To Write Love on Her Arms

TWLOHA University Chapters

Aug. 25, 2009 at 12:21pm

Hello everyone,

My name is Denny and I am the TWLOHA UChapter Coordinator. I have been a TWLOHA staff member for 1 1/2 years. Last fall, the idea was created to develop TWLOHA student-lead organizations on university campuses, beginning in the United States. This fall, the idea is being realized when 14 colleges will be representing TWLOHA as the first ever TWLOHA UChapters.

All of this is very exciting for our team. We believe TWLOHA UChapters is part of the future in causing real, tangible change in community settings at a local and global level. Not one movement has occurred in the U.S. without college students being at the forefront, protesting change and interacting with culture in a new way, forcing even the government to listen. If stigmas, which represent a form of contemporary slavery, are going to be overthrown and replaced by a new regime of honesty and openness on university campuses (and beyond), there must be a voice from within the university body. The voice must be provocative and creative, growing from within the lives of students who care.

To be honest, we don't know where this will go and we don't know exactly what change to expect or how this change will look. We do know there are students who have gifts and desires that MUST be used as leverage against a society that struggles to find places of honesty and understanding. So in many ways, UChapters is TWLOHA's response to the response of students. Essentially, UChapters are groups on college campuses who embody the values which underlie TWLOHA's vision and mission. They will reflect TWLOHA, therein imaging the heart of TWLOHA. Each UChapter will serve on their college campus and within their local community. Through building community, we believe UChapters can organize gatherings, cultivate awareness, and create a network that actively raises funds and reaches people with a message of hope and help.

Personally, I have tasted this hope and help that can only be found in community. I know what it feels like to move from death to life and then to use the brokenness as a source of redemption for others. Universities are filled with brokenness and stories of hope that must be reconciled. It is estimated that more than 1,000 U.S. college students die by suicide each year. Death by suicide is the second leading cause of death among college students. 1 in 12 have created a suicide plan. 90% had a psychiatric disorder at the time of death; 60% of those having severe depression. 10% of college students have been diagnosed with depression disorder, the majority of which never receive treatment. Yet in the face of these despairing figures, since 1994, suicide rates among 15-24 year olds has decreased 28.5%. We believe TWLOHA UChapters will be a means to even more change.

With 15 UChapters already launching this fall, we hope to launch another 15 for the spring. If you are a college student, or are about to be one, and desire to either connect with an established UChapter on your campus or help start one, you can email chapters@twloha.com and we will send you further information. Below is the list of active UChapters for this fall:

1. Columbia College, Chicago
2. University of South Alabama
3. Bloomsburg University, Pennsylvania
4. University of Northern Iowa
5. Ithaca College, New York
6. South East Missouri State University
7. Texas Tech University
8. Oklahoma State University
9.   University of Texas-Austin
10. Manchester College, Indiana
11. UMASS-Lowell, Massachusetts
12. University of Florida
13. Miami University, Ohio
14. Virginia Commonwealth University

With Hope,
Denny

Posted in General by jamie tworkowski

Comments (24)

i am so proud to know that ithaca college is taking part of this. knowing that people so close to myself believe in this as much as i do is great. you should do this in highschools, too.

1 | Left by shelby | Aug. 25, 2009 at 2:04pm

I'm so excited about this. I've always wanted to start one in my high school. Now, I'm in college and I was thinking about starting on here. So, I'm pretty happy this came up.

2 | Left by Kendra Paul | Aug. 25, 2009 at 2:26pm

I'm so glad that Miami University is participating in this. As soon as I saw that TWLOHA wanted to start university chapters, I thought I'd try to start one here. I'm glad to see someone already has.

3 | Left by Madison MacDonald | Aug. 25, 2009 at 2:44pm

I just read this and I was just hoping that SOME iowa college would have a chapter... I didn't think that MY university would have one. I'm really excited for this.

4 | Left by Craig | Aug. 25, 2009 at 7:21pm

I'm so excited to get one started at the University of Michigan!!

5 | Left by Maria | Aug. 25, 2009 at 7:47pm

Thank you. My university isn't on this list but this is amazing. I have felt that this is something I need to get started on my campus. So thank you, Team. What an amazing idea

6 | Left by Rachel | Aug. 26, 2009 at 10:17am

I think this is wonderful! I attend the University of North Florida in Jacksonville FL and would love to lend a hand in getting a group started on my campus. Let me know if there is anything I can do.
Thanks for spreading hope.

7 | Left by Trish | Aug. 26, 2009 at 9:11pm

i'm a freshman at Murray State University in KY, and i would love to start a TWLOHA chapter here. i really think it would amaze people, and i hope it will call more people to be a part of TWLOHA. thankyou so much for all the hope you put in people's lives.

8 | Left by madeleine | Aug. 28, 2009 at 2:53pm

I'm a Freshman at Appalachian State U, and I really want to be able to start up a UChapter of TWLOHA here. I sent an email, so I hope to hear back you from you guys soon!

9 | Left by Zach | Aug. 30, 2009 at 9:59am

I am beyond excited to see Miami University on the list...however I have so far been unable to contact anyone in charge of the chapter here! Can anyone help me out?

10 | Left by Emily | Aug. 30, 2009 at 5:21pm

I emailed about starting a chapter at my school.. but its been a week and I still havent gotten a reply. :(

11 | Left by Matt | Sep. 2, 2009 at 8:09pm

St. Mary's University in San Antonio is starting up one as well!!

12 | Left by Cassandra | Sep. 2, 2009 at 8:41pm

yesterday St.Mary's University had our first TWLOHA chapter get-together!! it was a great

13 | Left by Geno | Sep. 3, 2009 at 9:46am

This is great! I'm still in high school, but when I go to college, if there isn't already a chapter, I would definitely love to start one! Thanks so much for starting this, it's a wonderful idea. :)

14 | Left by Carisa | Sep. 7, 2009 at 8:51am

Is TWLOHA actually going to these campuses and having an event? if so when will the date be for the University of Florida?!?

thanks.

15 | Left by mitch | Sep. 8, 2009 at 7:48am

As the secretary for the University of South Alabama chapter, I am excited to see what is already happening on our campus. People have already started coming to our meetings, bake sales, whatever and telling us their stories and asking if they can be a part. We are planning some big things this year and we are all pumped to get a community of help and hope going here.

16 | Left by Amanda Whatley | Sep. 8, 2009 at 6:59pm

I am so glad we have a TWLOHA-Ithaca College chapter. Spread the hope. TWLOHA did a lot for me.

17 | Left by Rachel | Sep. 9, 2009 at 10:36pm

I really think that Binghamton University should be a part of this too. and i want to know how i can get this started. I'd appreciate any information

18 | Left by Brittany | Sep. 10, 2009 at 8:10am

I'm so glad you guys came to Buffalo and I was thrilled to hear about University Chapters. I would like to know how to get one started here. TWOLHA has brought hope to me and people I know.

19 | Left by Athena | Sep. 10, 2009 at 9:09am

This is an awesome idea. It should definitely be done in high schools also.

20 | Left by Megan | Sep. 18, 2009 at 8:50pm

Hey guys. My name is Cody I attend Western Illinois University and I had emailed you about how to start a UChapter here. I'm even more excited now than I have been before. I got involved in a student lead church organization called Campus Students for Christ, every Wednesday night they have a evening service called F.I.R.E. and after this we have a small groups session. We recently decided on our small groups and got settled in. I have missed the past 3 small groups due to uncontrollable circumstances but each small group does a service project and at the first small group me and a friend of mine talked about TWLOHA and the UChapters. I told the group I had emailed you guys and everything...and last night I got some exciting news. While I was gone they voted on the service project, which also include many other organizations and local projects as well, and TWLOHA was chosen as our service project. I find that this is a step even closer to getting a UChapter started here and getting myself involved on campus and with a great cause. :)

21 | Left by Cody | Sep. 30, 2009 at 9:56am

I am so excited to launch our chapter at St. Edward's University in the Spring. :) I can't even being to put into words how much this organization means to me, and how amazing an opportunity this is. Thank you, TWLOHA, and thank you, Denny.

22 | Left by Rachel T. | Sep. 30, 2009 at 4:55pm

I am hoping to get a Chapter started at my University, Mount Vernon Nazarene University. This is so, so close to my heart. I want to change the world and have always desired to do so by helping those through depression, addiction, self-injury, and even suicide. So, with luck, MVNU will have its own Chapter. =]

23 | Left by Grayce | Nov. 2, 2009 at 3:24pm

To help raise support and knowledge, myself and 4 other dedicated students have begun the creation of a chapter at Michigan State University. Thank you for allowing us to love, learn, and help. As a member of an age group known for activism, I will do my best to promote the cause.

24 | Left by gage | Nov. 2, 2009 at 5:42pm

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