UPDATE: HASLETT - Ele’s Place, a center for grieving children and their families, offers the program at multiple middle schools in the Lansing area.

"It was hard to get started in the school because naturally schools are really focused on education and academics,” Sarah Rockstad, Director of Programming at Ele’s Place said. “We are asking them to let these kids leave the class one hour a week for the support group but I think they've seen it has such a positive effect on the kids."

The program lasts for eight weeks and during that time students engage in activities and group discussions to help them express their feelings and understand they are not alone.

If after the eight weeks a student feels they would benefit from further group sessions they are welcome to attend at Ele’s Place.

“We wish that happened more because for some kids eight weeks is not long enough,” Rockstad said.

Ele’s Place is a nonprofit organization largely funded through donations. It has branches in Lansing, Ann Arbor, and soon Grand Rapids.



ORIGINAL STORY: HASLETT - Haslett Middle School is taking part in a program that helps students coping with the loss of a loved one.