How We Began
On May 27, 2020, my son completed suicide.
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His name was Jamal. He was 19 years old, and it was the worst day of my life!
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Jamal was my firstborn child. He embodied love, kindness, and respect.
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Although he is no longer here in SIGHT, I realized he left us with his loving SOUL.
One way to keep his soul alive is through his belongings, in particular-his shoes.
So,
I organized and started Soul Survivors of Chicago to honor his legacy and others who have lost a loved one to suicide, violence or trauma.
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At Soul Survivors of Chicago, we focus on three important needs- Support, Education and Awareness.
With our "Walk in Purpose" project we donate new and lightly used shoes in memory of our lost love one and give them to someone impacted by mental health, suicide, trauma or loss. Each shoe is labeled with the name of the lost loved one.
This "gift" is with the understanding that you are "walking in the shoe of someone unable to move forward in life...therefore, "Walk in Purpose."
Secondly, we focus on providing crisis financial supports to persons impacted by violence or trauma. Funds are donated to help support a person who has been impacted by suicide, trauma and loss..
Finally, we provide education, prevention and awareness around the importance of mental health and wellness to BIPOC communities . This is done through our advocacy, public speaking and community activities .
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Join us today!
RafiahMaxie-Cole,
Founder
Soul Survivors of Chicago
OUR MISSION
Soul Survivors of Chicago, mission is to provide suicide prevention, awareness, and education to our BIPOC and underserved community.
Our mission is unique. We seek enhance the importance of Mental Health , advocate for suicide prevention and provide much needed emergency crisis funds to individuals impacted by suicide, trauma or loss.
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Soul Survivors of Chicago works to mitigate suicide risks through trainings innovative projects, workshops, public speaking and our grief support group.
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Our work is epic.
Our mission is unique
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Our passion is focused
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Our focus impacts:
✨Youth
✨Young Adults
✨Individuals​
✨Families
✨Underserved populations with limited mental health programs
✨Financial needs for persons impacted by suicide, loss or trauma.
✨Formally incarcerated individual
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"It takes a village to raise a child...and a child to teach a village"-
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Rafiah Maxie-Cole
Founder
Soul Survivors of Chicago
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