Help Khalia turn Operation Choose Life from dream to reality

Love and light to you all! My name is Khalia and I am currently residing in Thailand where I have been for the past year. I moved here to embark on a journey of inner-child healing and to grow closer to self. In doing so I have grown so much and have been able to accomplish two of my biggest dreams. One, becoming a published children’s author of my book “Khalias Journey to Joy” that focuses on youth mental health. Two, booked my first public speaking engagement where I had the opportunity to tell my story and inspire an audience of over 600 people. This journey has reminded me of my power and fully aligned me with my purpose of being for the community what I needed as a kid. That brings me to my third dream of starting my non profit Operation Choose Life. As much as I love Thailand and how it’s become a place I can call home it’s time I start to plan my voyage back to the communities I’m from to fulfill my purpose and make my next dream come true.

What is Operation Choose life?

OCL is my non profit that focuses on choosing life over just surviving. Our primary focus is providing the youth with tools to manage their mental health, learn the importance of emotional intelligence, mindfulness and creating a safe space within. I created a curriculum that splits into a 2 week workshop for your ages 12-18; where I go to schools , DCF offices, after school programs, and more to teach kids tools such as journaling with prompts, mindfulness practices, positive affirmations/self-talk, overcoming impostor syndrome and so much more. After they complete the work shop they receive a t-shirt, a journal with prompts and a bracelet. In addition to the work shop I follow up weekly at each location to provide a sense of consistency and support as the youth navigate this journey. I also offer to teach these tools to the staff of these facilities so they can better support their youth as they navigate this journey.

Eventually once I’ve made the proper connections and raised the funds my goal is to open a youth center called Safe Space by Operation Choose Life that embodies the importance of healthy habits for healthy minds. Suicide was the second leading cause of death in youth ages 10-17 last year in the US and Massachusetts was the state with the most cases. No child should feel they rather be dead then live before they’ve gotten a chance to experience life at all. We are passionate about providing tools to help them choose life even when it’s hard, even when life is uncertain.

I was 12 the first time I tried to take my own life. That lead to addiction and several more attempts as I continued to battle with my mental health. My first step to choosing life was getting sober and then healing my inner child. When I look back on what could of prevented me from going down that path it was having access to the tools I provide in OCL. Being taught compassion for self , grace for self , and loving myself. Operation Choose Life is just getting started but I know it’s going to make a change not just in my life but in the world. The kids are our future and healthy kids become healthy adults .

Eventually I want to start a program for foster parents to better educate them on supporting fostering youth, a program for recovering addicts and single parents but for now my focus is supporting the minds and the hearts of our kids. If you’ve read this far thank you for your time, donations and shares Remember everyday to CHOOSE LIFE ✨