APRIL 2014
NONPROFIT 9
WWW.GETSETMAG.COM
TWLOHA began as a way for friends to help struggling addict Renee Yohe.
ONE STORY
PARTICIPANTS IN THE STORYTELLER’S 5K RELEASED BALLOONS IN MEMORY OF THOSE THEY’D LOST.
To Write Love on Her Arms is a nonprofit movement dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury, and suicide. TWLOHA exists to encourage, inform, inspire, and invest directly into treatment and recovery. twloha.com twloha.com/storytellers
HELPING STUDENTS OVERCOME STRUGGLES, ONE STORY AT A TIME. Brooks High School student, Cara Strange, had followed To Write Love on Her Arms (TWLOHA) for a while when she discovered their Storytellers program. According to their website, TWLOHA is “a movement dedicated to presenting hope and finding help for people struggling with depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide.” “From the start, I knew this would be a program that would call me to step beyond my comfort zone,” Strange said. “My passion for this organization silenced any fear and doubt.” The Storytellers is a two-month student-led campaign that enables high school students to share stories and create awareness about mental health. While Strange’s friends and family were on board, her school’s administration was hesitant about allowing the program. Since the administration didn’t know enough about the organization, many teachers were reluctant to jump on board as advisors. Still, Strange pressed on. “As a student, I saw the need for this program in our school, so I researched. I printed every bit of information I could get my hands on,” said Strange. “After I did this, I took the folder to my vice principal and let her read through
it. A couple of days later, she agreed it was a good idea.” As a required community event, Strange and The Storytellers hosted a 5K/1 mile fun run on Feb. 22. Through the event, Strange raised $716 for The Storytellers campaign. In between races, balloons were released to signify real lives that were taken by treatable diseases and illnesses. Each balloon had an index card with a name, date of birth and date of death written on it. “Each name [belonged to] a friend or a family member and we honored their time here with the release of balloons to let them know they are loved and missed,” Strange said. Currently, The Storytellers are participating in an activity called “Fears vs. Dreams.” Students write down their biggest fear and greatest dream. The purpose of this is to show the students they are not alone and they matter. To get more information on TWLOHA, please visit “TWLOHA” on Facebook and @TWLOHA on Twitter.
STORY BY EMILY RUSSELL