General Info

What is Ele's Place Ele's Place is a nonprofit, community-based organization with a mission to create awareness of and support for grieving children and their families. Through peer support group programs, Ele's Place helps children to cope with the death or life-threatening illness of a parent, sibling or other close family member or friend. Before coming to Ele's Place, many grieving children feel alone and keep their feelings inside, not wanting to burden their parents or other family members. Often friends don't seem to understand if they haven't had a similar experience. But each week at Ele's Place, hundreds of grieving children find a warm and welcoming place to meet new friends who really understand how they feel. Some children learn how to cope with a family member's illness, while others begin to heal after the death of a loved one. Why is Ele's Place Important Many children today will have experienced the death of a loved one by the end of high school. Ele's Place recognizes that children's grief is unique, and that unaddressed grief can have a negative impact on children's health and well-being. Unresolved childhood loss is often linked with adolescent and adult depression, violence, truancy, alcoholism, drug abuse, anxiety and suicidal tendencies. Ele's Place helps grieving children who are at risk of developing these negative behaviors by supporting them during their bereavement and providing them with life-affirming skills, so they may continue their lives with hope and confidence. Geographic Service Area Ele's Place is the only center in Lansing and Ann Arbor devoted entirely to serving the needs of grieving children. In Lansing, 69% of families served are from the immediate area, including DeWitt, Dimondale, East Lansing, Grand Ledge, Haslett, Holt, Lansing, Mason, Okemos, and Williamston. The remaining 31% are families from other mid-Michigan communities. In Ann Arbor, 73% of families served are from the immediate area, including Chelsea, Dexter, Manchester, Milan, Saline, Whitmore Lake and Ypsilanti. The remaining 27% come from other surrounding communities. Ele Stover Ele's Place was established in 1991 and is named in honor of Ele Stover, who died in 1989 at the age of 11 months. Ele is survived by four siblings whose lives will be forever affected by her life, illness and death. ELE also represents the organization's philosophy of Embracing Loss Effectively. If you or someone you know can benefit from the services of Ele's Place, or you would like further information on supporting Ele's Place with your time or resources,