by Jaya Koilpillai | Founder and President, R.O.S.E.S., Inc.
Jaya Koilpillai, Adriana Koilpillai and mother/grandmother Margaret Koilpillai in Hosur India, 2009
Life can change in an instant, overnight or during a pandemic. In 2020, my life didn’t simply change, it became unrecognizable. A 16-year marriage and the foundation of my family disappeared as my attentive husband and my precious, loving mother were taken from my daughter and me due to neurological illnesses.
These insidious diseases (Parkinson’s and dementia) had developed over years, robbing us slowly of these dear ones’ memories, personalities, beliefs, abilities to show empathy and love – and our future with them. My beloved mother died on August 1, 2020 in India, and I feel her presence every minute of every day. But I miss her.
Both my parents gave me a lifetime of charity as inspiration to turn talents and experience into help for people in need. I couldn’t let my experiences only be about my pain and subsequent healing; I just saw too many other people – especially teens and young adults; my daughter included – who were experiencing similar trauma. I am a trained communicator and coach; I am a loyal friend and an empathic listener, problem-solver and advisor. But I wanted to provide help beyond my circle of friends and family.
That's why I started ROSES.
Alleviating mental distress like anxiety, sadness and depression; enhancing trauma recovery; integrating loss into a productive and happy life – my foundational goal is to contribute positively to these efforts for individuals.
The acronym ROSES has literal meaning (Rising Opportunities through Science, Education and Service). Its symbolic meaning is more powerful to me: My parents loved their beautiful rose gardens, which they cultivated over their entire 90+-year lifetimes on two continents. My mother’s favorites were fragrant cutting roses of dark pinks and reds, and unusual colors like lavenders. These are mine, too.
Among the thorns of life, I hope my ROSES will offer hope, healing and health to many, many people. Please join me in this important mission.
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