About
- Cheslie -
From a young age, Cheslie Kryst’s love for music blossomed as she became a skilled violinist. She later added piano to her repertoire. Her musical talents lit up pageants and special events, where she shared her passion with grace. A gifted writer, Cheslie’s creative brilliance extended beyond music. She penned thoughtful blogs and articles and, alongside her mother, April Simpkins, became a New York Times Bestselling Author with their deeply moving book, By The Time You Read This – The Space Between Cheslie’s Smile And Mental Illness.​
​Cheslie grew up in a family where creativity was the heartbeat of their home. Her mother, a passionate theater enthusiast and accomplished musician, infused the arts into their lives, inspiring Cheslie and her five siblings to explore their talents. The household hummed with the sound of music, poetry, and song, where instruments like the guitar, tuba, clarinet, and piano became extensions of their voices. Cheslie and her siblings embraced the joy of creativity, expressing themselves through music, dance, writing, and more, crafting a shared legacy of artistic passion and talent.
Mission
The Cheslie C. Kryst Foundation supports mental wellness in teens and young adults by promoting creative expression as a form of healing. We fund organizations doing this work, offer scholarships to future mental health professionals, and create safe spaces where young people can process their emotions through art.
Vision
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A world where every teen and young adult feels safe to express their emotions, access mental health support, and use creativity as a powerful tool for healing and connection.
We believe every young person has the potential to achieve great things, and to make a positive impact in their communities and in the world.