Society tends to paint grief — especially regarding the tender population of children and teens — in somber, muted hues.
However, since 1991, Ele’s Place has been upending the notion of hushed tones, clinical detachment and desperate isolation by replacing those outdated concepts with a warm, shared and inclusive sanctuary where the healing process is more like a collective exhale of relief and refuge.
The statewide nonprofit headquartered in Lansing is dedicated to creating awareness of and support for grieving children and their families. Through peer support group programs, Ele’s Place helps children to cope with the death of a parent, sibling or other loved one.
Since becoming the nonprofit’s president and CEO in 2025, Yvonne Fleener has been ensuring that the foundation of Ele’s Place remains rock-solid in its unwavering support for youth in crisis; however, her personal connections to the mission of Ele’s Place extend much deeper.
“My father died when I was 8 years old under traumatic circumstances,” Fleener said. “I know what it feels like to be a grieving child and to carry questions, sadness and confusion without a place designed for children to process those feelings. That is part of what drives me.”
In Michigan, 1 in 11 children under the age of 18 will experience the death of a parent or sibling. With unaddressed childhood grief impacting short- and long-term mental health, the work of Ele’s Place is indispensably vital to societal well-being — which is why the leadership is always forward-focused on how to evolve the organization to meet the future head-on.
“Nonprofit organizations have a natural lifecycle,” Fleener said. “The expression, ‘What got you here won’t (necessarily) get you there’ is a good way to think about this point in a nonprofit’s lifecycle. Transitions at any organization create a natural pause and time of reflection. It’s an opportunity to align goals and strategy with what it needs from its next leader.”
CHANGE AT THE SPEED OF TRUST
Taking over a deeply emotional brand requires immense tact. Fleener spent her initial days pausing, listening and asking questions of community supporters.
“Although my natural tendency is to move quickly, I know that change moves at the speed of trust,” she said. “It is a balance of what must change now for sustainability and what needs more time to simmer and continue workshopping to various stakeholders.”
To bridge that gap, Fleener’s first order of business was to fortify the internal culture of the nonprofit around clarity, communication and a collaborative vision.
“I believe nonprofit organizations belong to the community they serve, and those of us fortunate enough to lead them are simply stewards on behalf of the community,” Fleener said. “We are recentering around our one shared purpose: No child or teen in Michigan should grieve alone. We are asking ourselves how we honor what has made Ele’s Place so meaningful while building the sustainability and structures needed to serve more children, teens and families in the future.”
INFUSING BUSINESS INTO THE WORK
In the nonprofit sector, talking about business metrics can feel off-putting when passion is the fuel that drives the purpose behind the work. However, Fleener looks at it through a lens of necessity. Strong finances, updated HR systems, streamlined data tracking and responsible fundraising aren’t distractions from the mission — they are the armor that gives it sustainability.
“Focusing on that purpose helps us ask better questions,” Fleener said. “Is this decision helping us reach more grieving children and families? Is it reducing barriers or creating them? Are our systems helping staff focus on the most meaningful work, or are we asking people to carry too much because the structure is not strong enough? Are we making decisions based on mission, information and impact, or based on habit and fear?”
That perspective is crucial for preventing burnout among the staff and volunteers who walk alongside grieving families daily. Fleener champions a culture that is both compassionate and accountable.
“Compassion without accountability creates limitations on moving toward our vision and goals,” she said. “Accountability without compassion can damage trust. Both are needed.”
THE HORIZON OF 2027 GROWTH
As Ele’s Place prepares for 2027, Fleener’s strategic plan relies on five key pillars designed to make the organization stand out in a competitive philanthropic landscape: sustainability, impact, access, collaboration and growth.
By sharpening its corporate framework, Ele’s Place is ensuring it remains agile, well-funded and highly visible. Fleener’s approach of applying business principles to an organization built on love is designed to keep the transformative soul of Ele’s Place at the forefront of the organization.
“Ele’s Place was built by people who understood something very important: Children grieve, and they need safe spaces where they feel understood. … Our founder, team members, volunteers and community members have created something extraordinary at Ele’s Place,” Fleener said.
“Children, teens and families come to Ele’s Place feeling alone and move through their grief knowing there are other people who understand. There is a sense of hope and joy at Ele’s Place that families have described as a warm hug when they needed it most.
“That legacy is sacred,” she added.
Christopher Nagy
Christopher Nagy is the senior editor for 517 Business and M3 Group. He spent more than 25 years in the field of journalism working at every level of the newsroom. Despite that, he’s still a pretty good guy.
