Ann Arbor, July 30, 2025 — Ele’s Place – Ann Arbor will be hosting its fifth annual Healing Hearts Family Walk/Run on Sunday, September 14 on the campus of Thomson Reuters in Ann Arbor.

The family-friendly event will raise funds and awareness for Ele’s Place, a healing center for grieving children and teens. 

“At Ele’s Place, we’re proud to be a safe haven for children, teens, and their families. They are given the space to connect with their peers, express their feelings and develop healthy coping skills after the death of a parent, sibling or another important person in their lives,” says Dr. Courtney Hough, Branch Director of Ele’s Place- Ann Arbor. “Our signature events like the Healing Hearts Family Walk Run give the community an opportunity to honor those who have died and help ensure that we can continue to provide these crucial peer support services, 100% free of charge for as long as a family needs them.”

In Michigan, 1 in 11 children will experience the death of a parent or sibling by age 18 (Judi’s House, 2025). Ele’s Place was founded in Lansing in 1991, and established its Ann Arbor branch in 2007. The organization has provided free peer grief support groups and in-school programming to more than 33,000 individuals across the state since its inception.

“The support and advocacy from the Ann Arbor and greater Southeastern Michigan communities have been pivotal in our efforts to reach families in need,” says Hough. “This race signifies the empowerment of families; unity of our friends, neighbors, and local businesses; and healing through hope.”

This year’s goal is to draw more than 300 attendees, and raise $60,000 to support grieving children and teens.

Event details:

·       Where: Thomson Reuters, 6300 Interfirst Dr, Ann Arbor, MI 48176

·       When (all start times approximate):

o   Opening Ceremony – 10:30 a.m.

o   Kids Dash – 10:40 a.m.

o   5K Walk/Run or Mission Mile (shorter, one-mile option) – 11:00 a.m.

·       Registration Fees: Free for Kids Dash (ages 3-6), $20 for the Mission Mile and virtual participants, $25 for in-person 5K Walk/Run. Prices increase after August 8th to $35, $40 after August 31st, and registration closes September 14.

·       Awards:  All participants 18 and under will receive a medal. Incentive prizes are available for participants to earn by reaching different fundraising milestones.

·       Memory Hearts: Participants and community members may choose to support Ele’s Place and honor a special person in their lives by purchasing a Memory Heart for $20 each. Hearts can be carried, displayed along the race course, or placed in your yard for our virtual participants.

·       T-Shirts: T-Shirts are included with 5K and Mission Mile if registered by August 22. Additional shirts can be purchased online at: https://runsignup.com/Race/MI/AnnArbor/HealingHeartsFamilyWalk

·       Sponsorships: To inquire about sponsorships, visit https://elesplace.org/download_file/view/6f651aee-0f3a-4c52-acd2-edb417dfdd48/257 and contact Dr. Hough directly at chough@elesplace.org.

·       Volunteers: To sign up to volunteer, visit https://runsignup.com/Race/Volunteer/MI/AnnArbor/HealingHeartsFamilyWalk

To register or donate, visit:

https://runsignup.com/Race/MI/AnnArbor/HealingHeartsFamilyWalk

To learn more about Ele’s Place, please visit elesplace.org.

About Ele’s Place

Ele's Place is a non-profit, community-based healing center for children and teens who have experienced the death of a parent, sibling or someone else close to them. Our mission is to create awareness of and support for grieving children, teens and their families. Our vision is to ensure that no child or teen in Michigan grieves alone.