Welcome

 THE FOUNDATION

Time to Tell Foundation was created to provide opportunities for trauma victims to share and tell their stories. Sponsored, in part, by Love Wins Publishing (LWP), the foundation offers writing and publishing scholarships and helps fund the trauma-themed anthologies managed by LWP. In addition, the foundation supports the Write to Heal program created by international, bestselling author Tanya DeFreitas.

THE MOVEMENT

In 2019, Tanya made the bold and courageous decision to publicly tell her story of overcoming suicide-attempt and sexual abuse. While her story held weight, it was not quite long enough to create an entire book, so Tanya invited other women who had overcome trauma to be a part of the book, thus creating an anthology. The book, Pretty Sad, was intended to be a single release, however shorty after being published, women from all over the world began reaching out to Tanya wanting to tell their stories.

Pretty Sad, the anthology, was released on February 2, 2019. Not long after, Pretty Sad, Volume II released on May 2, 2019. The #timetotell movement was birthed. One book developed into a series, releasing five volumes in the year 2019 and becoming a bestselling compilation. 

#Timetotell began as a freedom & healing movement. The premise is exposing secrets, uncovering hidden truths, and shedding light on abuse. Survivors of abuse and severe trauma are often encouraged and/or expected to keep silent about their experiences. Many are even threatened to never tell what happened. The #timetotell movement encourages survivors to speak up and speak out and in Tanya’s projects she provides a layer of protection to help survivors conceal their identity and still tell their truth.

Tanya is a survivor of domestic violence, sexual abuse, depression, suicide-attempt, and severe trauma. She kept her experiences secret from those closest to her for obvious reasons and for many years. As she matured, Tanya realized that the secrets were killing her from the inside out. 

Tanya believes that secrets are like cancer. They are an invasion to our lives and if left unexposed and unattended they will eventually spread, causing more damage and issues. Their mission is to kill. They kill dreams, they kill purpose, they kill families, and they kill people.

No more. It is #timetotell…the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. Tanya has purposed in her heart to tell her truth and to help as many women as possible share their stories of tragedy and triumph, from victim to victor! 

Not wanting to leave the men out or behind, Tanya’s husband, Rafael DeFreitas, Jr., also an international, bestselling author, helps men to tell their stories, too. Rafael, a survivor of trauma himself, led the first men’s anthology, Brutal Courage, in 2020. Eleven men stood strong and bold sharing their stories of overcoming trauma, including sexual abuse, failed relationships, racial profiling, incarceration, and more.