Charity Profile: To Write Love on Her Arms

Planet Connection Theater Festivity is proud to list To Write Love On Her Arms as one of this seasons Featured Charities.

Two out of three people who struggle with depression never seek help.  Rather than reaching out to family, friends, or other loved ones, they use other means of coping. Destructive means. The vision of To Write Love on Her Arms (more commonly referred to as TWLOHA) is to show those people, stretched to the limits of their strength, that there is community of people, full of love, waiting with open arms to give hope and strength to help relieve their silent suffering. This non-profit organization is focused on helping those who are fighting battles against not only depression, but also addiction,  and self-injury. TWLOHA 's vision also provides support for those who have survived the loss of loved ones to suicide.

In the spring of 2006, TWLOHA was born in Orlando Florida. Founder, Jamie Tworkowski  wrote of his experience of waiting five days outside of a drug treatment center with his friend Renee, as she was repeatedly denied access. He entitled the story “To Write Love on Her Arms”.  You can read the story here: http://www.twloha.com/vision/story/. After realizing the reasons Renee was denied, Jamie decided to design and create t-shirts as a way to help pay for her treatment. Soon after they were printed, band members from Switchfoot and Anberlin were wearing the shirts to help promote the fight against depression and addiction.

In America alone, it is estimated that 19 million people live with depression.  It is the third leading cause of death among those 18 – 24 years old. In the past six years, TWLOHA has responded to over 150,000 messages from over 40 different countries from young men and women who have survived their struggle because of the message of hope and help.

Planet Connections is proud to promote the cause of TWLOHA as it continues to reach out and give hope  All monetary donations for the organization help support the Kristin Brooks Hope Center, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, The Self Injury Foundation, Kids Help Line, and many others. TWLOHA is a project for all people regardless of age, gender, race, sexual orientation or religious beliefs. Hope and love do not discriminate - neither does TWLOHA.

Here is an excerpt from the story by Jaime Tworkowski: “She is alive now, in the patience and safety of rehab, covered in marks of madness but choosing to believe that God makes things new, that He meant hope and healing in the stars. She would ask you to remember.” Planet Connection Theater Festivity hopes to spread  their message of hope to all those who come to experience the many stories shared  in June.

If you, or someone you know, can no longer deal with the struggles of life, know there is hope.  You can find that at http://www.twloha.com.


by Jennifer Dobies
edited by Erika Bracy