#intern bios

[twloha]

Meet Nate.

Stuff  Like: Fonts. Tea. Coffee. Basketball. Blues & Folk music. Gratitude. I’m the kind of person who loves to sit down with you and have a conversation at the local coffee shop — but I could talk to you about graphic design for hours, so beware!

Why I’m Here: My sister ignited my passion for mental health. In the last few years, she has struggled, and it was a big catalyst for both my awareness of the issues surrounding mental health and my compassion for those with similar struggles. I am here because I have a passion for helping people and letting them know that while life will never be perfect, they will never be alone.

I would most likely stuff the office fridge with: Iced Green Tea and leftover pizza (if there is any left over).

If my music is on, I’m most likely listening to: If I’m feeling bluesy, Gary Clark Jr., John Mayer Trio, or B.B. King. Otherwise, it’s a singer-songwriter. I’m really digging Beck’s latest album right now.

Outside of the office, I’m most likely: Reading, designing, or borrowing another intern’s longboard to get coffee.

If you had a free plane ticket, where would you go? New Zealand. Middle Earth, baby!

[twloha]

Meet Mariah.

Stuff Ilike: Words and music that make me feel alive, tattoos, stargazing, long drives with no planned destination, T-shirts, songs from years ago, psychology, out-of-context quotes, inspiring quotes, pretty letters, Oprah chai tea lattes at Starbucks, The Giving Keys, more tattoos, flower crowns (even though I rarely wear them. I like the idea of flower crowns), flower prints, and Satchel’s Pizza. 

Why I’m here: I’ve watched TWLOHA change both my life and the lives of so many people I know. It’s the reason I chose to study psychology and the reason I want to become a mental health counselor. I want to do whatever I can to give back to this organization and all of the other people who are trying to start honest conversations in their own communities.

I would most likely stuff the office fridge with: Pasta, pasta, pasta. And those little frozen meals that take like four minutes to make in the microwave.

If my music is on, I’m most likely listening to: Spotify’s “Your Favorite Coffeehouse” or “Deep Focus” playlists, or my long drive playlist (which consists of almost 24 hours of music, ranging from Tom Petty to You+Me to Anberlin).

Outside of the office, I’m most likely: Writing about my day, collecting quotes online, Googling cat pictures, or looking for a random destination for my next drive.

If you could be best friends with anyone, who would it be and why? Stacy London. Maybe she could teach me how to not wear a T-shirt every day! And she seems like a pretty awesome individual.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why? I would love to be able to teleport. It would be awesome to travel a lot without spending hours in a car or a plane. I know and love people all over the country (and the world), and I’d like to be able to visit people more often!

The deadline for to apply for our Summer 2015 term is this Friday (Feb. 20)!! Apply now: http://twloha.com/intern-program

[twloha]

Meet Rachel

Stuff I Like: Airports and airplanes, rainy days, ocean waves, cheese, Jon Foreman, playing with my baby cousins, wolves, the ‘man bun,’ San Francisco, and dreaming about all the places I want to visit.

Why I’m Here: TWLOHA is talking about things that so desperately need to be acknowledged but are often left unsaid. TWLOHA has been a source of comfort and hope for me in dark times, and it is the greatest gift to be able to pass that on to others who need it. Aaron Moore said it best: “The hope is that people will think, ‘If those people online understand, then maybe there’s people down my street that understand.’” I want people to know that this is true.

I would most likely stuff the office fridge with: Cans of seltzer, hummus, and lots of restaurant leftovers because I go out to eat too much!

If my music is on, I’m most likely listening to: Switchfoot, Matt Corby, Foo Fighters, the Goo-Goo Dolls, or some kind of early 2000’s Pandora.

Outside of the office, I’m most likely: In the ocean, reading a book, sleeping, writing in my journal, or taking spontaneous trips to Buffalo Wild Wings with the other interns.

If you could be best friends with anyone, who would it be and why? Ezra Miller. I admire the way he thinks and speaks, and I love that he is so unapologetically quirky, goofy, and all-around adorable.

What takes you out of your comfort zone? Living with 7 other interns takes me out of my comfort zone. But I’m experiencing community in a way I never have before, and I’m so thankful for that.

[twloha]

Meet Sam

Stuff I Like: I love to laugh. Bright colors. Going out to eat makes me happy. Visiting new places. Going on new adventures. Tea. Cooking. Baking. I have an obsession with people who can sing! 

Why I’m Here: I believe in TWLOHA’s mission. I love TWLOHA’s aim to spread hope and find help for those who are suffering. I don’t want to be on this earth to just simply exist but to make a change. I want to make a difference in my community and provide hope to those that are around me.

I would most likely stuff the office fridge with: leftovers from my dinner the previous night.

If my music is on, I’m most likely listening to: Gospel, 90s Hip Hop, R&B, and Reggae.

Outside of the office, I’m most likely: Going for a walk around my neighborhood and relaxing near the beach or river. Talking on the phone, journaling, reading, and hopefully I will start exercising again!

If you could be best friends with anyone, who would it be and why? I would be best friends with chef Ramsay so I could eat at all of his restaurants for free!

If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why? I would love to fly because it would be nice to go back home from time to time to see my family and friends. Oh, and I hate traffic!

[twloha]

Meet Elyse

Stuff I Like: Donuts, cats, blank notebooks, New Year’s Eve, my little brother, spoken word poetry, camping, airports, summer, anything vanilla-scented, bonfires, camo, writing, naps, planners, stick shift cars, card games, country music, long drives, oversized sweatshirts, apple orchards, corn mazes, Jesus, Michigan, the Detroit Lions, and my fiancé.

Why I’m Here: I’m here because I believe in TWLOHA, and I wanted to be a part of something bigger than myself. I’m at this weird limbo stage of life where I graduated last month and am getting married at the end of May, so I wanted to do something with the in-between time, and I wanted it to be something I’m passionate about. I’ve seen the impact TWLOHA has had on so many people, and I wanted to be a part of bringing the message of hope and healing to others.

I would most likely stuff the office fridge with: Donuts and Dr. Pepper.

If my music is on, I’m most likely listening to: Fall Out Boy, Mayday Parade, Sam Hunt, Dierks Bentley, Pentatonix, Eminem, Bethel Live, Hillsong, Taylor Swift, or You Me At Six.

Outside the office, I’m most likely: Attending an open mic night, playing with any cat I see, Skyping my family back home, playing cards with my fellow interns, watching too much Netflix, or, more recently, having a love/hate relationship with wedding planning.

If you had a free plane ticket, where would you go? New Zealand. I spent a summer there when I was 14, and I’ve always wanted to go back.

If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why? The ability to control time, so that I could watch an entire series on Netflix and not waste a single minute. And so that I could get a ridiculous amount of stuff done.

What takes you out of your comfort zone? Being around new people or trying new things that I know I won’t be good at right away.

Want to be one of our #TWLOHAInterns? Apply for our summer 2015 term here: http://twloha.com/intern-program

[twloha]

Meet Allie.

Stuff I Like: I love music, chocolate, road trips, the colors purple and teal, hugs, making art, and coffee. I’m currently reading Game of Thrones, I have seen every episode of Friends way too many times, and I can tie-dye anything.

Why I’m Here: To Write Love on Her Arms has been an important part of my life for a long time. In college, I became really involved through UChapters, and the rest is history! Working at an organization where the work we do is genuinely helping people all over the world every single day is such an amazing opportunity, and I am so grateful to everyone who has made my journey here possible.

I would most likely stuff the office fridge with: Macaroni and cheese, sushi, gelato, and sweet tea.

If my music is on, I’m listening to: Fall Out Boy, Walk The Moon, Ed Sheeran, Brand New, The 1975, Bootstraps, The Beatles, Twenty One Pilots, The Format, Bastille, Passenger, Arctic Monkeys, Passion Pit, or Bleachers.

Outside of the office, I’m most likely: Photographing concerts, watching movies, planning our next kayaking trip, and posting a million Instagram photos.

If you had a free plane ticket, where would you go? I want to go on a thousand adventures, but if I have to pick just one place I would love to revisit the Scottish highlands where my family is from.

If you had a superpower, which would it be? Why? Teleportation - you could travel anywhere instantly!

[twloha]

Meet Molly.

Stuff I Like: Spending time with my nephew and my family, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, evening conversations on the porch watching the stars with people I love, reading, the TV shows Friends and New Girl, cooking for people, psychology, inspirational quotes and song lyrics, when a song comes on that describes exactly how you’re feeling, and my sister’s super lame jokes.

Why I’m Here: I connect with the words this organization shares and the work they do. I am here because I believe in the power of people and community. I believe that every individual has a ripple effect in this world that extends farther than they could ever imagine. We all play a part in creating a place where people can be open and honest about what they are experiencing. I believe we can create a culture that doesn’t stigmatize people for taking care of themselves, and I want to be a part of that conversation.  I want my ripple effect to be one that reminds people hope is alive inside of us all, one that moves people to follow their hearts and encourages people to fight through even the most difficult of times.

I would most likely stuff the office fridge with: Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, mac & cheese, Pepsi, an assortment of cheese, and pizza.

If my music is on, I’m listening to: Noah Gundersen, Blink 182, Angels & Airwaves, Paramore, or Matt Nathanson.

Outside of the office, I’m most likely: Hanging out with my fellow interns/housemates, working on homework, cooking, trying to learn interesting things about psychology, and usually procrastinating on the homework I should be doing by scrolling through Facebook.

If you had a superpower, which would it be? Why? If I could have any superpower I would chose mind reading. I think it would be interesting to be able to know exactly what another person was feeling or thinking when they don’t have the words to explain. Or the power to teleport because traffic infuriates me.

What takes you out of your comfort zone? Driving in large cities, reckless behavior, when things are really unorganized, having someone’s feet anywhere near me, and being in unfamiliar places.

[twloha]

Meet Chris.

Stuff I Like: Kelly Clarkson, napping, coffee, lots and lots of coffee, driving around aimlessly, concert going, chips and salsa, laughing, making people laugh, and have I mentioned coffee?

Why I’m Here: TWLOHA has given me so much inspiration and hope in my life, and I wanted to be able to give back and show my appreciation for everything they do.

I would most likely stuff the office fridge with: Dr Pepper, pierogies, leftover pizza, mac and cheese, and pumpkin pie.

If my music is on, I’m listening to: Kelly Clarkson, The Daylights, Patty Griffin, Ryan Adams, Adele, Sara Bareilles, Jill and Kate, Kodaline, Andrew Belle, Matthew Perryman Jones, The Fray, Birdy, Ray LaMontagne, Jeff Buckley, Pink, The Civil Wars, Kings of Leon and Maroon 5.

Outside of the office, I’m most likely: At Starbucks.

What takes you out of your comfort zone? Large crowds and public speaking.

Who is your dream BFF? Emily Tworkowski