Soul Survivors of Chicago is a Non-for-Profit dedicated to educate, advocate and support underserved BIOPC communities around prevention of Suicide. We address the importance of mental health and wellness and supporting those impacted by suicide, loss or trauma.
My Name is Rafiah Maxie-Cole. I am a Mother, Advocate, Licensed Clinical Social Worker. On May 27, 2020, my 19 -year old son completed suicide in our home.
I decided to turn my pain into purpose...and I felt compelled to continue his legacy. I desperately wanted to share his story for others impacted by suicide, trauma and violence in the BIPOC community. In addition, I wanted to advocate for suicide prevention and provide support to others in the community impacted by mental health and the importance of silencing the stigma associated with mental illness.
Mission
The mission of Soul Survivors of Chicago is to Educate, Advocate and Support underserved communities of color around prevention of suicide. We address the importance of mental health and wellness theough education and advocacy and we support those impacted by suicide, loss or trauma and providing innovative approaches to decreasing suicide for a strong mentally healthy community
The Walking Purpose Project
The Walk in Purpose Project started as a small idea, a way to honor those we've lost while also giving back to the community. It began with a simple gesture - gifting the shoes of our loved ones who have passed away by suicide to those experiencing crisis. But these were not just any shoes, they were the shoes that held the memories of our loved ones' journeys in life. We gathered donated shoes and brought them to a local shoe cleaner who lovingly cleaned and sanitized each pair. And then, the most important part - we labeled each shoe with the name and life story of our lost one. It was a way to keep their memory alive and give others a glimpse into the impact they had on this world.
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But this project is not just about honoring our loved ones. It is also about reaching out to the underserved community in Chicago, specifically those struggling with mental health. These shoes, now clean and labeled, served as a symbolic gift to those who may feel lost or alone. It is a reminder that they are not alone - they are walking in the shoes of someone who faced their own struggles. These shoes are a protective factor, a reminder to keep going and to walk with a new purpose.
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As the project grows, so does our impact. The recipients of these shoes are touched by the personal connection and the message of hope it carries . And through their own struggles, they find strength in knowing they are walking in the shoes of someone who may no longer be here, but whose purpose was still carried on.
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The Walk in Purpose Project is a beacon of light in the community, spreading the message to “keep going”. Each pair of shoes given out is a small step towards healing and hope, a reminder that no matter how tough the journey, there is always a purpose to keep moving forward
