Helping Youth Strengthen Their Voice, Wellbeing, and Leadership
JAIA is a personal development and leadership organization for teens and young adults ages 16 to 21.
Our Mission
Our mission is to partner and co create with youth to promote healthier and safer communities through transformative personal and leadership development.
We imagine a world where the voices of young people are valued, trusted, and included in the work of building stronger, more compassionate communities.
Meet Our Founder
Gena Jefferson, CEO and Founder
Gena has spent more than two decades working with youth as an educator, social worker, interfaith minister, and psychotherapist in the New York City Public School system.
She was once the young person she now serves, and her lived experience shapes every part of JAIA’s work.
Throughout her career, she saw how many teens struggled with anxiety, identity, pressure at home, and challenges they had no space to process. She also saw how powerful it was when young people were invited to share their stories, discover their tools, and build trust with adults who listened.
JAIA grew from that understanding.
A place where youth can heal, grow, lead, and be seen.
Our Approach
We believe that transformation begins within the individual and radiates outward into families, schools, and communities. Our work is built on three interconnected practices.
Our Story
JAIA began in NYC schools as a series of personal development workshops called Life Lessons created and led by Gena.
The demand for youth centered emotional and leadership support grew quickly and in 2014 JAIA became a 501(c)3 nonprofit.
Over the years the work expanded.
The Youth Leadership Council was formed.
Community Empowerment Workshops were launched.
The Mindful Leaders Institute added a full year of personal development in response to youth's voice.
The Peer Education Program and Summer Youth Employment Program followed.
Partnerships grew with schools, city agencies, and research institutions.
Youth began leading, creating, and facilitating programs themselves
Today JAIA continues to evolve in response to what young people share about their needs, their challenges, and their vision for the future.
Our Board
Our board brings together educators, community leaders, mental health professionals, and long standing advocates who believe deeply in the power of youth voice.
They help guide JAIA’s mission, support our long term vision, and ensure that our programs continue to grow with integrity, intention, and care.
Rev. Gena C. Jefferson
CEO & President
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Rev. Gena has Master Degrees in Special Education, Educational Administration and Social Work from varied institutions. She was ordained by the Interfaith Council of New York, and holds a Certification in Spiritual Life Coaching Training from Inner Visions Institute for Spiritual Development. Gena serves the adult community, is co-owner of Overture Wellness: “Begin With Purpose”, a spiritual life coaching, healing and wellness practice serving individuals, couples, and organizations. She has been quoted in numerous media outlets and most recently appeared on on Bronxnet’s OPEN Show with Dr. Bob Lee, 2022,“The Couch”, a CBS Morning News show, and WPIX Channel 11 morning news.
Sally Hipscher
Vice President of Programs
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Sally is a retired NYC high school health and physical education teacher for 36 years. She was founder and faculty advisor of Murrow’s HEART club (HIV/AIDS, peer education, advocacy and social action club), training students to be peer educators and conduct AIDS quilt workshops during World AIDS Week. Sally is a trustee at the East Midwood Jewish Center and chairperson of the East Midwood Jewish Center/Our Lady of Refuge Church interfaith committee.
Veronica Rosario
Vice President of Communications
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Veronica is an award-winning Producer at PIX11 News, who focuses on social justice issues and women empowerment. She is a graduate of The Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University where she earned a Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Broadcast Journalism and Television, Radio and Film. Veronica is a Brooklyn native who regularly volunteers with organizations focused on youth empowerment as a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated. Veronica is the founder and CEO of the Happy New Network (HNN).
Durga Hemrajani
Treasurer
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Durga Hemrajani is the founder and CEO of GlidingPath, a Fintech startup. She has over 25 years of global experience in the financial services industry working in COO and Transformation roles at some of the major global banks like Citi, Deutsche Bank and UBS. At these banks she has led several large-scale regulatory and strategic transformation programs, was seasoned as a COO in achieving business targets while managing risk and governance and was a trusted advisor to C-level and Executive Leadership teams. She is an experienced manager and champion of diverse talent and has led and mentored high-performing diverse teams across the US, Asia and Europe. At Deutsche Bank she co-founded the DB Women in India Network and led the DB Center Child Care initiative.
Durga earned an M.B.A. degree from The University of Texas at Austin and an undergraduate degree in Computer Engineering from Mumbai University. She currently lives in New Jersey with her husband, two sons and a mini Australian labradoodle. She enjoys running, writing poetry and meditation.
Jeffrey P. Coleman
Secretary
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Jeffrey is a coach and community builder with a Master’s Degree in historical theology from Fordham University. Previously a tech recruiter, communications instructor, and research project manager, Jeffrey finds greatest motivation learning what helps people live fulfilling lives. Now an immigrant in France and a father of two young daughters, he helps successful professionals and people with access to wealth find deeper alignment and balance, and he invests in non-profit and startup founders in NYC and Europe who care about social impact.
Myles Hecker
Board Member
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Myles Hecker is a Talent Acquisition Lead, tech startup advisor, and entrepreneur with over 16 years of experience supporting organizations such as Microsoft, Meta, Fidelity Investments, Dentsu Aegis, and several other notable companies. Rooted in East Flatbush, Brooklyn, Myles has always centered his professional journey on achieving in order to give back, mentoring others from his community and beyond. In addition to his career, he serves as the Title One Chairperson at PS 235, The Janice Knight School, where he partners with parents and administrators to expand access to external programming and extracurricular opportunities, while fostering collaboration among resilient, goal-driven families.
Rev Elease Welch
Board Member Emeritus
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Rev. Elease served as JAIA’s first Board President for 5 years. She is a Minister of Spiritual Consciousness, a dynamic teacher, a masterful coach, and a powerful and compassionate leader. She is a graduate of New York University holding an undergraduate degree in Elementary Education and a Master’s degree in Educational Administration. She also serves as the Director of Academic Affairs at Inner Visions Institute for Spiritual Development. Elease continues to volunteer with JAIA serving on the curriculum committee.
Support Our Work
Your support helps us continue offering stipends, leadership training, retreats, and transformational programs to youth who need it most.