Serving Humanity From the Underground Up
Network Of gothics Helping Humanity
Journal created:
on 30 April 2006 (#10138395)
Updated:
on 6 December 2012
Name:
Goth Help Us
Website:
Membership:
Open
Posting Access:
All Members , Moderated
 History "Goth Help Us" started out like any other organization; with a simple idea. During a conversation with a depressed friend, president and founder, Rebecca Hohm, said they needed a cause. They needed to get out of the house, and go help someone else because that is the only true way to feel better about one's self. They had also been discussing how they were truly bothered by the world's misconception that "gothic people are abnormal individuals who look scary." From that simple conversation, Goth Help Us was born. Hohm wanted it to be an organization of gothics helping humanity; therefore hopefully changing the world's attitude toward the gothic community in general. According to Hohm, the gothic lifestyle is totally misunderstood. She said, "Yes, they might wear black and look unique, but passion is their primary motivator! Gothics are passionate about everything, even embracing death as a part of life." She said that in her experience she has found that "the gothic community is full of creative individuals who are motivated by love more than anything else. They are dancers, poets, musicians, artists, and free-thinkers." "Do you think it's easy to look gothic? It's non-stop maintenance!" she laughs. "Gothic people spend hours getting ready to go out. Their make-up, hair, and clothing is perfect. A normal person has no ability to pull this look off...only an artist can do it." Hohm continued, "Average people will give you the shirt off their backs to help others when asked, but goths will give you their whole wardrobe, let you move in, and feed you, too." She says the charitable nature of gothics is what originally drew her to the scene in the first place. "Their compassion is unlike any other sect of people know, and I am proud to be one of them." she concluded. The slogans, "Serving humanity from the underground up," "Turning darkness into light," and "Opening closed minds" were born during that initial conversation. They have become Goth Help Us mottos and the organization is now working tirelessly to achieve them. Mission Statement Gothics wish not to be feared; only understood. Goth Help Us is simply about serving humanity worldwide and changing perception through charitable action. Dedication Rebecca Hohm dedicates the entire Goth Help Us organization to a girl named Alice with a last name she never knew. In 1984, Rebecca was 16 and in high school. She decided to participate in an all night dance for muscular dystrophy. While dancing that night, she noticed a teen girl sitting at a nearby table that was physically deformed and very tiny. She went over to her and sat down and talked to the girl. She found out that the girl's name was Alice, and eventually asked her why she wasn't dancing. The girl looked down at her body and said, "I can't because I have spinal bifida. I wish I could dance more than anything though." Rebecca told her that with her help, she could dance if she wanted to. Alice's eyes lit up and she said,"YES!!" Rebecca kneeled down and Alice climbed on her back. Rebecca stood up with her on her back, in a "piggy-back" style. Rebecca ran to the dance floor and began to dance. Alice hung on for dear life as Rebecca twirled around. The more Rebecca danced, the more Alice cheered and laughed. They danced the night away, both having a wonderful time. At the end of the all-night dance, Alice hugged Rebecca tight and thanked her for helping her dance for the first time. Rebecca fought back the tears because she did not realize that something so simple could bring someone so much joy. Alice and Rebecca unfortunately never saw each other again, yet Rebecca never forgot her. Rebecca was forever changed that night. Helping people became her life's goal.
 ">  |