If you walk by Rebecca and David Cole’s house on Tremont Ave., you will find an encouraging word. Neighbors can see signs that say “Don’t Give Up,” “You Matter,” “Your Mistakes Don’t Define You,” “One Day At A Time” and “You Are Worthy Of Love.”
The signs come from Newburg, Oregon, where Amy Wolff made the decision to place 20 encouraging signs around her town after she learned of its high suicide rate. Inspired by the book “Love Does,” by Bob Goff, the Wolff family started a movement that now has signs in 37 states, 14 countries and five languages.
The Coles learned of the signs when Rebecca’s coworker purchased them for his neighborhood. He gave them away at the office, and she took several home. After just a couple days, cars stopped, people left thank you notes and the Coles began to share the signs with their neighbors.
One day, as David played outside with his children (they have four boys), a minivan stopped and backed up so the driver could get a better look at the sign. A woman exited the vehicle and told him how the signs gave her hope, and she gave him a big hug.
The couple lives close to Woodrow Wilson High School and J.L. Long Middle School, and many neighbors drive by on their way to and from school. She hopes the students are encouraged by the signs. “I know they were hard years for me,” she says.
The Wolffs don’t make any money on the endeavor. Signs, stickers, stamps, wrist bands, buttons and more can be purchased here.
