Amy Wolff, founder of the Don't Give Up movement, shares her journey of transforming a small family project into a global initiative that spreads hope through uplifting yard signs. She discusses the profound impact of simple, kind messages on mental health and community well-being. Inspiring stories highlight how these signs have helped individuals confront challenges like depression and loss. Wolff also debunks myths about the significance of small acts of kindness, emphasizing their role in driving meaningful change.
Amy Wolff's grassroots project transformed into a global movement demonstrates how simple acts of kindness can inspire significant societal change.
The myths surrounding small acts of kindness and individual responsibility highlight the importance of personal action in fostering community support.
Deep dives
The Genesis of a Global Movement
In response to alarming suicide rates in her community, Amy Wolf and her family initiated a grassroots effort by placing 20 yard signs around Newburgh, Oregon, bearing uplifting messages such as 'You are worthy of love' and 'Don't give up'. Motivated by a desire to create positive change, they transformed their small project into a nonprofit organization called Don't Give Up, which has since spread their message to all 50 states and 26 countries. The initial act of kindness sparked widespread community interest, leading to the establishment of a website and partnerships with graphic designers to create more signs. This movement illustrates how simple acts of love and encouragement can resonate deeply and catalyze a larger societal impact, highlighting the power of kind words in addressing mental health issues.
The Role of Kindness in Healing
The signs embody a philosophy that promotes no-strings-attached kindness, as seen in the heartfelt stories shared by those who encountered the messages during their most difficult moments. Amy recalls a young man who, struggling with addiction, saw a sign stating 'Your mistakes don’t define you', which inspired him to seek help and enroll in rehab. Similarly, a woman in an abusive relationship found courage through the message 'You are worthy of love', ultimately leading her to leave the situation. These narratives emphasize that kind words can serve as powerful reminders of hope, often providing the crucial encouragement needed for individuals to take proactive steps towards improving their lives.
Myths of Making a Difference
Amy Wolf discusses three prevalent myths that often hinder individuals from taking action to effect change in the world. The first myth is the belief that small acts are insignificant; however, Amy emphasizes that even minor gestures of kindness can have profound effects and contribute to larger movements. The second myth suggests that someone else will take care of issues, which can lead to complacency, but individual actions are vital in addressing community needs. Lastly, the idea that people are too busy to help fails to acknowledge the simple interactions, such as sending a kind note or checking in on a neighbor, that can create meaningful connections and foster communal support.
All over the world, mysterious signs have been popping up. They say messages like: “Don’t give up.” “You are worthy of love.” “Your mistakes don’t define you.” Today we’re introducing you to the woman behind these messages and the global movement: Amy Wolff. One weekend in 2017, Amy and her family anonymously staked in yards in their small town of Newberg, Oregon. They had just learned of suicide rates in their town and wanted to find a way to encourage community members. Little did they know that their project would turn into a global movement featured on Good Morning America, Yahoo, the Washington Post, NowThis, and on countless other media.
Within days, Amy incorporated Don’t Give Up as a nonprofit, and products (which the organization sells at-cost) have shipped to all 50 U.S. states and 26 countries, including the Philippines, Rwanda, Costa Rica, and Zambia. Now the movement serves more than as a response to suicide — it’s also a comforting cancer patients, those enduring the loss of a loved one, and those recovering from sexual assault and inspiring people to have the courage to leave abusive relationships or overcome addiction.
In this episode, Wolff tells the story of her neighborhood-project-turned-worldwide-movement and reminds us of the power of simple, kind words at the right place at the right time for the right person.