Create
Activities can give feelings and memories another form.
/ Children and Teen Groups
Children and Teen Groups
A Place to Be Yourself.
People Who Understand.
After someone dies, children and teens may need room to talk, create, play, or listen. Peer support offers ways to connect with others who have experienced a death.
What to Expect on a Group Evening
Ele’s Place offers ongoing, weekly in-person evening peer support groups at no cost for children and teens ages 3–18 who have experienced the death of someone in their lives. Children and teens can talk, listen, share memories, or take part in activities. They choose how much to share.
Groups are organized by age or grade. They typically include preschool/kindergarten, early elementary, upper elementary, middle school, and high school. Trained volunteers lead the groups with oversight from licensed clinical program staff. Offerings vary by branch. Call Ann Arbor, Capital Region (Lansing), or West Michigan (Grand Rapids) to ask about groups in your community, including options for young adults.
See a Grand Rapids group night through a reporter’s eyes in this illustrated story from 2016.
Connect
Peers can help children feel less alone in their grief.
There is room to laugh with someone who understands and to miss the person who died, even on the same evening.
Remember
The person who died remains part of the conversation.
When Jordan’s Family Missed a Group Night
Addi used art to express what she was feeling. Her brother Isaiah made a scream box. When their dad got sick and they missed a week, both children asked him to take them back.
“Let grief build you bigger.”
— Jordan
Support for Parents and Caregivers
While your child or teen meets with their group, you can meet other parents and caregivers who are grieving, too. A licensed clinician leads the adult group. You can talk about the person who died, share a question about supporting your child, or spend time listening to other caregivers.
Before your first evening, you can ask your branch where to enter, where each group meets, or about anything that would help your family feel more comfortable arriving.
Referrals to Therapists and Other Resources
If your family is looking for a therapist, Ele’s Place can help with a referral to a social worker or psychologist in your community.
Parents, caregivers, and teachers can also call us for guidance and written materials about supporting a grieving child.
Start With a Conversation.
You do not have to have all the answers before reaching out. Contact the community nearest you to talk about support and next steps.
Find an Ele’s Place Location
There Is Room for Your Questions.
A conversation with our team can help you find a starting point.