Last Monday, the Chelsea Kiwanis Club heard from Bereavement Coordinator Olivia Wilder from Ele’s Place in Ann Arbor. Ele’s Place provides a safe space for children and their families to heal from the loss of a loved one.
At Ele’s Place, all services are provided at no cost for as long as needed, ensuring that no child grieves alone. Peer grief support groups for children ages 3-18 are facilitated by trained volunteers in the evening at three locations: Ann Arbor, Lansing, and Grand Rapids. Licensed clinicians facilitate the adult groups while the children attend the peer groups.
Weekly in-school support groups are also available during the school year. Tools used when working with children include a memory box for keeping letters and photos of their loved one, and a mask for the child to decorate and wear, making it easier to express themselves in the group.
About 60 children attend the evening groups in Ann Arbor, where child care is available for those under age 3 who attend with their families. Aside from an occasional state grant, Ele’s Place is funded locally to provide services free of charge. Kiwanis members are happy to support their efforts.
Kiwanis hopes to see many community members at the Children’s Fair Parade on Tuesday, Aug. 25, and at the Kiwanis food concession trailer during the 2026 Chelsea Community Fair.
