A Northwest Indiana Life in the Spotlight: Jeremias Alicea

A Northwest Indiana Life in the Spotlight: Jeremias Alicea

“An influential mentor” are the words that describe Crown Point resident Jeremias Alicea. Well-known around the Northwest Indiana area for his community service and youth outreach, Alicea works as a Health Educator for A Positive Approach to Teen Health (PATH) in Portage. In addition, he works for 3screens, a media company that creates educational multimedia giant-screen programs for students. At the heart of both of these positions, as well as his mission in life, is the desire to promote healthy life choices for the community’s youth and mentor them through their journey.

“I have been working with youth since I was 18,” said Alicea. “My work revolves around developing youth and teaching them how to be their best selves and how to fully embrace their qualities.”

Alicea grew up in Highland and, after graduating from East Chicago Central High School in 1995, attended Purdue University Northwest to study radio and television communications.

Alicea’s love for community service and youth outreach extends as far back when he was a boy heavily involved in his youth group. He has always been a strong believer in seeing the best in people and helping them make the most out of their lives. In addition, his faith plays a strong role in his mission as well, and he is involved in his church as a youth minister and in community service.

“I’ve always had a heart for people in general, so I wanted my career to focus on helping kids,” Alicea said. “The main quality of a leader in a community is being able to serve, so in my roles, I try my best to bring out the best in those I help.”

Even after all of this, Alicea states that his mindset is one of self-improvement.

“A question I ask myself often is, ‘How can I be my best self so that I can teach others to be theirs?’ Every day I try my best to become a better person than I was yesterday for both my sake and those I help,” Alicea said. “If I can get individuals to see the greatness inside of them and use it for good, they can be more powerful and influential than they ever imagined.”

He is also a spoken word artist, which means he is an oral-based performer. Alicea’s wordplay revolves around sharing positive and uplifting messages to youth.

“I feel great to be where I am at,” Alicea said. “Life is a learning experience, and when you better yourself, in the long run, it affects those around you. Despite all of the work and struggle, it was all worth it.”

Alicea is happily married to his wife Lisa and has two wonderful children, Jonah and Gloria.