Hey, Elkhart County Teens!

We’re here to celebrate you and your crazy good decision-making. 

What’s PEC and Why Should I Care?

Positively Elkhart County is a program that celebrates all the good choices you are making every day. And how do we know you’re making good choices? Simple. We ask you.

We make it our job to understand what you think your peers are doing and thinking (perceptions) and what you are actually doing in real life (reality). We know when teens understand what’s REAL, they make choices based on the REAL.

 

Why is this important?

Most times, perceptions are wrong. For example, we hear all the time that all teens are vaping. In reality MOST Elkhart County teens are NOT vaping. In fact, over 9 out of 10 Elkhart County teens have not vaped in the past month. Go figure!?

 

How do you know what we (teens) think?

Simple. We ask you. Every two years, you have the chance to take a survey at school. This survey is anonymous and voluntary. We gather information from teens across the county about what they think other teens are doing/thinking and what they are actually doing. 

We also ask questions about what you think and what you do every time we see you! That’s right! We’re very curious about what you think and believe.

Then we tell everyone the results. It’s our goal to break myths and misconceptions about teens in Elkhart County. When you answer our little surveys, you help us celebrate the good!

So what’s next?

Join our Text Club

Want to know where we are and when we’re giving out something awesome? The easiest way to keep in touch is to join the text club. Simply point your phone to the QR code and hit send! Easy.

Find us at Lunch

Every week we visit teens at their school during lunch. We usually have a question that we’re curious about and some swag to give you. Want to know where you can find us? Check our social media or our calendar!

See us at the Game

We love to hang out at sporting events, band concerts, and other school events. It gives us a chance to visit with you without being rushed. We are usually there with fun things like gift cards and other goodies. Be sure to say “hi”!

Search for us in the Community

We love to pop up where you least expect us! You may see us at a First Friday, Night Out Against Crime, a Health Fair, or at the 4-H Fair.  We want everyone to know what good choices you’re making!

Join our Text Club

Want to know where we are and when we’re giving out something awesome? The easiest way to keep in touch is to join the text club.  Simply click the button below and text “POSITIVELY”

Join Text Club

Find us at Lunch

Every week we visit teens at their school during lunch. We usually have a question that we’re curious about and some swag to give you. Want to know where you can find us? Check our social media or our calendar!

See us at the Game

We love to hang out at sporting events, band concerts, and other school events. It gives us a chance to visit with you without being rushed. We are usually there with fun things like gift cards and other goodies. Be sure to say “hi”!

Search for us in the Community

We love to pop up where you least expect us! You may see us at a First Friday, Night Out Against Crime, a Health Fair, or at the 4-H Fair.  We want everyone to know what good choices you’re making!

Here’s where you can find PEC!

In the past few years, we’ve seen local teens do some extraordinary things in the community, from delivering meals to seniors to stepping up when others needed them. To celebrate their positive impact, we started the Do-Gooder campaign. Because, at Positively Elkhart County, we’re all about the positive. Now we need YOUR HELP to highlight more Do-Gooders. If you know a student in Elkhart County who has gone above and beyond to help out, nominate them at positivelyelkhart.org/be-a-do-gooder/

In the past few years, we’ve seen local teens do some extraordinary things in the community, from delivering meals to seniors to stepping up when others needed them. To celebrate their positive impact, we started the Do-Gooder campaign. Because, at Positively Elkhart County, we’re all about the positive. Now we need YOUR HELP to highlight more Do-Gooders. If you know a student in Elkhart County who has gone above and beyond to help out, nominate them at positivelyelkhart.org/be-a-do-gooder/
NARCAN (Naloxone) is now available over the counter at Walgreens! Here are some facts you need to know about NARCAN. 1. It can reverse the symptoms of an opioid overdose (like fentanyl) 2. It does not have any negative effects if administered to someone who has not overdosed on opioids 3. It does not reverse the symptoms of non-opioid drug overdoses 4. When administered, it takes 3-5 minutes to take effect, and the effects last 30-90 minutes If you notice a friend or loved one exhibiting symptoms of an opioid overdose, administer NARCAN and call 9-11 immediately.

NARCAN (Naloxone) is now available over the counter at Walgreens! Here are some facts you need to know about NARCAN. 1. It can reverse the symptoms of an opioid overdose (like fentanyl) 2. It does not have any negative effects if administered to someone who has not overdosed on opioids 3. It does not reverse the symptoms of non-opioid drug overdoses 4. When administered, it takes 3-5 minutes to take effect, and the effects last 30-90 minutes If you notice a friend or loved one exhibiting symptoms of an opioid overdose, administer NARCAN and call 9-11 immediately.
It might seem like everyone believes all teens are vaping these days. But in Elkhart County, LESS teens are vaping today than they were 5 years ago. That’s amazing! Keep up the great work, Elkhart County!

It might seem like everyone believes all teens are vaping these days. But in Elkhart County, LESS teens are vaping today than they were 5 years ago. That’s amazing! Keep up the great work, Elkhart County!
Are you coming to Concord High School’s Homecoming game this Friday (9/15/2023)? Because we are! If you spot the PEC booth, come say hi and grab some swag!

Are you coming to Concord High School’s Homecoming game this Friday (9/15/2023)? Because we are! If you spot the PEC booth, come say hi and grab some swag!
This week's National Preparedness Month tip is a simple (but effective) one: communication. Back to school is the perfect time to talk to your teen about drugs and alcohol. Psychologists recommend calm, consistent reminders over one big conversation. Being honest and creating a safe space for your child to ask questions might just save their life.

This week's National Preparedness Month tip is a simple (but effective) one: communication. Back to school is the perfect time to talk to your teen about drugs and alcohol. Psychologists recommend calm, consistent reminders over one big conversation. Being honest and creating a safe space for your child to ask questions might just save their life.
Back in 2017, 95% of local teens believed it was wrong to smoke cigarettes. What percentage of teens TODAY believe smoking cigarettes is wrong? Take your best guess!

Back in 2017, 95% of local teens believed it was wrong to smoke cigarettes. What percentage of teens TODAY believe smoking cigarettes is wrong? Take your best guess!

Follow Us on Social Media 

Remember this Face! 

Andee is the person you will most often see out and about! When you see her, be sure to go up and say “hi”!

Meet Andee

Andee Huxhold is the Director of Positively Elkhart County. Get to know this face! You never know where you will see Andee. She may be at your school during lunch, at the game on Friday, or at the community event you and your family are going to.

The best part of seeing Andee is that she will always want to chat with you and she will always have something fun to give you. Because at Positively Elkhart County, we’re all about celebrating YOU!

Learn more about Andee (from Andee)!

Hello! My name is Andee Huxhold, and I am the Director of Positively Elkhart County. I’m a lifelong native of Michiana with a long history of serving throughout Elkhart County. I currently live in Osceola with my husband Patrick and our two girls, Miriam and Elisabeth, along with three dogs, one cat, and two noisy guinea pigs.

Today, the very best part of my job is getting to know so many kind and passionate young people in my community. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to walk alongside these incredible individuals and to share their stories with you. Now, more than ever, the world needs the “do-gooders” just like them!