Q. What does "FAQ" mean?
A. Frequently Asked Questions.
A: To Write Love on Her Arms is a non-profit 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 also to invest directly into treatment and recovery.
Q: How did TWLOHA start?
A: To Write Love on Her Arms began in Orlando, FL in February 2006 as a (written) story, the true story of five days spent with a friend who was denied entry into a drug treatment center. The story was a look at those five days, and the t-shirts were printed and sold initially as a way to pay for our friend's treatment.
Q: So, are you guys a non-profit organization?
A: TWLOHA, Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3) organization. Tax ID number 26-0789229.
A. Frequently Asked Questions.
General
Q: What is To Write Love on Her Arms?A: To Write Love on Her Arms is a non-profit 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 also to invest directly into treatment and recovery.
Q: How did TWLOHA start?
A: To Write Love on Her Arms began in Orlando, FL in February 2006 as a (written) story, the true story of five days spent with a friend who was denied entry into a drug treatment center. The story was a look at those five days, and the t-shirts were printed and sold initially as a way to pay for our friend's treatment.
Q: So, are you guys a non-profit organization?
A: TWLOHA, Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3) organization. Tax ID number 26-0789229.
Q: Where does the name/title “To Write Love on Her Arms” come from?
A: It is the title of the story Jamie wrote about Renee. It is posted on our official website. www.twloha.com
Q: How is Renee doing now?
A: She is still in Florida, doing really well. She is healthy, and her recovery is something she'll continue to walk through for the rest of her life. We are very proud of her. She has published a book of her journal writings, Purpose for the Pain. She is an incredible, gifted person and we believe beyond her story, and beyond TWLOHA, that she will inspire and encourage others for the rest of her life.
Q: Is TWLOHA a “Christian” organization?
A: We feel that the story (and the rest of this project) speaks for itself. Identifying something such as a band, store, venue or project as "Christian" often alienates those outside of the church/Christian culture, and we don't want to do that. TWLOHA aims to be inclusive and inviting. This is a project for all people. This is a project for broken people, and it is led by broken people.
For more on this topic, please consider the book Blue Like Jazz by Donald Miller, as well as the words of U2's Bono, Switchfoot's Jon Foreman, Thrice's Dustin Kensrue, and Anberlin's Stephen Christian.
Financial/Donations
Q: Where does the money go?
A: TWLOHA gives a large portion of all proceeds to treatment and recovery through the organizations listed below. You can also view our financials here. Beyond that, we believe that all the work we do is important. We have a small full-time staff of 12, and also interns who respond to MySpace messages and emails everyday. That's the heart of what we do. That's the most important piece; it is the interaction and being in a place to encourage people who are hurting. In so many cases, those are folks talking about these issues, sharing their struggles, asking for help, for the very first time. To us, it's a privilege that we get to respond to those messages. We get opportunities to speak and be a part of different concerts, tours, events, etc. Warped Tour is a huge example of how this happens. We're starting to focus more on our Street Team, UChapters, MOVE Conferences, counseling scholarships, and other ways we can equip people. We don't just want to give them tools to promote TWLOHA. We want to educate and encourage people so that they understand these issues, so they can walk with friends who are dealing with these things.
National Hopeline Network (1-800-SUICIDE) - WWW.HOPELINE.COM/
The National Hopeline is a non-profit organization that fights suicide at the front lines. Their toll-free call line is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and links the caller to the nearest crisis hotline in their area. To date, they have received over 2 million calls from individuals struggling with thoughts of suicide.
S.A.F.E. Alternatives is a nationally recognized treatment approach, professional network and educational resource base, which is committed to helping you and others achieve an end to self-injurious behavior."
IM Alive: In the Fall of 2009 we partnered with Kristen Brooks Hope Center to begin work on the first ever online crisis counseling program. For more info check out AliveIM.org
Kids Help Line (Australia) - WWW.KIDSHELP.COM.AU / 1-800-55-1800
Offers free, confidential, anonymous 24-hour phone and online counseling for young people (5-25) in Australia.
INDIA: In January 2007, three of us traveled to Kolkata, India as part of a group to experience the work being done in the fight against human slavery. We partnered with two different organizations, and as part of our commitment to the children we met and the work we experienced.
Apne Aap – WWW.APNEAAP.ORG
Sanlaap – WWW.SANLAAPINDIA.ORG
Q: Can I donate to TWLOHA?
A: Sure, that would help so much. Please visit the MOVE section of our website for information on how to do so.
Getting More Involved
Q: What can I do to help, or how can I get involved?
A: Please check out the MOVE section of our website for a list of all the ways to get involved, but more than anything, we encourage you to learn what it means to live an honest life and to walk with people who are hurting.
Q: What is the Street Team?
A: The Street Team is a place for our supporters to network and gain tools to help spread the word about TWLOHA. Through forums and membership groups users are able to communicate with other supporters. By completing promotion tasks, Street Team members earn points to move up in rank and store credit for free merchandise. You can sign up at towriteloveonherarms.fancorps.com
Q: How can I volunteer for at an event?
A: Any volunteer opportunities we have will be available through our Street Team. Check out the Move section of the website for more information.
Q: How do I start a TWLOHA group or club in my area?
A: If you attend a college or university, please contact chapters@twloha.com for more information on how to start a TWLOHA UChapter in your area. At this time we are not opening high school or community groups. We love the idea of eventually being in a position to do this, but we want do a great job with what we have right now before we jump into something new. Thanks so much for caring and for wanting to help.
Q: How can I work at TWLOHA?
A: TWLOHA is smaller than you think. Our team, that is. We don’t have any openings for paid positions at the moment. We do, however, have an intern program. Please check out the MOVE section of our website, or e-mail us at intern@twloha.com.
Events/Shows
Q: Will you guys come speak at my event?
A: TWLOHA is always open to the possibility of coming to your event. Please have an official representative email booking@twloha.com if you are interested in having us come out. Thank you for your support.
Q: When are you coming to my town?
A: We do our best to come to as many places as possible through tours and speaking events, but we are a small team. Please check our calendar to see where we'll be next.
Band Support
Q: What can my band do to help?
A: Band support has so much to do with the TWLOHA story and the growth we’ve experienced from the beginning. You can post a banner on your MySpace, put TWLOHA in your Top Friends, post bulletins and blogs, talk about TWLOHA from the stage, tell your friends, etc. Most of all, take care of the people around you. Your friends and fans are family.
Fundraising/Logos/Legal
Q: Can I use the name “To Write Love On Her Arms” for my Benefit or Fundraiser?
A: Please email benefit@twloha.com for more information on how to put on benefit for TWLOHA.
Q: Can I make my own TWLOHA t-shirt?
A: All of TWLOHA phrases and logos are copyrighted materials of TWLOHA. We understand that a lot of this seems trivial, but we do not want you to find yourself in a potentially compromising position.
Public Relations/Media
Q. How do I interview someone from TWLOHA?
A. For all press inquiries, please contact Dayna Ghiraldi at Big Picture Media Dayna@bigpicturemediaonline.com
Q: Can I send in some of my creative works?
A: Sure! We love to see these kinds of things. Please feel free to email them to us at info@twloha.com
Q: Can you please post my story on your website?
A: We are currently working on developing a place for stories to be posted. We want this to be a safe place for everyone-that is non-triggering. At TWLOHA we believe in honest conversation, and sharing stories is a huge part of that. Thank you for wanting to open your heart to everyone.
Merch
Q: I have a question about my t-shirt order. Who can I talk to about that?
A: Please email your questions and/or order info to questions@zambooie.com
Q: Can I please sell your t-shirts at my school?
A: Thank-you for wanting to get more involved with the organization. We appreciate your interest in wanting to sell TWLOHA shirts, however at this time, we are not able to have other people sell our merchandise for us.
Q: Do you ship merchandise internationally?
A: Yes! For shipping costs please contact Zambooie at questions@zambooie.com
Q: If I don't have a credit card where else can I purchase merch?
A: That's okay! Our merchandise is available in Hot Topic and Zumiez stores nationwide as well as Ron Jon's Surf Shop. For other forms of payment in our online store please e-mail questions@zambooie.com
Q: Do we carry XXL and XXXL shirts?
A: Yes! We are in the process of getting 2XL and 3XL in our shirts up in the store. Please email questions@zambooie.com about ordering 2XL and 3XL t-shirts.
