Soul Survivors of Chicago
Is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 2021and dedicated to reshaping the approach to trauma, grief, and suicide, particularly within Black and marginalized communities. Founded by Rafiah Maxie-Cole after her son Jamal’s tragic death by suicide in 2020, the organization translates lived experience into lifesaving advocacy and peer-led support.
By blending clinical expertise with cultural competency, Soul Survivors offers workshops, street outreach, education, and the Generation Survivors Squad youth advisory board—ensuring that programming reflects the voices of those it serves. Through school-based initiatives, community events, and partnerships with local agencies, Soul Survivors educates families about mental health and wellness, suicide prevention, and trauma-informed care.
The organization’s award winning signature “While the Children Fade” documentary amplifies personal narratives alongside expert insights to spark honest conversations about suicide, stigma, and resilience. By deconstructing barriers to care and championing accessible, culturally sensitive resources, Soul Survivors empowers communities to reclaim their narratives and cultivate intergenerational healing.
Through continuous evaluation and survivor feedback, the organization refines its approach to ensure services remain responsive, innovative, and grounded in community wisdom.
As a beacon of hope and solidarity, Soul Survivors of Chicago invites every visitor to explore resources, share stories, and join a movement dedicated to transforming tragedy into collective empowerment.
How We Began
On May 27, 2020, my world changed forever when my son, Jamal, took his own life. He was just 19 years old, and it was the most devastating day of my life. Jamal, my firstborn, was a beacon of love, kindness, and respect.
Though he is no longer with us in sight, I felt his loving soul remained. To honor his memory and continue his legacy, I founded Soul Survivors of Chicago.
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Soul Survivors of Chicago is dedicated to supporting those who have lost loved ones to suicide, violence, or trauma. We focus on three crucial areas: Support, Education, and Awareness.
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One of our key initiatives is the "Walk in Purpose" project. Through this program, we donate new and lightly used shoes in memory of our lost loved ones to individuals impacted by mental health, suicide, trauma, or loss. Each pair of shoes bears the name of the departed, symbolizing that the recipient is "walking in the shoes of someone unable to move forward in life," thereby encouraging them to "Walk in Purpose."
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Additionally, we provide crisis financial support to those affected by violence or trauma, offering funds to help those impacted by suicide, trauma, and loss.
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Finally, we are committed to educating, preventing, and raising awareness about mental health and wellness within communities of color. Through our advocacy, outreach, and community activities, we strive to break the stigma and promote mental health.
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Join us in our mission to honor our loved ones and make a positive impact in our communities.
OUR MISSION
Soul Survivors of Chicago, mission is to provide suicide prevention and mental health awareness and education to our and underserved communities of color.
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 our street outreach innovative educational projects, workshops, public speaking, documentaries 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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"Generation Survivors Squad"
Advisory Board
✨Application✨
The Generation Survivors Squad Advisory Board is a group of youth and young adults. This group advises the Soul Survivors of Chicago Board of Directors on issues that impact youth and young adults. The members of the advisory board must be between the ages at least 16 years old and come from different backgrounds and locations in the City of Chicago and Cook County. The goals of the advisory board include supporting the work of the organization and providing insight to the mental health needs of our community.