CHICAGO – Today, Coffee, Hip-Hop & Mental Health (CHHAMH), a Chicago non-profit that provides free therapy to those facing financial barriers, launched a DeMar DeRozan-inspired coffee drink and hoodie in partnership with the Chicago Bulls. The proceeds of these products will benefit CHHAMH and their weekly men’s group therapy for a year.
“Coffee, Hip Hop and Mental Health is making a real difference in the lives of many Chicagoans. I’ve joined them for a few group therapy sessions, and each time I’m humbled by the shared humanity of the men in the room and the impact of these services,” said DeMar DeRozan. “Mental health is an issue that is deeply personal to me and affects so many. I’m honored to join them and help support their mission as we work together to break the stigma around mental health.”
The DeRozan Latte is a cinnamon vanilla latte, available hot or iced, and will cost $11, a callback to his jersey number. The hoodie, which costs $80, is available in four different colors and features designs inspired by DeMar and his commitment to elevating the conversation around mental health. Christopher LeMark, the founder of CHHAMH, first designed the hoodie as a gift for DeMar, when he attended a group therapy session. Based on popular demand, they have made the sweatshirt available for purchase in four colors.
“When you look up the definition of support, it means to bear all or part of the weight or to hold up. It also means to give assistance to, especially financially; to enable people to function or act. That’s the heartbeat of this organization, to truly support our community,” said Christopher LeMark, founder and CEO of Coffee, Hip-Hop & Mental Health. “We want to empower them to take a holistic approach to their mental health. When we empower, that's true impact. When we get a chance to collaborate with influential organizations such as the Chicago Bulls, this allows us to create more impact and extends our reach of support to the individuals that truly need assistance.”
Coffee, Hip-Hop & Mental Health is a Chicago-based non-profit that provides free individual and group therapy to those facing financial barriers, particularly in Black neighborhoods. The donation-based coffee shop model funds the program, builds community and is a space of refuge for those in need of support. Hip-hop is intentionally infused in everything they do, from the beverage menu to the creatively curated events they host throughout the city.
Starting today, both items are available for purchase at the Coffee, Hip-Hop & Mental Health Café, located in Lakeview at 1051 W Belmont Ave. Customers can purchase the hoodie at the café or online at www.chhamh.org/shop, as supplies last. All proceeds will benefit CHHAMH’s mental health services, including covering the cost of their weekly men’s group therapy sessions for a year.
The Bulls understand the importance of mental health and make investments both with employees and in the community to increase access to resources and reduce stigma. The team employs a full-time psychologist who supports mental health and performance for the team, and the organization offers all employees free Headspace subscriptions. The Bulls also support community access to mental health resources through philanthropy and events. Recently, the Bulls have offered yoga for youth with The Healing, hosted art therapy for Ukrainian refugees with Noah’s Arc Foundation, offered mental health sessions for moms who have lost children to violence with Mural Movement and facilitated a full-day mental health summit for sophomores at South Shore International College Prep.