A Local Community.
A Shared Commitment to Grieving Families.
Children and teens ages 3–18 meet in groups by age or grade. Trained volunteers facilitate with oversight from clinical program staff. Licensed clinicians lead a group for parents and guardians at the same time. Weekly groups meet Monday through Thursday evenings from September through May. Enrolled families can attend summer family activity nights. Support is offered at no cost for as long as a family needs it.
Explore Evening Peer Groups →Ele’s Place partners with school counselors to offer eight-week peer groups during the school day and consultations for school staff.
Explore School-Based Support →Michigan residents ages 18–26 can ask about a free monthly peer group on Zoom after someone in their life has died. Pre-registration is required.
Explore Virtual Young Adult Group →Ele’s Place Ann Arbor is the only nonprofit in Ann Arbor, and the surrounding southeast Michigan area, dedicated solely to helping children and teens work with and through grief alongside their peers. Unfortunately, the need for our services will never go away.
The Ann Arbor story began in November 2005, when community members from Chelsea and Ann Arbor approached Ele’s Place in Lansing about bringing children’s grief support to their region. A Founders’ Council formed in 2006, and United Bank & Trust donated office space that November.
Scio Community Church donated program space in January 2007. After volunteer training that March, support groups launched in May 2007. In 2019, the branch opened its dedicated center, A Home for Healing Hearts, on Hines Drive.
Thank you to the people who share their time, talents, and care with Ele’s Place Ann Arbor.
Chair · Varnum Law
Retired Emergency Medicine and Toxicology Physician
Bruce & Associates
Community Volunteer
Pediatric Cardiologist, University of Michigan
Retired Pediatric Anesthesiologist
Defy Communications
Merck & Co.
University of Michigan
Fifth Third Bank
Founder, Ele’s Place
Wacker Chemical
Michigan Baby Company
There are many ways to show up for grieving children and families.
Stories From Ann Arbor
When she came to Ele’s Place, she would proudly wear her neckerchief and sit in the middle of the entryway to greet the kids and adults.
Hello. Our website is being updated. This may your experience. This is temporary and we appreciate you patience.
