One in twenty children under the age of 18 will have experienced the death of a parent. While the statistic may be overwhelming, it’s compounded by the fact that the needs of children struggling with such loss vary from age to age and therefore requires specialized support.
Ele’s Place has been working to address those needs in Lansing since 1991.
Thanks to a recent $5,000 grant from the
Joe D. Pentecost Foundation, grieving children in the early elementary age group will receive specialized support for one year.
“This particular grant sponsored the Monday Early Elementary support group, which has been among our largest groups,” says Molly Day, director of marketing and development for Ele’s Place.
A total of 17 children have participated in this group since last September, with up to 11 children attending at any one time. The Joe D. Pentecost Foundation grant provided the resources for clinical staff to develop and implement age appropriate curriculum, for training of skilled volunteer facilitators who work directly with the children, and for supplies used for support group activities.
According to Day, this particular foundation is a natural partner for Ele’s place, and has supported the organization in the past.
“The mission of the Foundation is to support and enrich the educational, social and economic life of the greater Lansing area,” she says. “Through its support of Ele’s Place, the Foundation makes a positive difference in the lives of grieving children, and strengthens our community as a result.”
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