How The Story Becomes The Mission
NoResolve.org began with a song. When Dennis Liegghio was 14 years old he lost his father to suicide. For the next ten years, he blamed himself for his Dad’s death. Dennis struggled with depression, substance and alcohol abuse, never believing he would make it to his 25th birthday. In 2001, ten years after losing his father, he wrote and composed the song No Resolve, which finally opened the doors for him to begin healing the anger and sadness that had held him back for so long.
He then formed the Student Driver Band, recorded an album and began playing concerts throughout the Midwest. His mother delivered a copy of the album to Jean Larch, coauthor of Dying to Be Free a Healing Guide for Families after a Suicide (Cobain/Larch Hazelden 2006). Larch is also the coordinator of the Macomb County Survivors of Suicide Program in Michigan. She invited Dennis to visit the group and perform No Resolve. The performance was an emotionally intense, healing experience. Immediately, Dennis and Jean felt the song was reaching the people that it needed to reach. Dennis became more involved with the survivor programs, performing his song at groups and conferences. Later Jean would include the lyrics to "No Resolve" in the book (mentioned previously) that was coauthored with her close friend Bev Cobain.
In December of 2006, Dennis proposed an idea to Jean to pioneer a grand benefit for Suicide Prevention and Awareness. His dream envisioned a first class night of hope that included great food, great speakers, and most importantly, great music. It was imperative that the evening be a celebration of life and memory, a gathering that would help to remove the deadly stigma that is associated with suicide. The dream also included the creation of a soundtrack for the cause which indeed turned into reality... "Breaking the Silence, Vol. 1".
Work begun in January 2007. With the help of their friends, they formed the non-profit organization NoResolve.org. A website was built and hosted an online competition for bands that have been affected in some way by suicide or depression to submit their songs for a compilation CD. Nearly 200 songs from all over the world were submitted. Fourteen classics were selected and “Breaking The Silence, Vol. 1" was born.
For 10 months, the NoResolve.org committee rallied support, gathered donations and sponsorships. Contacts were made with the local media which helped to promote the event. On Saturday, November 17th 2007, over 500 people attended the event to show their support. When Keynote Speaker Bev Cobain asked the audience how many people had not been affected by suicide, only a dozen raised their hands. The night was as amazing as Dennis had dreamed it would be. Everyone involved knew that they were on the right track and this was an issue that desperately needed attention. Dennis had found his life's work.
NoResolve.org's goal is to raise awareness concerning suicide and depression through music, charitable events and educational programs. We believe that we can make a positive difference by supporting suicide prevention and postvention efforts in communities, along with offering hope and comfort to those who are left behind.
Our mission is Stopping Suicide, One Song at a Time.
So this is how you leave me, bleeding where I stand.
I've tried so hard to figure out, I've tried to understand.
What could have been so hopeless and so painful
That you felt it had to end.
What was that final puzzle piece, you couldn't get to fit?
Did you take a minute to stop and think
how we would deal with it?
There will be no answers to these questions,
We've got to carry on and try to live.
So goodbye, I can't believe you're gone.
So goodbye, Somehow I hope that you can hear this song.
Was there something that I could have done,
That might have changed your mind?
If I told you I love you and I need you here,
Would you still be alive?
And though I know it's not my fault,
I still carry all this guilt and shame inside.
So goodbye, I can't believe you're gone.
So goodbye, Somehow I hope that you can hear this song.
To this song, there is no ending.
For this pain, there's no resolve.
Time won't cover up the wounds
when you lose someone you love
If I could ask you one more thing,
I guess that I would ask you why?
So goodbye, I can't believe you're gone.
So goodbye, Somehow I hope that you can hear this song.
Words and music © 2001 Dennis Liegghio/Straight For The Rail Music
Performed and Recorded by Student Driver Band
