(Chelsea Update would like to thank Bob Milbrodt for the information in this story.)
Last week, Kiwanis members heard from Ele’s Place Development Director Bree Arvai and Board Member Rick Eder.
Ele’s Place is a program for children and their families to help during the grieving process when a family member or someone close to them has died. Often, children are afraid of talking with their parents after the loss of a sibling for fear of making them sadder.
Arvai and Eder explained how each visit by the family begins with a pot luck supper with all the other families, followed by splitting up into age groups. Sharing the grieving process with peers has proven to be successful in finding coping strategies. There is never a charge, and once enrolled, families can attend for as long as they wish.
Ele’s Place was started in Lansing in 1991 by Betsy and Woody Stover after the loss of their 11-month-old daughter, Ele, to help their three older children’s grief. Unresolved grief can lead to depression, addiction and violence.
Monday, club members will hear from Lindsay Baker, coalition director for SRSLY Chelsea. She will inform us on SRSLY’s continuing efforts to prevent substance abuse in our community’s youth.
Chelsea Kiwanis meets each Monday at 6:15 p.m. in the St. Joseph Mercy Chelsea Hospital cafeteria, and the speakers begin at about 6:45 p.m.
Everyone is invited to the club’s meetings to enjoy our speakers and learn about Kiwanis.
Go to www.kiwanisclubofchelsea.org for more information.
