Today we’d like to introduce you to Ms Vanessa.
Hi Ms, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Peace & Love, my name is Vanessa, and I was born and raised on the vibrant, beautiful island of Jamaica.
From as early as I can remember I was a deeply sensitive and empathetic child., I felt deeply for children facing poverty, neglect, and limited access to love and care. I would often dream of having an organization dedicated to teaching, nourishing, protecting, and above all, loving, kids in need. Growing up, I stepped up to care for my younger siblings whenever my parents faced challenges and disconnected from their roles, which taught me resilience, empathy, and the importance of counting my blessings real early.
When I saw how the government‑ ran children’s homes too often stripped away childhood wonder and compounded trauma, I knew I wanted to build something more nurturing. That calling led me to the United States to pursue dentistry at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, driven by a desire to heal underserved communities. After some personal and professional redirection, I found myself in Cincinnati, accepting a job opportunity and eventually planting roots here. I continued following my passion in roles as a tutor, and scholastic leader, each one drawing me closer to my true purpose.
With the support of my husband, an accomplished food scientist and chef, I co‑founded Chaitation (“Chai with a purpose”). Today, Chaitation is a holistic wellness haven for Over‑the‑Rhine, West End, and Price Hill families. Our brain‑sensory bar blends premium Sri Lankan chai, cold‑pressed essential oils, adaptogenic mushroom cacao, and nutrient‑rich bath salts.
We offer:
Free medical products and services to kids in OTR, Price Hill and The West End
After‑school & weekend programs (homework club, creative art workshops, mindfulness games)
Feeding initiatives serving fresh, healthy meals to under‑resourced kids
Mind Maze Summer Camp combining nature walks, sensory exploration, and emotional‑intelligence lessons
Meditation & breathwork sessions that pair our signature products with guided practices
Youth entrepreneurship labs teaching critical thinking, financial literacy, and leadership
Everything we do, from our food‑based candles for eczema relief to our CBD sleep gummies, reflects my belief that true healing is cultural, creative, and community‑driven. Every smile, every moment of calm, and every spark of curiosity in our kids reminds me why I started Chaitation.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Has it been a smooth road? Absolutely not, far from it. We were delayed five months from opening our doors due to mendacious and deliberate business practices that set us back before we even began. We’ve weathered landlord bullying, relocation headaches, and the constant scramble to secure funding, all while trying to stay true to our mission.
Yet every setback taught me something invaluable. I learned that not every loss is failure. it’s an opportunity to grow, pivot, and refine my vision. Those hard lessons wouldn’t have been possible without my rock‑solid support system: my family, and especially my brilliant husband. Having at least one true friend and partner in this life has made all the bumps along the way worth the fight.
Today, I’m more prepared, more resilient, and more determined than ever. If there’s one thing I’ve taken from these struggles, it’s this: be ready for the lesson, embrace the challenge, and keep moving forward. That’s the heartbeat of Chaitation, and why we’re still standing strong.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about CHAITATION?
CHAITATION is a nonprofit brain-sensory wellness bar and youth-development hub proudly serving Over-the-Rhine, West End, and Price Hill. We provide safe, culturally grounded spaces where children and families can access holistic wellness that honors both tradition and innovation.
In addition to our signature sensory-based programs, we proudly offer free access to medical wellness products and services, supported by a team of trained nurses, licensed dietitians, certified wellness coaches, and our in-house food scientist. From eczema and anxiety relief to emotional regulation tools, nutrition consultations, and herbal wellness solutions, we ensure underserved communities receive both preventive care and daily mental wellness support in ways that are tangible, nourishing, and deeply rooted in community care.
What We Do & What Sets Us Apart
Our Mindful Programming includes a daily Homework Club, our Snack N’ Smart feeding initiative, and our signature Mind Maze Summer Camp, all designed to build critical thinking, emotional resilience, and creativity in young minds.
At our Sensory Bar, we blend ancestral wisdom with food science. Our in-house food scientist crafts healing products such as Sri Lankan–style chai, adaptogenic mushroom cacao, food-grade bath salts, skin-soothing CBD balms, and multipurpose essential oil blends, all made from real, nutrient-rich ingredients.
To ensure community access, we donate both mental and medical wellness products and services, including eczema and anxiety relief kits, herbal remedies, and wellness consultations, to low-income families. We also host free workshops and healing sessions to make self-care and emotional support available to those who need it most.
Unlike traditional youth centers, CHAITATION is family-founded, BIPOC-led, woman-owned and uniquely blends ancestral healing practices with science-backed self-care. We are known for transforming everyday routines, like sipping tea or taking a bath, into deeply intentional, healing ceremonies.
Proudest Achievements
Served over 116 children through Konscious Kids programs
Donated more than $28,000 in mental and medical wellness products and services
Current Transition & Future Vision
With the closure of the OTR Community Center, the need for our work has grown, and the urgency to find a new home is immediate. We are actively securing a space in Over-the-Rhine to house our after-school programs, sensory wellness bar, and community healing events. Reopening will allow us to continue offering vital services, emotional support, creative expression, and a safe haven for hundreds of local youths.
What We Want You to Know
CHAITATION isn’t just a wellness bar, it’s a community sanctuary where every child is seen, heard, and uplifted. Whether you sip chai during meditation, enroll your child in our programs, or support our GoFundMe to help us reopen, you’re investing in a village committed to healing, learning, and thriving together.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I know God, therefore I don’t believe in luck. I move with intention. I write down the vision, make a plan, and follow through. My mission has never relied on chance. It’s always been about showing up with purpose and turning goals into action. When you move with clarity, you create your own opportunities.
Alignment brought us the first volunteers who helped launch Konscious Kids. And yes, chance conversations opened doors. But those so-called “lucky breaks” were really the result of intentional outreach, supporting small businesses, delivering medical-grade wellness tools to low-income families, and building a stronger, more conscious community, one relationship at a time.
Of course, the path hasn’t been easy. From landlord intimidation to the sudden closure of the OTR Community Center, we’ve faced real adversity. There were moments I thought about walking away. But Cincinnati’s kids are where my heart is, and I refused to let circumstances rewrite the vision. Instead, we launched fundraisers, pivoted fast, and committed to securing a new space where our impact could grow even deeper.
At Chaitation, we don’t wait for fortune, we forge it. We meet every obstacle with faith, strategy, and community. While financial sustainability matters, our greatest wealth is found in purpose. With my family aligned, and a firm belief in God and in self, this journey continues to be one of the most rewarding of my life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://chaitation.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chaitation/
- Other: https://gofund.me/a07a6d57
Image Credits
Chaitations
