Evening Peer Groups
Children, teens, and caregivers meet with others after a death.
Explore Evening Peer Groups →One Ele’s Place · Grand Rapids
West Michigan
A Local Community.
A Shared Commitment to Grieving Families.
Connection Starts Here
Programs & Support
School-Based Support
Ele’s Groups bring peer support into the school day.
Explore School-Based Support →Virtual Young Adult Group
Young adults ages 18–26 can connect online with peers across Michigan.
Explore Virtual Young Adult Group →Weekly support groups for children, teens, and their caregivers.
- Who: Ages 3–18 + their caregivers
- When: Weekly during the school year
- Cost: Free
These groups provide a supportive place where children and teens can:
- Connect with other children or teens who have experienced the death of someone in their lives
- Share their thoughts and feelings
- Learn healthy ways to cope with grief
Groups are divided by age/grade (Preschool through High School) and are led by trained volunteers with oversight from Ele’s Place clinical program staff.
Parents and guardians of participating children and teens can meet in their own group at the same time. A licensed clinician facilitates the adult group.
During the summer, families can stay connected through special events and gatherings.
All services are provided at no cost to families.
Support for students, offered right at school.
- Who: Students identified by school staff
- What: 8-week peer support groups
- Where: During the school day, at school
- Cost: Free
Ele’s Place partners with schools across West Michigan to provide on-site grief support groups, helping remove barriers for students who may not otherwise have access.
We also collaborate with school staff to offer guidance and support for grieving students throughout the school year. West Michigan schools can contact Karen Ketterer, LMSW at kketterer@elesplace.org.
Free, monthly support for young adults ages 18–26.
Ele’s Place offers a virtual peer support group for young adults who have experienced the death of a significant person in their life. This group provides a supportive space to:
- Share stories and memories
• Explore and express feelings
• Learn coping skills
• Connect with peers who understand - When: 3rd Monday of each month, 6:00–7:00 PM
• Where: Zoom
• Cost: Free
Regular attendance is encouraged, but not required. Pre-enrollment is necessary before attending.
To learn more or get started, please contact:
Aysia Rodriguez
arodriguez@elesplace.org
Part Of The Ele’s Place Story
Rooted In West Michigan
- 2013The Grand Rapids branch opens.
- 2016Peer support expands into schools.
- 2025A second evening of groups begins in the fall.
Ele’s Place West Michigan opened in 2013 after local families and community members worked to bring grief support closer to home. School-based groups followed in 2016, and a second evening of programming was added in fall 2025.
Our People
Your West Michigan Team
Local Leadership
Our Community Board
Thank you to the people who share their time, talents, and care with Ele’s Place West Michigan.
Jacob Z. Kulhanek
Chair · The Christman Company
Darcie Delaney-LaBush
Vice Chair · BDO
Gideon Brewer
Wolflock
Josh Berry
FOX17 News
Beth Batts
Batts & Associates
Erik Edgington
Consumers Credit Union
Benjamin A.C. Fisher
New York Life Insurance Company
Courtney E.S. Fisk
Attorney
John Fitzgerald
Gallagher
Marnie Johnson
Founder, IT Consulting Firm
Travis Henkaline
FOX17
Arnette Kraus
Community Volunteer, Retired
Chris Legg
ddm Marketing and Communications
Melanie Medema
Kent ISD
Jennifer Onderko
Hungerford
Jason Ruud
S.A. Morman & Company
Benjamin Rigdon
Charter Growth Capital
Stacia Morrison
Meijer
Adam Starr
Keller Williams Realty
Bo Stover
Jackson Dearborn Partners
Shay Weaver
Assistant Attorney General / Judge Advocate
You Belong In This Story
Be Part Of Our Community.
There are many ways to show up for grieving children and families.
Stories From West Michigan
In the News
2025–2026 (3)
- Be There November Brings Children’s Grief Awareness to Michigan · FOX 17 Community Partners · November 5, 2026
- The Hoeksema Family Shares Its Connection to Ele’s Place · FOX 17 Morning Mix · June 26, 2026
- How Adam Starr Helped Bring Ele’s Place to Grand Rapids · FOX 17 · April 24, 2026
2020–2024 (1)
- West Michigan Invites Volunteers to Become Group Facilitators · FOX 17 · July 11, 2023
2010–2019 (5)
- The Ellis Family Shares Its Story Before the Healing Hearts Breakfast · FOX 17 · May 28, 2019
- How a Breakfast Brought Jaime Counterman to Ele’s Place · Rapid Growth · October 4, 2018
- West Michigan Marks Five Years of Peer Grief Support · West Michigan Woman · April 11, 2018
- Inside a Peer Support Group in Grand Rapids · Rapid Growth · March 24, 2016
- A Community Opens Its Doors to Ele’s Place in Grand Rapids · Rapid Growth · June 27, 2013