Executive Director, Elika Almeida

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Elika Almeida has championed youth and women’s advocacy in the Pocono Mountains since 2004. After stepping away from a corporate career to focus on her family and community, she co-founded Youth Infusion in 2009, sparking her passion for driving community engagement. Elika’s belief in the transformative power of youth voices has driven her to create platforms for young people to influence lasting, positive change.

As Executive Director of Youth Infusion, Elika has worked to amplify youth leadership through initiatives like Youth Talks, a youth-led podcast program, and the Youth Leadership Advisory Board (YLAB), which offer young people mentorship, mental health support, and service-learning experiences. Elika places great importance on adult mentorship, recognizing its pivotal role in guiding youth as they develop leadership skills and connect meaningfully with their communities.

Elika is also certified as a Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) and teen Mental Health First Aid (tMHFA) Instructor. She is deeply passionate about supporting young people facing mental health challenges, ensuring they have the tools and resources to thrive emotionally and mentally.

In addition to her work with youth, Elika created the Girls Infused Program, designed to empower girls ages 10-15 by building their confidence and leadership abilities. The program invites powerful women from the community to serve as mentors, providing inspiration and guidance to the girls involved.

Her unwavering dedication to youth-led change, community engagement, and mentorship continues to drive her efforts to equip young people with the tools they need to thrive and ensure their voices are heard.