It was March of 2006, and alternative-rock outfit Switchfoot have just made a name for themselves in the secular music market with their hit “Dare You To Move.” Stepping on to a stage at Florida Atlantic University, lead singer Jon Foreman is wearing a crisp white tee with black lettering across the front. The words say, “TO WRITE LOVE ON HER ARMS,” and they are captured in photos and on video, but most importantly in people’s hearts. In the days of MySpace, people quickly find out the meaning of these words. It’s not a brand, a band or a catchy phrase; it’s the title of a story. In fact, it’s the title of an essay a sales rep from Melbourne Beach, FL penned about a friend struggling with depression, addiction and self-injury. Her name was Renee, and every t-shirt sold would help fund her rehabilitation. The story had already gone viral on the internet, and with the face of Switchfoot behind it, the story (and the shirt) redefined how bands do good.
TWLOHA continued to rise in popularity, and soon it became a non-profit. 8 Years later, the organization has continued to bridge the gap between the music we love, and the pain we feel. Switchfoot is still one of the most well-known reps for TWLOHA, an organization which now more broadly brings hope and help to people walking through depression, addiction, self-injury and suicide. In fact, if you watch…show more content… It is difficult to explain what we are feeling in depression- yet music has shown us what it looks like. It can be challenging to ask for help- but some of our favorite musicians have shown us that it is okay to be vulnerable. And sometimes, when we can’t understand life at all, music has been there to comfort us and show us we have a place in the
