Blog

  • Apr. 14, 2010 at 8:02pm

    Hey Guys.

    We've seen some surprising doors open and we've been invited to borrow some amazing stages over the last four years. Jon Foreman pulled a Title shirt from the very first batch minutes before a sold-out Switchfoot show in South Florida. That was March 2006 and we were off and running. Since then, we've been invited to share a message of hope and help and community with thousands on tours with Anberlin, Bayside, The Almost, The Rocket Summer and Switchfoot - speaking not at 7 o'clock when the room is sparse and chatty but instead taking the stage in the most exciting moment, when the crowd expects the headliner. We’ve spent the last three summers all across America on Warped Tour, and we’ve had the privilege of touring Australia for the last two years of Soundwave Festival. NBC Nightly News introduced us to nine million people on a single night in 2008. Rolling Stone and MTV added to that number in 2009. And with a simple silly YouTube video, Joaquin Phoenix, Miley Cyrus and Liv Tyler put TWLOHA in front of two million folks.

    And it wasn’t all bright lights and famous names. You have played just as much a part. Our message has spread in countless conversations at school and work and coffee. It’s happened in conversations with strangers and friends, sparked by questions such as “What does your shirt mean?” and “Why do you always write LOVE on your arm?”

    Last night we learned about an exciting opportunity, a stage that we would certainly love to borrow. USA Today is giving away a full-page ad. Why is that exciting? Because every morning in America, nearly four million people wake up to USA Today.

    What would we say to four million people?

    It’s exciting to imagine.

    Perhaps a simple message of encouragement, words of hope and help, meant to make four million days a little lighter. Or perhaps a letter to President Obama, telling him that we have to take better care of our soldiers – more are dying by suicide than combat and that’s a fact that screams for our attention. Or maybe it’s the chance to invite America to help fund IMAlive, a live online crisis network that we believe will save thousands of lives. It’s the first of it’s kind and long-overdue.

    It would be quite an opportunity, quite the canvas to paint on, but we need your help to make it happen. We need your passion and your voice (and we need you to tweet).

    Simply click here to post the following on your Twitter: 

    “Let's bring hope and help to America. Please RT: #AmericaWants @TWLOHA to get a full-page ad in USA Today.”

    Please invite your friends to do the same between now and Friday night (4/16) at 11:59pm EST. Learn more here.

    Thanks so much your support. We’re all in this together.

    Peace to you.

    jamie

    Posted in General, Music by jamie tworkowski

Comments (22)

I've been posting and dong RT's all day about it! I've been supporting TWLOHA for about 4 years as of now,and it's really kept me going,there's a lot going on in my life right now and I don't know where I would be with out this organization. Thank You!

1 | Left by Alexandra | Apr. 14, 2010 at 5:24pm


You're passion and enthusiasm towards helping others is so inspiring. You guys were there for me at a time in my life where I felt I had nothing to hang onto. I'm more than happy to help you guys achieve this aim. I recently bought my first TWLOHA shirt. Just an original one, nothing too fancy, and bought a wrist band at an Australian music festival in Toowoomba called Easterfest. Everytime I wear it, I have someone ask me what it means. I feel so glad to be able to spread the word to as many people as I can. Even though I'm not famous, or well known, even being able to tell one or two people everynow and then makes me feel like I could be helping someone else on their journey. I sincerely hope and pray that you get this ad. God is doing amazing things with your organisation. I have no doubt he'll continue to bless you and your work. x

2 | Left by Jasmine | Apr. 14, 2010 at 5:25pm


i think that 4million people want to know they're loved.

xx

3 | Left by Madeline | Apr. 14, 2010 at 6:24pm


Canada has a higher sucide rate then the US and no one talkes about that

4 | Left by Kathryn | Apr. 14, 2010 at 6:29pm


It is an amazing opportunity to make 4 Million days a little brighter, 4 million people a little happier, and 4 millio times the love to be shared.

5 | Left by Zoe | Apr. 14, 2010 at 6:43pm


I would hug the 4million people. I don't think my words would be enough.

6 | Left by starla | Apr. 14, 2010 at 6:51pm


I've been RTing it again and again.
I saw Jamie last night at EMU,
so moving, so thought provoking.

7 | Left by Jaclyn | Apr. 14, 2010 at 7:05pm


I cant wait till you come to Maryland/DC.
I'm writing a speech about TWLOHA.
One day, Ill be able to talk to 4 million people.
One day, Ill be able to tell my story

8 | Left by Zahra | Apr. 15, 2010 at 6:55am


Jamie, i have been supporting you guys for about 3 or 4 years now, and i know you probably wont read this but i still am waiting for the chance to see you. Renee and you are my true idols, and if i ever got to see you two i dont know what i really do. Just to hear you talk on stage about something so moving something that could make the whole world cry with one story is something I have been waiting for. What you do is incredible and is something i could never forget. My dream once was to intership and come down to Flordia and work with to write love on her arms because you guys are so powerful in what you do. I love helping all i can i hope to see you some day.

9 | Left by Chelsea | Apr. 15, 2010 at 12:56pm


I believe 4 million people need to know it is OK to ASK for help!

One year ago, I was released from from a psyche ward with a plan to re-create my life. The only reason I am here today is because I finally realized that I could not dig myself out of depression by myself. It was the day my life began to shift...the day I was able to tell the truth of my pain, was the day I began to heal.

10 | Left by Florence Haridan | Apr. 15, 2010 at 7:17pm


"4 million people"

That's people as in "people" right, not any specific gender, correct? Perhaps the name is innocuous (twlonha), it's not like a troubled and alienated male is going to have a meltdown on yet "another depression support site" that resists the popular movement of gender neutral words. But in lieu of your site's vision, let's ask the question, on how many males out there w/depression will/will not, entirely bypass the faq on this site's name, and consign it to yet another, "women's emotional support thing"? That's probably a rhetorical question right there. Maybe this isn't how things work across the country, but most mental health programs in this area, skip the gender hurdle altogether by not using silly brand names, and hence, are still able to discuss gender divisions, but without the unbalanced stigmatization, that still will repel those "narrow-minded" males. It seems based upon this site and facebook, the females are your biggest target demographic, and you're making an impacting. That's great, but those on the outside are going to fail to rationally see your refusal on making concessions and compromises as something you may all think is, "innocuous" or "misunderstood" (this response ironically, most people on the outside will understand)

11 | Left by Carl | Apr. 16, 2010 at 12:52pm


loving the cause. good work! my blog has deep inspirational poems if you care to check them out and also refer them to those who might benefit off of them. thanks!

www.skelii.com

12 | Left by Skelii | Apr. 16, 2010 at 1:38pm


Let them know that Jesus is alive and that he loves them and has a fantastic plan for them. Hope and a future, forgiveness and peace.

13 | Left by Mary Kay | Apr. 16, 2010 at 3:34pm


WOAH! FULL PAGE AD! Amazing! The only thing that I fear is that there are no words to tell anybody. I liked someone's idea above about giving everyone a hug. Maybe you could send telepathic hugs to everyone throught the ad.

14 | Left by Theh0pe | Apr. 17, 2010 at 5:42am


I think TWLOHA is doing a beautiful thing by helping the world heal. Everyone deals with something like this even if it is minor. But suicide is becoming an epidemic in today's society and the word needs to get put out there that we all need help. Everyone desereves a second chance at life,at feeling alive and twloha is giving that chance celebrating that hope for all to embrace. If you guys do get the chance to speak to 4 million people you'll also be givin the chance to open the hearts of those 4 million people. Love truely is the movement, spead the word. Rescue is possible.

15 | Left by Mindy | Apr. 17, 2010 at 6:13am


I'd say that even though things seem hopeless right now, it won't always be this way. That even though it hurts to be hugged, those hugs are the type of medicine you need to heal. That listening to others' words can replace the bandaids on your body. That hope truly is possible to find, and that you are strong simply from what you've been through. That your story deserves to be told, that there is a reason for what you've been through, and that even if that answer doesn't reveal itself now, or even anytime soon; someday, that answer will be seen, and you are fixable. Also, that scars remind of where we've been, they don't have to dictate where we're going.
But most of all, that you are loved.

16 | Left by Betsy | Apr. 19, 2010 at 8:19am


I think that 4million people should know that they should seek help for whatever theyre facing. That they are not alone and/or the only ones with such problems, that God has a plan for their lives rather they believe it or not. 4million people should know that they only have one life to live and all the time to make it what they want it to be.

17 | Left by SeanLeah | Apr. 20, 2010 at 3:56pm


I remeber stumbling on this site by accident. I was sruggling with so much at the time and I had shut everyone out, that includs god. I vowed I would never trust another person. I remeber reading the story of how TWLOHA got started and was overcome with tears.Reading the stories and comments of the people that work with this organization made me realize that people do give a dam and that god will always be there and he will never let go.That it is okay to let the people you love in and let them help. Some people think that one person telling someone they care will make a difference but it does. Let them know they are always loved and that they deserve life and that they have a right to tell their story. everyone has a right to feel loved and to be forgiven... to live life.

18 | Left by Julia | Apr. 20, 2010 at 7:17pm


TWLOHA inspires me every day, and this is a great opportunity to let people know about both IMalive and also just your vision in general. Everybody wants to feel loved and they look all kinds of places for it. A lot of the time they don't realise that they are loved already, so...

Just letting you know your past does not have to determine your future. No matter who you are your life is beautiful, even if it doesn’t look good from where you’re sitting. Sit somewhere else and change your perspective. Every breath is a second chance, every second an opportunity, so take them by the hand and live your life. You’re more loved than you’ll ever know. True.

19 | Left by Andrew | Apr. 24, 2010 at 8:15pm


I know first hand whats it's like to be depressed and sucidal. but lucky for me I had a friend save my life,literally, seconds before I was about to do it. Not a lot of people understand exactly what is going on in young peoples minds to make them think the way they do, they are always judging us, saying we are just dramatic or we are just teens we aren't depressed. But it's more thatn that and if more people can see that then they can stop judging and start helping. I wanna help alot with this program so if there is anything I can do let me know!!=]

20 | Left by Rebecca D. | Apr. 29, 2010 at 7:13pm


I discoverd TWLOHA on myspace, through truthbox a year ago in two months and they helped me out of my deepest darkest times in life. I am very thankful for the organization because they've helped me so much. I support them as much as I can and every chance i get. At my age, this doesnt come too easily though. My mother still needs convincing to buy me the band and shirts that i want because she doesnt really agree with me loving the organization. She knows that i had an issue with self-harm but doesnt accpet it, she thinks that i was simply following a trend. But honestly im thankful everyday for the people here and their help and their stories.

21 | Left by Kayla Russo | May. 13, 2010 at 9:23am


i found out about TWLOHA through a friend. I was in a rough patch of my life, then i read Renee's story, and it inspired me. I currently have 20 different TWLOHA shirts and 5 braclets. Four million people.. There all loved.. every single one.

22 | Left by Jenna | May. 2, 2011 at 7:01am

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