Care For Michigan Kids, November Is Child Grief Awareness Month

There is nothing more heartbreaking than losing a family member. Losing a family member is hard on the entire family and it's especially hard on children. Be there for your kids while they grieve and learn more about Children's Grief Awareness Month.

I watched my mom drown in front of me when I was 5. I started kindergarten a week and a half later. I became an alcoholic and did everything I possible could to run from pain. The reason why I did that was becasue I never learned how to deal with loss and grief. When you don't learn how to deal with grief and tragedy that can be a sad scenario for events that happen in life with regard to loss, whatever kind of loss it is. Thankfully I am in recovery, 6 + years, but the only day that matters is TODAY.

I wish we had a Elle's Place back home where I grew up. There's no question in my mind that had if I had someone to talk to and grieve with, things would've turned out differently for me. Thank goodness we have a Elle's Place in the Lansing area and throughout Michigan.

What is Elle's Place?

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

How does Elle's Place help grieving children?

There are no books for parents or children on how to deal with grief, Elle's Place believes in peer support. I do too.

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 close to them. Before coming to Ele’s Place, grieving children feel alone and keep their feelings inside, not wanting to burden their parents or other family members. Often, friends don’t seem to understand if they haven’t had a similar experience. At Ele’s Place, hundreds of grieving children and teens find a warm and welcoming place to meet new friends who really understand how they feel, while they begin to heal after the death of someone close to them.

Elle's Place is Accessible

West Michigan Branch

Capital Region Branch

I beg of you, for yourself and most importantly your child, please contact Elle's Place if you and your family have suffered a family loss. Therapy early on in someone's life can change their story. I am a good example of what happens when you don't receive therapy.