Chelsea State Bank ad

Chelsea Kiwanis Hears from Ele’s Place Representatives

(Chelsea Update would like to thank Bob Milbrodt for the information in this story.)

Last Monday, Ele’s Place Director of Development Lindsay Clark, and Program Director Peggy Gazimberti joined the Chelsea Kiwanis Zoom meeting.

Ele’s Place is a healing place for grieving children, teens, young adults, and their families. Four branch locations support families throughout Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids, Flint, Lansing, and beyond.

Each week, peer-to-peer bereavement support groups help hundreds learn to cope and begin to heal after the death of a parent, sibling, or someone else close to them. Before coming to Ele’s Place, grieving children feel alone and keep their feelings inside, not wanting to burden others. Often, their friends who have not had a similar experience, don’t seem to understand.

Ele’s Place was founded in 1991 by a group of mental health professionals, community volunteers, and grieving parents, Betsy and Woody Stover. Following the death of their daughter, Helen Louise Snow Stover, known as Ele, at 11 months old, the Stovers saw that their three children, ages 3-7, were grieving in different ways from each other, and from how adults grieve.

After much research, it was determined that peer support for children was the best way to learn to cope with their feelings of grief, sadness, anger, and loss.

All services rendered by Ele’s Place are free. Before Covid, 80-100 volunteers conducted the support groups. Since in-person sessions were curtailed, Ele’s Place has still been able to keep connections with kids and families.

Peggy related a recent occurrence during an online session. A youngster was asked what made him think of his loved one. He ran away from the computer, and out of the room. His mother called for him to return, but the volunteer assured her that he had something to share. Sure enough, the boy returned with a hammer, saying it reminded him of his grandfather, who used to build things with him.

Those of any faith, or no faith, are accepted and their grief experiences are heard. Some want to get closer to their faith, while others are angry, and want to take a step back.

Services provided are individualized. The average length of time in the program is 10-11 months. The range of service extends from 2 months to 2 years, but there is no limit. Seventy-five percent of funds for the service come from individuals. For more information, go to www.elesplace.org

The club’s 2nd Annual Gourmet Nut Sale is concluding, with only a limited supply remaining. Please see any Kiwanian, visit our Facebook page – www.facebook.com/kiwanisclubofchelsea or order with Chelsea Farmers Market at –  www.openfoodnetwork.net 

Also available on the Market site are emergency car seat id stickers at no charge, and boxes of the knackwurst (20) and hot dogs (60) we sell at our food concession trailer for $30/box.

Go to www.kiwanisofchelsea.org for more information.

Print Friendly, PDF & Email

More News

Chelsea City Notice: Public Hearing for 511 Congdon Rezoning Request

March 25, 2024

April 4: Ballet Storytime at Chelsea District Library

March 25, 2024

Mary Lee Penney Named 2024 Woman of Chelsea State Bank Award Winner

March 24, 2024

Chelsea’s Jordan Braman Inducted into Phi Kappa Phi

March 24, 2024

April 18: Father Enzo Addari Retirement Celebration

March 24, 2024

March 31: Easter Events at Zion Lutheran Church

March 24, 2024

No City of Chelsea Meetings This Week

March 24, 2024

Chelsea Kiwanis Club Hears From the Chelsea Area Fire Authority

March 23, 2024

Great Showing for Chelsea Girls Track and Field at SEC Indoor Invitational

March 23, 2024

Chelsea Boys Track and Field Achieves Goals at SEC Indoor Invitational Meet

March 23, 2024

This Week’s Washtenaw County Road Commission Planned Road Projects

March 23, 2024

Washtenaw County Health Department Releases Annual Report

March 23, 2024

WCC Summer, Fall Registration Open

March 23, 2024

Chelsea School District March Students of the Month

March 22, 2024

Carley Grabarczyk Signs Letter of Intent to Purdue Northwest

March 22, 2024

Adult Learners Institute Announces April Schedule

March 22, 2024

Take a Journey Through Holy Week at Zion Lutheran Church

March 22, 2024

March 22: Final Lenten Fish Fry at St. Mary Church

March 22, 2024

Reminder: Spring Fling Craft Show from Fishville Farms at Chelsea Fairgrounds March 23

March 22, 2024

Recent Obituary: Thomas Joseph McGaw, Jr.

March 22, 2024

Jim Bristle and Loren Heller Distinguished Service to Agriculture Award Recipients

March 21, 2024