Ele’s Place heals hearts in Stockbridge Schools

Ele’s Place comes to Stockbridge Schools, thanks to John Twining’s initiative and the efforts of others. “I’m just pleased to learn that the staff has noticed significant improvement among the affected students,” he said. User provided photo.

revised 12/13/2018

by Amy Haggerty

Many of us recognize Ele’s Place for its help to grieving children, teens and their families. But how many are aware that this Michigan-based nonprofit has a home in Stockbridge Community Schools? Or how its life-changing services came to take root here?

Not long ago, school staff began to express concerns that their students were coping with inordinate loss and in need of extra school support. John Twining, the Junior/Senior High School social worker, determined to take action. He approached Ele’s Place and asked: Could they offer counseling services to Stockbridge students?

The reply came back, yes, and a local Ele’s Place program began to take shape.

Now, beginning with the 2018 school year, Ele’s Place support groups meet weekly at Heritage Elementary and the Jr/Sr High School. The program, complete with an Ele’s Place therapist and school social worker, offers grieving students a welcoming structure for taking on the difficult and important process of healing and grieving.

All thanks to Twining’s initiative and the efforts of others.

“We are definitely fortunate to have such a partnership with Ele’s Place!” wrote Heritage Principal Sarah Bentley.

“I’m just pleased to learn that the staff has noticed significant improvement among the affected students,” Twining said. He indicated that each school serves about 15 participating students, and the far-reaching benefits extend to families and the community.

According to the Ele’s Place website, the community-based organization is dedicated to creating awareness of and support for grieving children and their families through peer support group programs. Its aim is to support children and teens who are coping with the death of a parent, sibling or other close family member.

For youth, the death of a close family member is typically sudden, frightening, and without precedent, its website states. “Before coming to Ele’s Place, many 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.”

The organization brings together youth who have experienced similar trauma, and it currently serves an average of 100 families each week at no charge to them. However, there are costs to providing this service, so Ele’s conducts its annual “Healing Hearts Society Fundraising” breakfast. More than 500 guests attended last October’s event held in Ypsilant with guest speakers sharing Ele’s Place family stories.

Twining and Stockbridge School student, Ivori Hufnaged, were invited to speak, and following their presentations and others, guests and other donors anted up a whopping $401,000.