Chai Talk Mission
Chai Talk's purpose is to ADVOCATE for mental health awareness across all communities, connect the COMMUNITY with mental health providers and services, and ENGAGE the community to make an impact.
Khadija Sufi, Founder of Chai Talk
I have been a resident of Naperville for over 15 years, and I am raising my four children who are in school district 204. I have a small ‘women-owned' business, and I am a part of an administrative team for the western suburb township.
My Story
Story behind "Chai Talk"
Growing up in America, as a woman of South Asian heritage, I am equally rooted in both cultures. Where Coffee provides the correct dose of caffeine to kick start the mornings, the afternoon Chai is a time to unwind, be vulnerable and connect. It is a time of bonding with family or friends.
As a parent, when my children came home from school, I would have them gather around the kitchen table for light snacks before dinner. Then, I would ask them about their day, what they learned or maybe unlearned, and how they planned on handling the situation. Sometimes, I would share my issues and ask for their input.
Over the pandemic, my children went through mental health struggles. It was excruciating seeing them suffer. They were giving up hope. Yet, I knew they were aching to reclaim themselves as positive, ambitious, and outgoing youths.
As a parent, I had to salvage myself while providing support to my children from this abysmal despair that had cast a shadow over millions of households and, unfortunately, taken the lives of others.
My journey is about learning to be vulnerable. Learning to let go of judgments. Learning to have faith. Learning to be intentional about healing. Join me on this journey because, "The wound is the place where the light enters you" - Rumi.