I found Holding of Wrist during a very dark time in my life. I was coming out of a tumultuous home situation as well as recovering from pretty severe sexual assault. I struggled with depression at its peak during that time, as well as the traditional feeling of being outcast in school. I was overweight and nerdy, my anger from my personal life showed at school and made me unapproachable. When I found Holding of Wrist, I really felt like it opened so many doors for me because it connected me with others who were struggling and didn’t judge eachother. I know it sounds cliché but it finally felt like a home away from home. I remember when Jimmy started it, it felt so small, but watching it grow over the years warms my heart in a way I can never explain. I still talk to several of the people I met through HOW, and it has ingrained in me a deep sense of purpose knowing that the pain of my past can be used to help me connect with others going through similar struggles, and if I can be there for someone else then that truly is the silver lining of what I’ve been through. Having a support network really makes a difference when you’re young and you think you’re alone. I can honestly say that I don’t know if I’d be here today if not for Jimmy and Holding of Wrist. When I say they saved my life, I don’t say it lightly. Watching Holding of Wrist grow is such an amazing thing, and I will support it until the day I die, which thanks to them will hopefully be a very long time from now.