Knowing how important it is to spread kindness, some young people are striving to make a positive impact in the community. One such group is Actively Caring for People (AC4P), made up of students from Independence High School. For the past three years, AC4P has organized fundraisers and campaigns to spread positivity within the school.
Out of Darkness
AC4P is currently led by High School Counselor Kyle Kovach. In May, the students hosted an Out of Darkness Walk to raise awareness and money for suicide prevention. “Independence has personally felt the effects suicide can have on a community and school district, so the students thought the Out of Darkness walk was a great opportunity to bring awareness, raise funds and try to build a climate of understanding and compassion.”
This was the second year the club hosted the walk. Not only did they have more participants, they doubled the amount of money raised for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
Recent Independence graduate Reece Wright was inspired to get involved with AC4P because of the Out of Darkness Walk. “I felt very strongly that encouraging mental wellness and increasing awareness by having public events was a key step toward combating mental health issues,” Wright says.
Throughout the school year, AC4P sponsored various activities to promote compassion and positivity. On Halloween, they passed out candy with uplifting messages. During the winter holidays, students shared hot cocoa with classmates. On Valentine’s Day, they posted heart-shaped messages on lockers. The AC4P students believe these gestures can significantly impact someone’s day or even change their perspective on life.
Last year, AC4P experienced a steady increase in the number of students attending their meetings. At the beginning of the year, a small group of five or six students participated. That eventually blossomed to more than 30 students across all grade levels.
As AC4P enters its fourth year, the group is excited to keep growing. AC4P volunteered to help with the Freshman Festival for incoming ninth graders. “The students want to create something to show the new freshmen they’re accepted,” says Kovach. “They want to be the people who will show them around the school.”
For Kovach, it’s essential to be flexible and allow students to take on leadership roles, because they are the ones who know what issues need to be addressed. “I’m so proud we have these students who want to make a change,” he says. “The hardest thing for students to do is to stand up and say, ‘We want to change things or bring people together.’ The easiest thing to do is nothing.”
Meet the Difference Makers
Recent graduates Drew Straub and Reece Wright discuss the impact of AC4P.
Q: Why did you decide to get involved with Actively Caring for People?
Drew: I saw the devastation that a toxic school climate can cause. I wanted to contribute to changing that so no future student has to deal with a peer losing their life to suicide.
Q: What was most meaningful about being a part of AC4P?
Drew: Seeing the passion from people of all different backgrounds and ages to exact change in our community. It’s a really hopeful experience to work with a diverse group with a common goal.
Q: Do you have a favorite memory related to working with AC4P?
