Welcome to ELCO Cares!

Access our promotional video here, and/or read our script to learn more about ELCO Cares!

We hope our vision inspires you to serve and turn outwards, and encourages an atmosphere of positivity into the ELCO School District! Watch our promotional video below!

Visit our About and Background pages to learn more about the inspiration for ELCO Cares, and how to submit your story!

Script:

“Be kind, for everyone is fighting a battle you know nothing about.” This quote, by Wendy Mass, shows an essential mindset. In society today, people are constantly judging others based off of their appearance and their actions, however, sometimes we get so caught up in observing that we don’t realize what could be causing someone to act the way they do. For example, a student who constantly misbehaves may be seeking negative attention at school because they are neglected at home. Or, a girl who is admired by others for her kind attitude towards everyone may appear to have a perfect life, when in reality, her seemingly constant state of happiness is a cover up for how worthless she feels, and she treats others kindly so they don’t have to feel the same way. Unfortunately, these types of situations are becoming increasingly common, and this leads me to my topic: depression rates, negativity, and self centered mindsets rising in teenagers, and how this is affected by social media and usage of electronics.

Social media encourages teenagers to not only think more about themselves, but to view themselves through the skewed stereotypes and twisted values of society, and to stress about what others might think of them. Joined with other factors in teenagers’ lives, these lead to some teens being depressed, others pessimistic, and some self centered. These negative attitudes are not only harmful to teens emotional health, but they also cause them to have a negative outlook on life, seeing the negatives instead of the positives--and these attitudes only lead to unhappiness. In the report, “Major Depression: The Impact on Overall Health,” it even stated that between 2013 and 2016, depression rates rose approximately 47% in male adolescents, and 65% in females. This is a very serious problem with teenagers today, and the magnitude of this issue may seem overwhelming, though there are still many ways to combat depression and negativity, and I would like to focus on one: turning outwards. One way to become happier is to lift others through service. When one continually focuses on themselves and their problems, which, don’t get me wrong, may be completely legitimate, they can become weighed down. In the book “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens,” author Sean Covey states “I remember reading a statement by a psychiatrist who said that if you ever feel depressed, the best thing to do is help someone else. Why? Because it gets you focused outward, not inward. It’s hard to be depressed while serving someone else. Ironically, a byproduct of helping others is feeling wonderful yourself.” As Covey states, turning outwards is a way to take one’s attention off of one’s problems, allowing them to not only lift others, but lift themselves in the process.

I believe that turning outwards is so important, because it will not only bring happiness to those around you, but it will make you happier as well. I would like to challenge ELCO students who watch this video to look outside yourselves, to reach out to others in service, and create a more supportive and happier environment by turning outwards and lifting others, and I guarantee that if you do this, you will feel happier yourself. I also believe that hearing about your service will inspire others, and it should definitely be shared. With all of the negative news in the world, we should contribute as much positivity as we can. If you have taken up the challenge, or already do volunteer work or service in your life, I am creating a website highlighting the service of ELCO students--please send me a description of your service, how it shifted your perspective or what you got out of it, and a picture of you doing it at elcocares@gmail.com, or visit http://dl2019414.wixsite.com/elcocares. It can include missions trips, any volunteer work, or any acts of service. Please join me in making ELCO a happier, more caring environment!