To Write Love On Her Arms

To Write Love on Her Arms, also known as TWLOHA, is an American non-profit organization which aims to present hope and find help for young people struggling with problems such as depression, drug addiction, self-injury, and suicide. Based in Central Florida, TWLOHA seeks to connect young people to treatment centers, websites, books, support groups, and other resources. TWLOHA also encourages young people to have honest conversations about these issues, to live in community, and to seek help for these treatable conditions.

All money donated to TWLOHA goes towards bringing hope and help to meet people right where they are. A large portion is dedicating to bridging the gap between traditional treatment (i.e. rehab, counseling, helplines) and the places where ordinary people come together and live their lives. Examples of this include: music festivals and tours, social networking sites, and schools and universities. Wanting to support existing professional help organizations (not wanting to replace them), TWLOHA also sends a portion of donations directly to such causes as National Hopeline Network, Teen Challenge and (in Australia) Kids Help Line. TWLOHA committed to supporting these organizations each month for the rest of 2007, with a fundraising goal of US$100,000.

TWLOHA was founded by Jamie Tworkowski in March 2006. Prior to that, the seeds of the group were sown by a story written by Tworkowski, about 19-year-old Renee Yohe, who struggled with addiction, depression, self-injury, and attempted suicide. Tworkowski's story, written in February 2006, chronicles Yohe's life five days before she entered treatment. Unable to get Yohe checked into a treatment centre in the mean time, friends take care of her through love and prayer.

We become her hospital and the possibility of healing fills our living room with life. It is unspoken and there are only a few of us, but we will be her church, the body of Christ coming alive to meet her needs, to write love on her arms.

On the FAQ for TWLOHA's official website, it stated that Renee has finished rehab and is currently going to school in Florida. It also stated that she is healthy and sober, although she'll have to fight her addiction for the rest of her life.

More information on www.twloha.com.

Other organisations:

Save the Franklin Theatre & Invisible Children