Sanders House was founded on a truth learned through lived experience. At twenty-six years old, Larry Sanders walked away from his NBA career as a starting center for the Milwaukee Bucks. He made this decision while battling anxiety and depression that were slowly taking his life apart from the inside. He chose healing. He chose survival. He chose honesty over silence.

His journey ignited the creation of Sanders House, an organization devoted to protecting the mental wellness of athletes and young people who are often taught to hide their pain. Sanders House exists because Larry Sanders understands what it feels like to carry pressure, expectations, and fear without anyone noticing the weight.

A Mission Rooted in Courage and Compassion

Sanders House is committed to breaking the stigma surrounding mental health. The organization works to ensure that athletes and youth understand that emotional well-being is more important than performance. Strength is defined by truth, connection, and the courage to ask for help.

The mission unfolds across two major branches of work:

• Mental health education for athletes, including guidance on emotional protection alongside financial and physical safety
• Global youth basketball camps that teach children ages seven to eighteen that mental wellness is just as essential as physical training

Every program reflects Larry Sanders’ belief that young people deserve to hear the messages he did not receive during his own journey.

The Values That Shape Sanders House

Sanders House teaches every child and athlete that:

• Asking for help is an act of courage
• Mental health matters more than any score or expectation
• A person’s value reaches far beyond performance

These principles guide every program, every workshop, and every conversation.

A Future Built on Healing and Honest Support

Sanders House is shaping a world where athletes do not feel obligated to suffer in silence. The organization is building mental health standards that stand alongside physical education in schools, gyms, and training programs. Sanders House is committed to giving young people access to emotional tools long before they reach a moment of crisis.

The vision includes:

• A complete mental health curriculum for youth athletics
• Expanded camps that offer emotional and physical development
• Support systems that protect players at every stage of their careers
• A culture that honors vulnerability and celebrates healing

Sanders House is more than a program. It is a commitment to changing the culture of sports and youth development.

Why Giving Tuesday Matters for Sanders House

Your support strengthens a mission shaped by lived experience and driven by a desire to protect the next generation. Giving Tuesday contributions help Sanders House:

• Provide mental health resources to youth athletes
• Expand global camps with emotional wellness programming
• Create workshops for athletes that focus on emotional resilience
• Develop education that supports young people before crisis
• Train parents, coaches, and mentors to recognize emotional needs

Every donation brings life-changing support to children, families, and athletes who deserve safety, understanding, and healing.

The Heart of Sanders House

Sanders House stands as a testament to the belief that healing is possible when people are supported with compassion. Larry Sanders’ story continues to guide a mission that invites young people to value their minds, honor their emotions, and choose themselves.

Your generosity helps build a future where every athlete and every child can grow without fear of stigma and with confidence in their ability to ask for help.

Sanders House

A Movement Giving Athletes and Young People the Space to Heal

Team Members