Ele's Place was founded in 1991 by a group of mental health professionals, concerned 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 the death of their sister, but not in the same way they were as adults. Following a great deal of research of other children's grief centers across the country, it was determined that peer support for the grieving Stover children as well as kids and teens who had experienced the death of someone close to them, was the best way to learn to cope with their feelings of grief, sadness, anger, and loss.
Nearly 30 years later, following humble beginnings in the basement of a church, Ele's Place now serves four communities and seeks to serve even more grieving children and their families as we continue to forward our mission. 

Our Core Values

We believe in creating and bolstering strong relationships; among our team members, between our team and the stakeholders we serve, and with the families we serve. Additionally, we seek collaboration within the nonprofit, private sector, bereavement, and children’s supportive services space.  

We believe in fostering well-being and health; for the children and teens we serve, as well as for our own team, and our communities as a whole. 

We believe in providing service with the utmost integrity and accountability; both through the ethical standards we uphold, and through keeping each other responsible for these standards. 

We believe in excellence and innovation; while providing a program with fidelity to and quality of proven practices, we also allow ourselves the opportunity to grow, learn, and improve upon all we do.  

We believe in honoring and promoting diversity; through an open and inclusive environment. We strive to reflect our communities in the families we serve and the members of our team.

 

Our Vision

To ensure no child or teen in Michigan grieves alone. 

Our Mission

Ele's Place is a nonprofit, community-based organization dedicated to creating awareness of and support for grieving children, teens and their families. 

 

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

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The Ele’s Place Diversity,Equity andInclusion Journey Statement

TOGETHER WE ARE BETTER
We are committed to providing a safe and welcoming space for grieving children, teens, and their families that respects diversity, equity, and inclusion for all. We honor all races, ethnicities, gender identities and expressions, sexual orientations, socio-economic backgrounds, ages, religions, and abilities. Like grief, our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, is a journey. Our staff, boards, and volunteers are dedicated to serving with passion and integrity, continually engaging in intentional dialogue, and creating a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture as we support grieving families in our communities throughout Michigan.