040626 ~ Run for the Roses, Rally for Healing - Calen Conlan & Jenna Mares

Children in Michigan face grief at staggering rates—one in 11 will lose a parent or sibling before adulthood—yet few have access to peer-based support that truly understands their pain. On this episode of The Lucy Ann Lance Show, Jenna Mares and Callan Conlon from Ellie’s Place reveal how their nonprofit provides free, trauma-informed grief support to kids ages 3 to 18 across three Michigan cities, using peer groups, school partnerships, and trained volunteers. The heart of their mission is the 9th Annual Derby Day Soiree, a high-energy, Derby-themed fundraiser on May 2nd at Revel Run in Chelsea, where attendees enjoy cocktails, fashion, live horses, and a shared celebration of healing. What makes this event transformative isn’t just the pageantry—it’s the fact that every $275 ticket ensures no child grieves alone. The organization, founded in 1989 after the death of an 11-month-old girl named Ellie, has now served over 30,000 families, proving that community-driven compassion can turn personal tragedy into lasting legacy. The episode underscores a quiet crisis: grief in children is invisible, untreated, and often mismanaged. Ellie’s Place doesn’t just offer counseling—it creates safe spaces where kids can laugh, cry, and process loss with peers who get it. Volunteers from all walks of life undergo 20 hours of training and background checks to ensure trust and safety.