Ele’s Groups in Schools
Connection Can Begin
at School.
Ele’s Place partners with schools to help grieving students connect with peers. A familiar setting can make support easier to reach.
The School Day Holds More Than Schoolwork.
Because not every family can commit to programming in an Ele’s Place facility each week, and because sometimes schools are affected more broadly across the student population by the death of a fellow student or teacher, Ele’s Place works in partnership with school counselors to provide peer support groups that meet weekly for eight weeks during the school day in participating schools.
For more information, school administrators please contact our Ele’s Group coordinators listed here.
Thankful for Ele’s Group
A student remembers fishing with their dad, grieving their brother Marcell, and finding people to talk with at school.
Read the full story
My dad was my best friend. We spent our days fishing, shopping, riding rides at amusement parks and laughing over dinner at Cracker Barrel. Everything we did, we did together. When he died I was 8 years old and it was like a piece of me died too. I was so young, I didn’t know how to deal with the emotions that I was experiencing.
Just as I was regaining my footing, my brother Marcell died of brain cancer. He was only 23-years-old and I was 14. In a way, his death hurt even worse because I was old enough to know exactly what was going on.
I felt lonely, depressed and I couldn’t control my emotions. I channeled my feelings by acting out. I started to get into trouble at school, my grades started to slip and I was getting into fights with my peers.
Ele’s Group helped turn my life around. During the months that I attended Ele’s Group, I was able to open up and talk about my feelings with other teens. I could talk about the deaths of my dad and brother without crying and learned that they are in a better place now. By listening to my peers and talking to them about my loss, I realized that everyone goes through hard times in life. I had found my safe haven within the hallways of my own school.
“All of these things may not have been possible if Ele’s Group hadn’t been there to help me through one of my most difficult moments in life…”
Start With a Conversation About Your School.
Schools can request a consultation about the needs of a grieving student, class, or school. Ele’s Place also offers educational events for faculty, staff, and families. Presentations for teachers, counselors, and administrators can be tailored to a school meeting, in-service, or workshop. We recommend allowing at least an hour. Scheduling depends on staff availability.
Parents and teachers can ask for guidance and written materials. Staff can also help with referrals to social workers and psychologists in the community.
Wondering About Support at Your Child’s School?
If you’re interested in a group at your child’s school, you can ask us directly. Include a school contact so our coordinator can follow up with the school.
Start With a Conversation.
Choose the branch closest to your school. A school group coordinator can talk with you about your students and what starting a group would involve.
Ann Arbor
KaDerrick Robinson, LMSW
krobinson@elesplace.org
734-929-6640
Capital Region (Lansing)
Chloe Silm, LMSW
csilm@elesplace.org
517-482-1315
West Michigan (Grand Rapids)
Karen Ketterer, LMSW
kketterer@elesplace.org
616-301-1605