “Third Space”
31:13 Third Spaces We’ve Lost: Restaurant Kitchens & School Community
34:17 Teacher & Mentor Shout-Outs (and Service Industry Real Talk)
37:49 What Makes a Business Worth Supporting? Safety Signals & Community Boards
40:48 Policy Reality Check + How to Show Up for Neighbors
43:22 Question for the Next Guest: What Do You Procrastinate Most?
44:32 Where to Find IUYA + Final Thanks and Sign-Off

Episode Transcript

Voices from Indiana Undocumented Youth Alliance

[00:00:00] Sayra: Yeah, I guess the only thing that I would add is that we don't have a choice. You know, we've gotta keep it moving. Our communities are still have to have, we're here to support, you know, like those that are most impacted and those that stand with us and those that are stand behind us and those that depend on us.

So yeah, we just kind of have to keep pushing forward. Um, ¡Aquí estamos y no nos vamos!

[00:00:39] Michael Zarick: Hello. Welcome to this episode of Third Space Indy. My name is Michael Zarick and in 1989, a man named Ray Oldenberg wrote a book called The Great Good Place, and in this book he coined a term called The Third Place. This describes a place that is outside of your work and outside of your home, that you can go be with others, build community, and just be yourself.

So I've made it my goal here in Indianapolis to find people who are building community in their very own way, which brings me to this week's guests. And if you're watching on YouTube, you'll notice that there's no video, uh, that is. With the explicit purpose of protecting the identity of, uh, the people involved as much as they feel comfortable.

Uh, and so today I'm excited to share that I'm joined by Sayra and Wendy of the Indiana Undocumented Youth Alliance. Uh. I reached out to them because I saw a lot of local businesses and individuals, uh, thinking about donating and I had never heard of them. So I was interested in their work, what they're doing here locally, and, um, what's going on.

So first of all, hi Wendy and hi Sayra.

[00:01:50] Wendy: Hi, my name is Wendy. I am a volunteer with IUYA also known as Indiana Undocumented Youth Alliance. And I've been around for some time now, uh, here in Indianapolis and supporting our community in any way I can.

[00:02:03] Sayra: And my name is Sayra and I, I am a founding member of the Indiana Undocumented Youth Alliance, and I've been around Indianapolis for over 30 years now.

[00:02:12] Michael Zarick: That's super long. It. I told you that I only moved to Indianapolis back in, uh, October of 20 24, 25. Wait, what was last year? 25. October of 24 is when I moved here. Um, so like I said, I reached out because I saw a large amount of people. Uh, donating to you and I was obviously you caught my eye as well.

Um, so I really reached out to get a greater understanding of you, your organization, and like your work. Um, so why don't we start, uh, Sayra because you're one of the founding members. Talk about the origins of, uh, what you guys call IUYA Mm.

[00:02:48] Sayra: So, um, IUYA a, the Indiana Undocumented Youth Alliance, um, started, um, and began its formations back in 2012 after some anti-immigrant legislation had passed the summer before in, um, 2011.

So more specifically, it was, um, founders were made up of. At the time, youth, myself and other youth that were, um, trying to figure out ways and alternatives to continue to, go to higher education or stay in higher education, whether that was, um, at a university, local college, or like different training programs.

and what s. HB 1402 did was that it took away in-state tuition to undocumented students. And so that is kind of where IUYA started. Um, us trying to figure out and navigate these higher ed spaces. And we started by mainly trying to fund. To be able to provide scholarships to other undocumented students across the state.

And our very first round of scholarships, um, we gave out two, $500 scholarships to, um, some students at Ivy Tech. And those funds were fundraised, um, through yard sales from that summer and slowly, um. IUYA has began to develop into, um, reaching different areas. Um, following that, it was shortly after it was the President Trump's first round in presidency.

And we did a lot of know your rights. Um, workshops around the states where we traveled with attorneys to different cities, um, to provide, um, a lot of resources and emergency kits to different communities across the state. Um, we've also had a social justice mentorship program for undocumented youth to connect with.

Um. Mentors that can help them navigate spaces. we've currently also help families with financial assistance, um, when they need support. Um, and lately, um, we've been helping a lot as well with, connecting families to different resources or their organizations, making referrals, kind of meeting people where they are and.

Seeing what their needs are, and we still do provide scholarships and, um, connect with other organizations to help our community have access to community safety trainings and different things that may be useful during this time. Yeah. Do you wanna add one?

[00:05:18] Wendy: Well, I am not a founding member, but, uh, during this time when IUYA was forming, uh, I was also just as impacted, uh, except I was not at the college level.

Um, I was actually in high school, but I really do reflect a lot on just. Uh, how brave the youth were at that time and putting their bodies physically on the line to, uh, demand. Something that we all recognize is, is uh, very, very needed, right? Like the right to education, the right to have higher ed education at that time.

And so I really can't be more grateful for the founding leaders and people that had to do, and had to organize in a creative way to raise these funds, to think about just how much college was at that time. And so, um, although this is still something that affects our students, um, and affects undocumented students, uh, in the state of Indiana.

Um, IUYA has really built and created a space of safety, a space of like identity, and recognizing that we're not alone. And so I'm just grateful that a IUYA has been able to provide, uh, scholarships and look at it in a way that's not institutionalized, right? We, uh, really care for the people that receive these scholarships and try and support them beyond just their academic success.

[00:06:47] Michael Zarick: Definitely, um, one question that has really stuck with me. So I, I, when I was first walking to go meet you guys last week, I called my mom and told her that I was meeting with you. Um, and the question she asked was, how does IUYA a function knowing that there's a, a consistent target on your back at this time?

Um, I mean, obviously there has been. For, since your foundation. Uh, so maybe it's reductive to say that. Um, but now it's sort of ramped up in a way that is, reaching the mainstream. Um, so can you guys speak to like how you are managing.

[00:07:25] Wendy: Well, uh, one, one really important thing that Sayra mentioned was that our families have been here for a very long time.

Right? 20, 30 plus years. And, and not just being here, right, but, but living here, going to school here, working here, uh, having what we call roots here. And so, um. It back, back in those days when IUYA was forming, we really looked up to our parents and their strength and all that they had to live through and struggle with to, you know, for us to be able to go to school.

Um, and so I'd really say that yes. In, in, in the eyes of like social media and everything going on. We do have our, we're watching everything with our own eyes, everything that's happening and how these constant attacks are like a daily thing. But, um, I think we, we are very unafraid. Unapologetic about our existence and the fact that we are in spaces and we are in circles where we can empower our, uh, empower our families and empower their, their experience.

And so, uh, what not better way to do it than by just simply existing and resisting and being ourselves and always thinking of like creative solutions to help our families.

[00:08:42] Sayra: Yeah, I guess the only thing that I would add is that we don't have a choice. You know, we've gotta keep it moving. Our communities are still have to have, um, we're here to support, you know, like those that are most impacted and those that stand with us and those that are stand behind us and those that depend on us.

So yeah, we just kind of have to keep pushing forward. Um, ¡Aquí estamos y no nos vamos!

[00:09:11] Michael Zarick: So can you speak to what, I think that's a really inspiring message of just like you have to do it. So in a lot of ways, like you, I don't know. There is no other answer than that.

[00:09:23] Wendy: Mm-hmm.

[00:09:24] Michael Zarick: Um, can you speak to like what it means to be able to be in the position of empowerment that you've put yourself in to be able to provide for people in the community that you know, or even don't know, strangers?

Um, and like what it. What impact that's had on you as well?

[00:09:41] Sayra: Yeah, so

I remember going with my older sister when I was in elementary school and going into middle school, um, when she was getting, you know, ready to graduate high school. She was going through the first round of the Dream Act. And I remember going to, um, demonstrations and I remember going to that really big, um, march that we had here in Indianapolis in the early two thousands.

And then nothing happened. And then I went on to middle school and to high school and graduated high school and then started college and then the second round of the Dream Act. Was coming around and my sister, again was involved with that and I was like, dang, you know, she graduated, nothing happened, I'm graduating.

Nothing happened. And she had talked to me about it and she was like, you should come. At the time there was a, the organization that was like, you know, like supporting you through like this type of empowerment and helping them show up was the Latino Youth Collective. And she's like, you should come, you know, to the protests and we're doing hunger strikes and we're doing all these things.

And I was like. I was like, I don't wanna do all that. You know? I was like, you bad kids are out there in the streets, you know? And so, but finally one day I was like, okay, fine, I'm gonna go. And it came from, what if it happens, you know, like, what if all of these people collect, or collectively out here in the street pushing for change, doing all of this, and I'm just sitting in the sidelines and.

It comes through and I am gonna benefit from it. And I didn't, I didn't fight for this. I didn't earn it. And so then I went and, um, lucky for me that was the weekend that they were preparing for the civil disobedience at the State House, um, where myself included and a few other folks got, um. Did a sit-in at the governor's office, um, to protest the enactment of, um, 1402.

And that's kind of where this all really came together for me. It was, there's a responsibility for not just in me, but in all of us, to really come together and show the power that we collectively have from. That sit-in from many other sitin sit-ins that were happening across the country from, um, a lot of other youth that were doing the same civil disobediences demonstrations, you know, education, not deportation.

That is where DACA was really born from. That is what really pressured, um, president Obama at the time to, um. Push forward with, um, deferred action for childhood arrivals. It wasn't, it wasn't born out of the kindness of his heart. It didn't just happen at a snap of fingers. It was all of these youth across the nation coming together.

And so to me, being in, in this type of space is, I feel the responsibility to help others. See that through, like to bring other youth together, to bring families together to showcase our collective power that we have together. Um, not just in resiliency, but to be able to take care of each other to that within us.

We have what we need to continue to, um, survive and support each other.

[00:13:23] Michael Zarick: Wendy, you have anything to add?

[00:13:25] Wendy: Yeah. Um, I, I was definitely very, very young, like still in high school when, um, DACA, uh, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals had passed. And, um, it wasn't until later in my life that I realized how. It was advocated for, there was a lot of news around President Obama giving us legislation that worked for us.

Um, but it honestly wasn't until I began organizing that I learned, um, just how disconnected I was and how I. Was also, um, I guess, ignorant at one point in not recognizing all the work that it took. Um, and it didn't hit me until I went to college myself. And, um, I, I, you know, I experienced all the barriers and challenges of getting.

You know, financial support to go to school. Um, but I was very, very privileged to, to have an athletic scholarship to pay for school. But again, it didn't change that, you know, the scholarship didn't change the laws. It didn't change how we were treated. Um, and so. Once I moved back here after, after my first time, um, in college is when I learned like, wow, there, there were individuals that have been organizing since they were kids, um, and really like.

Demanding what we, what we now have. And so like Sayra says, we, we are firm believers in everything that we need, we already have in our community. And um, I think that is what centers us, especially during these times.

[00:15:06] Michael Zarick: Those are both great answers. Um, thank you for sharing as always. Um, I think that's sort of.

Leads naturally into this question of like the, the now time. We talked a little bit about this the other day, um, with SB 76, which is an immigration focused bill, which is, you guys will know more about it than I do, but effectively it's there to mean that like government institutions, like schools, uh, will have to work directly with, uh, law enforcement to like effectively carry out these, these,

enforcement tactic. Yeah. Enforcement tactics. I didn't know what the proper way of describing it. Yeah. what does it look like for you guys? You guys are not an advocacy group necessarily. Um, at least on the legislation side, that's what you made very clear to me. Um, and on your topic of like, we will do this work no matter what, um, does anything change about your work with. The potential passing of this bill?

[00:16:07] Wendy: Well, um, in, in the last weeks, I think we've recognized as a, that we are a space, we are a movement that people look up to, right? Like people will reach out and say, what is a, where is IUYA with everything going on. And for us, uh, despite like. The advocacy efforts that are happening, uh, at the State House, we have always, um, we have always centered like the community, not the message behind the politicians and all these bills and laws that are being passed.

So for us, we look for ways to respond to legislative changes and how they're gonna impact, uh, our families. So for us it's really important to, you know, have. Uh, community spaces at the schools have relationship with the schools, um, with the families, them, um, actually being able to access our information or access, uh, our leadership.

And so we, we clearly have seen what policy can do to our community and we don't wanna let that define us and how we work.

[00:17:19] Sayra: I think I would just add that, um, something that makes me feel hopeful is seeing non impacted people be activated. Um, I think for a long time we felt or beared the responsibility of like pushing legislation that impacts our communities forward, um, that we had to do that, that work ourselves.

But, you know, coming to the realization that asking folks. That need a LI driver's license to drive without a license to the State House to ask for a license was not the best use of, you know, like where our community needed to be and what our community needed from us. And so I hope that all of you guys listening out there that are, um, becoming activated by everything that's going on, are able to find, um.

Those that are advocating against these policies and that are at times also advocating for policies that would support our communities, like driver's cards and reinstating and state tuition, um, can get behind, um, some of those policies and yeah, support or go against depending on what's happening on happening at the time.

But, um, that gives me hope is other people that are not directly impacted being activated in. You know, hoping that they'll also show up for those things.

[00:18:44] Michael Zarick: Yeah. Can you, can you actually, we have that written down and, and for someone like myself who I would consider an unimpacted individual, like what is a good way to get involved more directly, um, you know, feel.

Or not, maybe not even feel, have a, have a real impact. That is, that is helpful and that is not, um, a hindrance to like real progress.

[00:19:10] Wendy: There is, a saying in Spanish, what is it? Uh, we need all of our bees, right? Do you know what I'm talking about? No.

[00:19:21] Sayra: Maybe not in English. What is it in Spanish?

[00:19:27] Wendy: Uh, again, yeah. So if you are someone that's listening, um, we all have something to contribute. We all have something, whether that's time, whether that's funds, whether that's, you know, information and knowledge. Um, for one, I would encourage folks to message our Instagram. I think that's where, um. You, there's more visibility to like what we do and, and, and what we have done in the past.

Um, messaging or also visiting our website, iuya.org and looking, uh, at the volunteer section, but, um, also sharing, right? Like what sort of background do you have, or what are you willing to support us with? And that could be anything, you know, giving someone a ride accompanying them to, um, an appointment at, at the doctor's office or, you know, um, if you're really good with technology.

I think that that's also something that's helped us a lot. Um, but we, we've really relied on people just caring about the situation and caring about what they, uh, what they can do, and most importantly, um, always prioritizing and putting, um, immigrants first. Right? Um, we never want to have to like talk about accountability in a way that's harmful to our community, but also folks that respect just the things that we deal with every day and making sure that we're walking alongside each other and not ahead of one another.

[00:21:01] Michael Zarick: I like that phrasing.

[00:21:02] Wendy: Yeah.

[00:21:03] Sayra: one of the biggest things that we currently doing is providing financial support for families that are being impacted by ICE. So if you've got an extra dollar or two, you can find that fund available on our website and Instagram page as well. Um, share it with your friends and family.

The funds, um, that are collected there go directly to families that are being impacted by the current immigration situation or being, having families detained by ICE. Um, they receive support by, um. We can pay their utilities, we can pay their rent. And we've also helped pay attorney fees so that people can have their loved ones located or provided services for, um, that otherwise may be stuck.

So that's also an easier way to also, when you can't, when you don't know how to act, act with your wallet. Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.

[00:21:56] Michael Zarick: Uh, someone used the term time, talent, or treasure. For me recently. And it sounds like treasure is something that is needed greatly at this time. Um,

[00:22:05] Sayra: for sure.

[00:22:06] Michael Zarick: Um, so you've been, what was the founding like year date?

[00:22:12] Sayra: Uh, 2012.

[00:22:13] Michael Zarick: 2012. So it's been, that's, oh my god, 2012 feels like five years ago. I know

[00:22:20] Sayra: we incorporated officially on paper in 2015, but our little group started, you know,

[00:22:25] Michael Zarick: and also just to mention your. Your naming origin, you said it was the Youth Alliance because you were young when you were founded.

[00:22:33] Sayra: Yes, we were.

We were all youth. I don't know that we all thought we would not be youth one day. I think it was, you know, like the bigger hopes that this is all gonna be done and over with, you know, by the,

[00:22:44] Michael Zarick: if only it were done and over with. Um, but over that time, oh no, I have to do math now. It's

[00:22:52] Wendy: 14.

[00:22:52] Michael Zarick: It's 14 years.

Thank you. Me

[00:22:55] Sayra: Our quinseañera's coming up.

[00:22:56] Wendy: Oh, who's dressing up?

[00:22:58] Michael Zarick: Um, has the city, and I don't mean the city government, I mean the city and its people, um, has it been a good support? Has, has there been a good support system or like people here who are obviously, um, been helpful?

[00:23:16] Sayra: Yes, so. Um, nothing happens fast. Um, we, like I mentioned, we started fundraising for our first few scholarships, um, you know, selling things from our closets at Yard House and getting donations.

Um, and that's where it started. But, you know, once we became, um, a 501c3 in 2015, we were able to have access to help, you know. Um, our community more with bigger scholarships and have events for additional fundraising. Um, and yes, we've been very fortunate that. Um, people see the work that we do. The impact of the work that we do is really evident with the people you know, that surround us and support us.

We're, we've been very fortunate that, you know, a lot of the businesses you'd said that you had seen that, you know, a lot of businesses were supporting us. Um, those are all small local folks as well. You know, like they're, they see the impact of the work that we're doing and, you know, like. For people to reach out on their own and be like, I'm going to do this for you guys, is such a great help.

Like there, we cannot thank them enough. Like we've been very fortunate to like be, you know, received with a lot of support that yes we have had to seek out a lot of support, but we've had that, you know, come back. Tenfold, you know, um, not just with individuals, but you know, institutions as well that have seen, um, our work and are willing, you know, to give us, you know, grant money as well to also help push out programs and other things that need to get done.

[00:25:02] Wendy: I'll, I'll just say that IUYA does what it says it does. Like we are, you know, in contact with families every single day. And providing the support that we can, if not being creative with a solution as to, you know, what their needs are. And so, um, that is the, um, that is the fruitful part of, of volunteering and organizing with IUYA,

[00:25:27] Michael Zarick: Hmm. Yeah. Thanks for sharing a little bit about that. Can you, I have heard of like some other ways people can get involved, um, and help, um, undocumented folks. Um, there's also a phrase I really like, which is that the only difference between an undocumented person and a, a documented person is the documentation.

Mm-hmm. The paperwork.

[00:25:49] Sayra: Mm-hmm.

[00:25:49] Michael Zarick: Um, and I really wanna make sure that people are aware, like they don't think of these people as different, that it's just like they are just people. Mm-hmm. Um, so what are some other ways that people can get involved and maybe sort of pay attention to what's going on around them here in Indianapolis?

[00:26:05] Wendy: There is a space Indy Rapid Response that works to, um, be humanitarian support to individuals that are either in crisis detained, being apprehended by ICE agents or ICE enforcement. And so there is work there to be done. There is training as well that can really help someone that maybe doesn't have a whole lot of awareness.

Or understanding of how these things work. Um, but of course, you know, this is an issue that is very local, not just happening, uh, in the larger cities or at the border. Uh, families are impacted here locally in, in Indiana. And so, um, this group really seeks to, uh, be a network of support, be a network of, um, response to what's going on.

There are trainings that, um. Break down what, um, these federal, federal agencies do, such as DHS ICE, uh, CVP, um, ERO, right? And these are important things to know when you're out in the community and you need to know what. Who, who the enemy is. Um, so there is definitely opportunity to get trained and to be informed, and to be connected to a local group that you can participate in, um, and, and be on the lookout for.

[00:27:34] Sayra: .

Yes, definitely see something, say something. Um, you can follow Indy Rapid response on Instagram and Facebook as Indy rapid response. And they're, uh, for people that you know, like do have the urgency, that feel like they really need to do something. They are having a community, uh, safety training on Monday, February 23rd, so you can catch them over there on their socials.

[00:27:57] Michael Zarick: Is that next Monday?

[00:27:58] Sayra: Yes. It's okay. It's

[00:27:59] Michael Zarick: gonna come.

[00:28:00] Sayra: I lied,

[00:28:00] Michael Zarick: but if someone listens to it that morning, they can go. If you're listening to this episode, the day it comes out, you can go,

[00:28:07] Sayra: yes, it's Monday night. It's gonna be Monday night at 7:30 PM I believe so, yes. If you haven't already registered and you're listening to this episode in the morning, yes.

Um, go catch them on their socials. They should be, have a registration link. And, um, if you don't have the phone number in your contacts yet, it. 855-589 4639. And that is the number to Indy Rapid response where you can call and report eyesights.

[00:28:38] Michael Zarick: Dope. Thank you. Um, is there anything else you guys wanted to talk about or we can move on to what I call a canned questions?

I say this, the

[00:28:49] Wendy: what?

[00:28:49] Michael Zarick: It's more like fun, fun question or like fun or reflective.

[00:28:53] Wendy: Okay. Yeah.

[00:28:54] Michael Zarick: Yeah., hey, Third Space Indy is sponsored by cityrising.org. Mark Latta. Uh, local community man has decided to sponsor the podcast. City Rising is a social impact studio that leads and supports innovative projects that strengthen, celebrate and repair people and places.

So if you're a people or you're the leader of a place and you're interested in improving your built or lived environment, reach out to me or go to cityrising.org and I'll get you hooked up Anyways, Sayra, Wendy, I ask the same question, uh, every episode. The question is what is, uh, if you heard the beginning, what a Third Space is?

What is a Third Space to you? Have you heard that term before today?

[00:29:39] Sayra: Not explained, like the way you explained it.

Um, that's very interesting. 'cause I, at the very first thing when I think about a Third Space is chosen family.

[00:29:53] Michael Zarick: Mm-hmm.

[00:29:54] Sayra: You know, like. spaces, um, in whether it's people or physical spaces that, um, that you, you've chosen that have called you for some reason, that may not be typical, that your, your sibling that was born of the same parents of the same household would not relate.

Like, that's kind of like what I think about.

[00:30:19] Wendy: Um, when I think about this term, I think about. It's funny, you know, when you vote and you have two choices, you're kind of like, I wish there was a third option that I could choose.

[00:30:32] Michael Zarick: Yeah.

[00:30:32] Wendy: So I do like this, I like Sayra's Um, idea of it, it being around what you get to choose and what you, what you wanna partake in.

[00:30:43] Michael Zarick: Yeah. Mm-hmm. I think that's a good way to phrase it. 'cause I think a lot of people like, I don't know, I, I, I get caught up in definitions a lot. Um, in Third Space, like I've. Thought about that definition of Third Space regularly. And it just, like, in a lot of ways, it's sort of either it, it's choosing you or you're choosing it.

Mm-hmm. I think that's a, a a a place or a, or a space that you are taking active, uh, participation in the decision to go there, I think is an interesting way of phrasing it.

[00:31:12] Sayra: Mm-hmm.

[00:31:13] Michael Zarick: Um, a very related question. Um. Which I also ask is, what is a Third Space that has existed for you previously that does not any longer?

Whether that means literally or just like you don't go there.

[00:31:30] Wendy: Mm-hmm.

[00:31:30] Michael Zarick: And it's like something you think about.

[00:31:34] Wendy: I can answer first. Um, I, I have the privilege to work in a field that I really love, which is being with community, but I often reflect on where it all started, which was like, you know, working in restaurants and being in the back of the kitchen and just having a good old time with my coworkers.

Um, and so I think about that space often and how. I somehow have a hard time detaching from like this customer service place and space. But, um, at the same time, it's also helped me grow a lot, um, as a person and like seeing the world from a different perspective and just having a lot of grace with myself and how it takes a while to become who you wanna be.

So I'd say really like, um. Yeah, my past employment, I guess

[00:32:30] Michael Zarick: any specific, like was it like a chain restaurant or like

[00:32:33] Wendy: No, it wasn't, it was a, i, I first started at a family owned restaurant, um, in Vincennes, Indiana.

[00:32:39] Michael Zarick: Cool.

[00:32:39] Wendy: Yeah.

[00:32:41] Sayra: What school count?

[00:32:46] Michael Zarick: I have not broached the subject of school, uh, as a Third Space on this podcast yet, but. To me, even though you as a child, you are working, quote unquote at school, I think it's so fundamentally about the social aspect that I do personally believe that school is a Third Space. Not for teachers, though.

Those people are, are working. Yes.

[00:33:13] Sayra: Um, I, I wanted, I leaning at towards school because I, I feel like I was. Very fortunate to feel like I had teachers that made me feel, seen, that I felt cared about me, you know, um, that were involved in my life outside of school. Um, that I really would not be the human that I am if it wasn't because of the support that they provided to me.

So, um, I think about that. I'm like, dang, dang. School was fun. School was great. It's gone. And as someone that recently finished college, you know, third try, third, third tries the charm. Um, shout out to Sam Masarachia scholarship, um, for, uh, footing the bill. Mm-hmm. Um, yeah, I, I also would say I probably just, just because I am the student in every space that I am.

Mm-hmm. School's, not for everyone, but it was, it's definitely provides sid's always

[00:34:14] Wendy: willing to learn,

[00:34:15] Sayra: provides a space. Yes. But I definitely miss

[00:34:17] Michael Zarick: any, any specific teacher shout outs?

[00:34:20] Sayra: Any miss or misses? Yes. Um, someone that I, so I don't have Facebook, so you're not gonna catch me over there. Um, but when I do get a hold of someone's phone that I'm snooping around in, I do look for hide your Facebook,

[00:34:36] Wendy: if

[00:34:37] Sayra: anyone

[00:34:37] Wendy: knows.

Um,

[00:34:38] Sayra: please

[00:34:39] Wendy: reach out.

[00:34:39] Sayra: Um, Ms. Alfreda Parrish, she was my middle school math teacher, and she had an afterschool club that was just girls and it was the best thing ever. And she took us around to different things to volunteer, like at the Riley house. Um, and she would bring in people to help to like teach us about like nail care and manicures, things like things like that that I.

Wouldn't have done like in any other space. Yeah. Outside of school. What was her name again? School. Ms. Parrish. So her name was Alfreda Parrish.

[00:35:11] Michael Zarick: That's a

[00:35:11] Sayra: great name. Mm.

[00:35:13] Wendy: I like that.

[00:35:14] Michael Zarick: I, I back of house, someone

[00:35:17] Wendy: finds her,

[00:35:19] Michael Zarick: she'll find, maybe I'll hunt her down.

[00:35:20] Wendy: She'll find you.

[00:35:21] Michael Zarick: those all, a lot of random people listening to this podcast, so you never know.

Um, back of house, like restaurant work is. Has some of the highest highs and the lowest lows ever felt in my life. Yes. I used to work at, I used to work at Texas Roadhouse. Oh, in Bloomington.

[00:35:39] Wendy: Oh.

[00:35:40] Michael Zarick: Um, yeah. Uh, and then I used to work at, uh, in West Lafayette, I worked at a restaurant called The Bryant. Mm. Um, both of those places.

Had great coworkers, but also like some of the worst days of my life. So

[00:35:53] Wendy: some humbling experiences.

[00:35:55] Michael Zarick: Yeah, definitely. Uh, I think everybody should work in the service industry at one point in your life.

[00:35:59] Wendy: Yep.

[00:35:59] Michael Zarick: Uh, and on the topic of school, like I, I love that. I think I, I hope this for everyone, but I think it's true that everybody has at least one teacher that, um, has had an impact on them heavily.

Um, you know, shout out to Tina Ahlgren, uh, Anderson York mentioned Tina Ren, like taught him in school and that it was an impactful person, so. Um, I think that's right. I don't know. You need

[00:36:21] Sayra: your shout out, Wendy.

[00:36:23] Wendy: There's

some,

[00:36:24] Michael Zarick: do you have a specific coworker that's like,

[00:36:26] Wendy: Aw. Um, yeah, the owner of the restaurant.

He, uh, he became like a, a father figure to me. Uh, like. When was this? 2016 ish. Um, so 10 years ago. And he became like a father to me because he owned the restaurant. His whole family ran the restaurant. Um, unfortunately he passed away a couple years ago, but, um, he made work so, so fun for me because it was like work.

And then on top of that, he really cared about checking in about school and making sure that I was doing what I loved. Um, and he would always joke around that I, uh, every chance I got to, to leave the state and, and, and go travel. He's like, all you wanna do is travel. Like that's all you wanna do. And he's like, one day I'm gonna be rich like you, and I'm gonna go travel too.

But, you know, restaurant owners, they don't ever leave. They have to watch their, their business. And so I'm just like, dang. He always wanted me to travel, although he didn't, he didn't put it that way. Yeah, so he was awesome.

[00:37:30] Michael Zarick: Thanks for sharing.

[00:37:30] Wendy: His name was, uh, Danielle Ramirez.

[00:37:33] Michael Zarick: Danielle Ramirez.

[00:37:35] Wendy: Mm-hmm.

[00:37:36] Michael Zarick: I can't throw the rolled R in there.

I can't roll my Rs, but not that well. thank you. So that was, I, this is my favorite question 'cause it's like, and I don't use favorite lightly for those who are knowing. Um.

It's very reflective and like you get a little insight. Um, so every episode I also ask a question from the previous guest. Um, and this week's guest, her name was Alexa Hill. She's the owner of the Common Room, Indy. It's a salon, uh, up in Castleton. Uh, and her question was, what are some ways. Actually, this is very, uh, topical for you guys, but what are some ways that you see businesses, um, act that you, that make you want to like go support them more?

Basically, um, maybe for you it's that they donated to IUYA, but are there, are there things that businesses are doing right now that you're like, oh, I feel either safe or willing to go there?

[00:38:34] Sayra: Um, I've seen a few businesses, um, put up on their, um, doors, the, you know, the signs that they can print out that say that ice agents aren't welcome there.

[00:38:42] Wendy: Mm-hmm.

[00:38:43] Sayra: And I'm not gonna name the place, but there was a place that I had three back to back, not so great experiences, but I really needed a coffee and they were on my way. So I went, you know, after some time and they had that up on their door and I was like,

oh.

I'm like, they are really thinking about stuff, or at least I hope they are.

And they're, you know, like they're thinking about these things. And a lot of other businesses that I would expect to also do this, haven't done that yet, or haven't, you know, like I feel confident walking in here knowing that I know where they stand, you know, like that if me and my family and my friends are in their facility, that I feel like.

We would feel safe and hopefully protected should anything happen, you know? So, yeah,

[00:39:28] Wendy: I like that. Um, yeah, I hadn't, I had actually haven't been near a business that has a sign like that, but I'm also hardly ever like out and about like that. But I would say where I feel called to, I guess visit more our places that have like, you know, bulletin boards and they have like business cards and they have flyers like I, that says a lot about.

The place and how they wanna protect the people that, that keep coming back. So I'd say really like places that value that, that really put out things for people to take home.

[00:40:02] Michael Zarick: Mm-hmm. I was talking to the owner of, uh, miniature business shout-out. I was talking to the owner of, uh, Satellite Vintage in Broad Ripple.

Um, and she had like a no ice agents like sticker, just like on her, something, something like that, uh, on her counter where the checkout was. And I was like, yeah, I like when businesses like post it on the door. She goes, should I post this on the door? I guess I'll do it right now. And she just like, walked over the door and just like slapped it up there.

Uh, and I thought that was really funny. Um, so shout at the Sattelite Vintage. Uh,

[00:40:33] Wendy: nice.

[00:40:35] Michael Zarick: Uh, yeah. Thank you for sharing. Unless you guys, is there anything else you guys wanna talk about? What do you, what's on your mind?

[00:40:44] Sayra: Currently,

[00:40:48] Wendy: uh, I guess I'll share something just in terms of like things that are happening, uh, with policy and legislation. Um, we've been organizing for some time and it's always just funny how things work and how when we brought issues like in-state tuition and driver's licenses, we always get like. Oh, that's a, that's a federal issue.

That's like beyond our control. We can't, we have no say in that. That needs to be like, that needs to be like a federal thing. Let Congress handle that, but. Now we live in a state where they're just, oh, so happy to work with federal agencies. And so I think that's just a reminder that we are as badass as we know we are.

And that we, we, we know what our community needs because we know that, um, our communities for a long time have been, you know, tossed around to be a topic of. Of interest. And for us, it's, it's not like that. We have always known what, uh, you know, what policy can do. And so we just completely disregard that and we try and work for ourselves, you know, create an ecosystem for ourselves.

[00:42:05] Sayra: Um, I would probably say not to forget to check in on your friends, your neighbors, um. You know, those that are around you that, um, may be impacted and, you know, it might take more than once to let them know that you're there to support them. Um, but. Uh, yeah, I, I wouldn't take offense to, you know, to when you're offering to help someone with something and they say no the first time, you know, it, it takes a lot for, you know, like, people to, to trust to know that you're a safe person.

So I would just continue to, I would ask people to continue to be, you know, um, persistent and encouraging of, you know, like. Uh, showing up for their neighbors. You know, like even if there is a language barrier, there are ways to get around that. Um, so I would, yeah, I would just call on people to think outside of your little bubble and reach out to those around you that, um, may need a little bit of extra support or a little extra check-in.

[00:43:19] Michael Zarick: Amazing. Thank you guys, uh, for joining me. One last question and I kind of hinted at it, and maybe we can do two. It's up to you if you wanna decide together, but, uh, what question would you like to ask the next Third Space Indy guest?

[00:43:35] Sayra: Do we know who it's,

[00:43:36] Michael Zarick: I don't actually know. It's,

[00:43:38] Sayra: um,

[00:43:40] Michael Zarick: I, this is what we were talking about beforehand, where I am a little behind, but that's okay.

[00:43:45] Wendy: I had like to know, what do you procrastinate the most?

[00:43:48] Michael Zarick: That's a great question. I, I think that's really funny.

[00:43:53] Sayra: Yeah.

[00:43:54] Wendy: Yep.

[00:43:56] Sayra: What a luxury to procrastinate. You procrastinate the most. That's good.

[00:44:02] Michael Zarick: You're, you're agreeing on the question?

[00:44:03] Sayra: Yes.

[00:44:04] Michael Zarick: Good question. I, I always like to answer the question. The answer is scheduling interviews for this podcast.

I'm a little behind right now. Uh, actually even worse is writing the blog after every episode. Uh, I'm, I'm like multi, multiple episodes behind. Um, but that's okay. I'll get around to it. Um, there is no pressure other than the self-imposed pressure that I'm doing to myself. Anyways, uh, thank you Sayra and Wendy for joining me.

Shout out to Indiana Undocumented Youth Alliance. Where can the people find you on Instagram if they're interested in doing so and anywhere else?

[00:44:49] Sayra: Yeah, you can catch us on Instagram and Facebook at on docu Hoosier, and that's. U-N-D-O-C, Hosier, that's H-O-O-S-I-E-R. Did I spell that right?

[00:45:02] Michael Zarick: I think you missed a U,

[00:45:03] Sayra: sorry,

[00:45:04] Wendy: I'm not the speller.

[00:45:05] Sayra: Yeah,

[00:45:06] Michael Zarick: but

[00:45:06] Wendy: you know,

[00:45:07] Michael Zarick: will kick in U-N-D-O-C-U Hoosier. Um, thank

[00:45:11] Wendy: you.

[00:45:12] Michael Zarick: On Instagram and then IUYA.org, right?

[00:45:15] Wendy: Mm-hmm. Yes.

[00:45:16] Michael Zarick: And you can donate there as well, right?

[00:45:18] Wendy: Yes. There's go donate, but

[00:45:23] Michael Zarick: big fat, give him your treasure. Uh, thank you Sayra, Wendy, for joining me once again. Thank you for, uh, not watching today, but listening to this episode of Third Space Indy.

My name's Michael Zarick. You can find Third Space Indy. On Instagram at Third Space Indy or at Third Space Indy dot com, where I write a blog that I'm behind on, and I will be writing soon. Thank you, Mark Latta and citi rising.org for sponsoring the podcast. And as always, thank you to local artist Jennasen for allowing me to use your song Scared Rabbit as the intro song.

Thanks once again for listening. See you in the next one. Goodbye. Bye.

[00:46:02] Wendy: Bye bye.