The Canton Public Library is pointing local families toward a free grief support resource for children in November.

The library’s “Know Your Org” series features Ele’s Place, a Michigan nonprofit that offers peer grief support groups for children ages 3 to 18 at no cost. November is both Worldwide Bereaved Siblings Month and Children’s Grief Awareness Month.

“Ele’s Place is a healing center for children who have experienced a loss,” said Calen Conlan, director of development for Ele’s Place Ann Arbor, in the library feature. The organization provides free peer-to-peer grief support for children ages 3 to 18 and a separate virtual support group for young adults ages 18 to 26, Conlan said. It also supports family members while their children participate.

Betsy and Woody Stover helped found Ele’s Place in 1991 alongside mental health professionals and community volunteers, according to the organization’s founding history. Their daughter, Ele, died in 1989 at 11 months old, according to the organization’s website. The Stovers researched children’s grief centers after seeing how their other children experienced their sister’s death.

All services are free. Ele’s Place does not bill insurance, according to the library feature.

Children meet in groups with peers of similar ages who are also grieving. Trained volunteer facilitators lead the sessions under the supervision of program staff. Groups are divided by age and grade, from preschool and kindergarten through high school.

The organization is entirely community funded through donations and fundraising events held each fall and spring, Conlan said in the library feature.

“We are 100% community funded. So that means we rely on donors and businesses to support us in order to keep our services free,” Conlan said.

Ele’s Place operates branches in the Ann Arbor, Lansing and Grand Rapids areas. The Ann Arbor location at 5665 Hines Drive serves families from 10 Michigan counties, including Wayne County, according to the organization. The Ann Arbor branch offers weekly evening support groups Monday through Thursday during the school year, September through May.

The library feature also describes volunteer opportunities, including kitchen help at family potlucks, event support and service-day projects.

Families can reach Ele’s Place Ann Arbor at 734-929-6640 or visit its website for information about starting grief support.