Evening Peer Groups
Children, teens, and caregivers meet with others after a death.
Explore Evening Peer Groups →One Ele’s Place · Lansing
Capital Region
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 →We serve grieving children, teens, young adults, and their families from throughout Mid-Michigan. We hold in-person peer support groups weekly Monday–Thursday throughout the school year and Family Nights once a month in the summer. We also hold Ele’s Groups at schools throughout the area. Support groups for parents/guardians of the children and teens are also available and are facilitated by licensed clinicians.
If you have a grieving child or teen in your life or are a young adult looking for grief support, our Bereavement Coordinators are here to help! Please call Ele’s Place – Capital Region at 517-482-1315 to learn more about our no-cost support programs.
Part Of The Ele’s Place Story
Rooted In Mid-Michigan
- 1991Families meet at Pilgrim Congregational Church in Lansing.
- 2005Groups move to the Oakland Avenue center.
Ele’s Place began in Lansing in 1991, founded by grieving parents Betsy and Woody Stover alongside mental health professionals, community volunteers, and Junior League members. It is named in honor of their daughter Ele. The first support groups began at Pilgrim Congregational Church in October 1991. In 2005, support groups and operations moved to the Oakland Avenue location.
Our People
Your Capital Region Team
Local Leadership
Our Community Board
Thank you to the people who share their time, talents, and care with Ele’s Place Capital Region.
Chad Ross, CPA, CCIFP
Chair · The Christman Company
Ben Rathbun
Vice Chair · Rathbun Insurance
Kurt L. Beck, CPA
Plante Moran, PLLC
Bill Clark
Clark Construction Company
Bethe Day
Palm Beach Society
Gayle Fisher
Auto-Owners Insurance
Michael Flory
Custom Built Design & Remodeling
Mary Chris Hotchkiss, CMP, CTA
Petoskey Area Visitors Bureau
Stephanie Kostelic
Delta Dental
Jordan Leaming
Delta Dental of Michigan
Travis Lower
Farm Bureau Insurance of Michigan
Jane Mitchell
Jungle Jane Promotions
Denya Macaluso
MSUFCU
Neal Mossing
Jackson National
Matthew Nobis, CPA, MBA
University of Michigan Health Regional Network
Scott Shorter
Lansing Board of Water and Light
Tina Spiller
End-of-Life Doula
You Belong In This Story
Be Part Of Our Community.
There are many ways to show up for grieving children and families.
Stories From Capital Region
The Family Behind EleFest
After their daughter died, Sue and Steve Lonier’s sons attended Ele’s Place. In 2003, the family opened their Lansing-area corn maze for an afternoon of hayrides, games and music.
The State News · September 15, 2003
More Stories From Capital Region
- Friends Who Understand
- Keeping Dad Part of the Conversation
- Turning His Experience Into Support for Others
In the News
2025–2026 (2)
- How Adam Starr Helped Bring Ele’s Place to Grand Rapids · FOX 17 · April 24, 2026
- From a Family Group to Facilitating for Others · WILX News 10 · April 22, 2025
2020–2024 (1)
- Children’s Grief Awareness Day in Lansing · WILX · November 21, 2024
2010–2019 (3)
- Kelly Koerner Talks With WKAR About Children’s Grief · WKAR · April 13, 2016
- A Family and a Branch Leader Talk With WKAR · WKAR Public Media · September 18, 2013
- Michigan Radio Asks How Families Find Grief Support · Michigan Radio, now Michigan Public · March 5, 2012