Ele’s Place is a healing center for grieving children and teens.  One in 20 children under the age of 18 will experience the death of a parent. This equates to 4,500 children in Genesee County, alone.

When the Hagerman’s sought to support organizations that provide services for families in crisis, Ele’s Place seemed like the perfect place to start. The Foundation gave one of its first grants to Ele’s Place in April of 2015.

In 2015, Ele’s place launched an 8-week, school-based program at Beecher High School where 74 percent of the students had experienced the death of a loved one. They currently offer school based programs at 5 schools here in Genesee County. Group therapy sessions are also housed at Ele’s Place, Flint at the Holy Redeemer Church. Their approach to grief counseling offers age appropriate activities for both children and adults at no cost to the families.

“We are extremely grateful to The Hagerman Foundation for their generous support, which allows us to help grieving children, teens, and their families,” said Amy Krug, managing director, Ele’s Place, Flint. “There are thousands of children and teens in the greater Flint community who are grieving alone. It is critical that they have access to the support they need.”

“We are grateful to be in partnership with Ele’s Place and excited to have them serving the children in Flint and Genesee County,” said Jocelyn Hagerman, CEO of The Hagerman Foundation.