At At the age of 17, Elicha arrived in the United States after fleeing child marriage and international sexual exploitation in Europe. With no legal immigration status, no income, and “ward of the state” listed on her ID, she faced immediate homelessness. A stranger paid for a motel room that first night, offering temporary safety—but finding permanent shelter proved nearly impossible.

Elicha eventually secured safe housing. Only then could she begin healing from nearly two decades of trauma.

Now, after 27 years of service and advocacy, Elicha has committed her life to ensuring that no child or teen is ever forced to delay their healing journey due to a lack of safe shelter. Her lived experience is the foundation of her work and the driving force behind her mission to create immediate, trauma-informed housing solutions for vulnerable youth.