TWLOHA Turns 10

By Jamie TworkowskiFebruary 4, 2016

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On March 30, it will have been 10 years since our friend Jon Foreman wore the very first TWLOHA shirt on stage at a Switchfoot concert in Boca Raton. At the time, he was supporting a friend who was helping a friend. It would fast become a bigger thing, and not for any brilliance but because so many people could relate to the story of Renee Yohe. People felt a sense of permission in learning of the struggles of another. Maybe they could share theirs. Maybe they were not alone. And somehow now we’re closing in on 10 years. A decade of pointing to hope and help, a decade of breaking the silence.

We’re going to spend some time celebrating our journey and our history, the surprising open doors. We’ll look back and we’ll be thankful and we’ll also look ahead. And we’re definitely going to celebrate. Because if one person chose to stay alive, that is worth a celebration.

We’ll treat March 30 as our birthday, celebrating online with folks all over. We’ll do it in person a few nights later, Saturday, April 2, at the House of Blues in Orlando. The event will be an extra-special version of our HEAVY AND LIGHT format, “an evening of songs, conversation, and hope.” Everyone in the room will leave with a list of resources, people and places they can turn to for help.

Our friends Jon Foreman (of Switchfoot), Matt Wertz, and Renee Yohe (of Bearcat) will be there, along with spoken word poets Sierra DeMulder and Tonya Ingram.

10 Poster

Tickets are now available! We would love to see you on April 2 in Orlando.

A lot of people are already excited. We’ve heard from folks across America and around the world who are planning celebrate with us. Join the #TWLOHA10 conversation on Twitter and Instagram.

Finally, thanks for your incredible support. We are humbled and amazed when we look back at the last 10 years and this work we get to do. You’ve made that possible and we’re forever grateful.

Peace to You.

Jamie

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Comments (30)

  1. Natalie

    Is there any way you guys can come to L.A as well.

    Reply  |  
  2. Dave in Phoenix

    Ten years. Around eleven years of sobriety, a fog started to lift and my brain started to work right again. I’d just gotten into the habit of visiting my old friends (still in the life) and bragging about being clean and sober eleven years. Then I started hearing the still small voice deep down inside: “just because you’re clean and sober doesn’t make you right with God”. About 4 in the morning at my laptop I found an old friend from high school I hadn’t seen in years, another friend I used to get high with back when I first started- and what do ya know? He’s a preacher now. Still plays Electric Guitar, still has hair down to his butt. Reconnecting with this one friend through the internet started a whole chapter. Took me until the end of that year to realize part of the reason my “fog” lifted was because I’d been taken off a particular medication that’d started working against me. I was just watching “the movie” a little while ago, brought back memories from my first trip to the hospital. It would have been nice to have more supportive friends back then. I’m glad you guys are still around, for the next bunch. Cheers!

    Reply  |  
  3. Kate Siegwald

    I will see you on the second! I’m super excited, as it’ll be my second time seeing you, all my friends first times, and my birthday trip!! Super excited!!

    Reply  |  
  4. Carra

    I AM SO STOKED <3 Totally going to be flying in from Texas.

    Reply  |  
  5. Kelly Golway

    Is there a certain age? I turn 16 March 31st and I would love to go!

    Reply  |  
  6. Vanesa

    Hi I rote a letter and I can’t enter to that mail so please if you rite me back please rite to these agrees my name is vanesa from Bolivia

    Reply  |  
  7. Amber O.

    Is this venue/event appropriate for a near 13 year old? because I can’t think of anything else that could speak to her. I would love to bring her.

    Reply  |  
    1. Claire Biggs

      Hi Amber,

      This will be an all ages event. However, the House of Blues is a standing room only style event so your daughter might have trouble seeing the stage from many areas. Additionally, we cannot guarantee that they will be able to handle all that is talked about from the stage. Because of the issues we speak about, depending on the stories, the issues discussed and/or the language used by some of the musicians and speakers, we don’t know if it would all be appropriate for daughter. That, of course, is up to you but we did want to share that with you in advance.

      Please feel free to email [email protected] if you have any other questions!

      Reply  |  
  8. Verónica González

    Yo no tengo muchas palabras hoy, porque sólo parloteo como parte del disfraz que soy delante de todos. Hoy la película busque tu web y sólo estoy llorando gracias GRACIAS
    Hablar de mi es como desnudar el alma y no puedo hacerlo no se rendirme, solo se escaparme y no hay un lugar para escapar de mi! Ya no, siento que mi luz se apaga y que puedo dejar escurrir mi vida en mi familiar oscuridad, estoy tan lejos argentina es muy lejos de ustedes a veces hasta de mi también
    Gracias

    Reply  |  
  9. Vicky

    I know I’m just an other crazy girl… I left drogs & alcohol on my oun. And I still can’t vealive that I did it. Wen I saw her story and the help she get I started crying… and I feel that I still have all the pain inside of me, and I’m scared… I don’t want to heart my self again anymore… even when I know that nobody cares.. (sorry the bad english and the empty words, I speak spanish and to nobody)

    Reply  |  
    1. Claire Biggs

      Hi Vicky,

      Thank you so much for your message. We don’t want you to hurt yourself anymore either. We encourage you to speak to someone you trust – a friend or family member or member of your community – and let them know how you’re feeling.

      We also recommend you check out our FIND HELP resources here: https://twloha.com/find-help/local-resources/. You can also reach our team by emailing [email protected].

      Reply  |  
    2. Brittany

      Vicky, I don’t know you or your story (and my Spanish is no bueno). I do know one thing. You are not alone.
      Te amo ❤

      Reply  |  
  10. Christia

    this story is so powerful

    Reply  |  
  11. Christia

    Love:)

    Reply  |  
  12. lilian larrosa

    hola,soy lilian de Uruguay,Sudamerica.Acabo de terminar de ver la pelicula por HBO…sin palabras…absolutamente real y conmovedora,al comienzo senti tanto miedo frente a esa poderosa realidad que es la oscuridad,sea cual sea la forma en que se presente…tantas veces nos hace dudar!! pero la esperanza y la luz son igualmente poderosas!!! cada uno desde su lugar eligiendo y trabajando protegiendo este misterio maravilloso que es la vida. Gracias,gracias,no se detengan nunca!!! abrazos

    Reply  |  
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  16. Vincent Rosa

    It would be so great to see this more in Hawaii! This group has helped me so much! Be awesome to see it in action one day!

    Reply  |  
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  25. Kimberly Davis

    Wondering if Heavy and Light will be back to a January event for 2017? Thanks!!

    Reply  |  
    1. Claire Biggs

      Hi Kimberly,

      We haven’t officially announced the date yet, but it will be on April 1, 2017!

      Reply  |  
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