ELLI'S HOUSE
About Elli's House
Our Organization
Elli's House is a 501(c)3 nonprofit serving homeless & runaway women involved in human trafficking in the city of Detroit. Our mission is to abolish sex trafficking in the city of Detroit through building relationships, offering safe shelter, and providing education.
Elli's House was founded in 2017 by Deb Ellinger, a native Detroiter. While working with teen girls who were consistently running away from home, there was a clear need for a shelter in the city. Out of this need, Deb began Elli's House. What began as an attempt to fill a need, has grown into a full non-profit organization. Today, we have a two-year residential shelter program, a middle school mentoring program, and we provide food, hygiene, and clothing to survivors weekly through street outreach.
Our Board Members
Deb Ellinger
Executive Director and Founder
Deb is a graduate of Ferris State University with a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Justice. Upon graduation she began her career as a police officer. Some time ago, Deb became involved with a non-profit organization based in Detroit. Here she discovered the increasing number of girls running away from home who end up in forced prostitution, or a life of human trafficking.
This led Deb to create Elli's House, a street outreach program and shelter for women who are homeless, addicted, and sex-trafficked on the streets of Detroit.
In her spare time, Deb loves to spend time with with her four kids and her husband.
Kyle M. Seidel
President
Mr. Seidel, partner at Anderson, Eckstein and Westrick, Inc., earned his Bachelor in Science degree at Michigan Technological University in 1997 and has been working as a civil engineer for the last 21 years. He is the engineering representative for various communities in Macomb and Oakland County, including the city of Mount Clemens, the city of Troy, the South Macomb Disposal Authority, and the Southeast Macomb Sanitary District.
Kyle grew up in a Christian family and has been a member at Faith Lutheran Church since 2001 where he has been actively involved with the children’s ministry since 2006. Kyle also volunteers as a high school small group leader, and has been a lay minister since 2005. In the last year, Kyle has participated in mission trips to Juarez, Mexico and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
Kyle married his wonderful wife Carla Seidel in 1998 and they now have four children: Ethan,16, Sierra,14, Erica, 12, and Sawyer, 9. Kyle has enjoyed coaching basketball, soccer, and cheerleading for his children. Carla and Kyle have lived in Troy, MI for over 20 years and both have a God-given gift for serving. Being a board member for Elli’s house brings Kyle great pride and joy. He looks forward to seeing the completion of Elli’s House I and II, which will provide a safe place for women to call home if they are trapped in the sex trafficking industry.
Robert C. Weide
Treasurer
Bob graduated from Western Michigan University with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, majoring in Accounting and minoring in Computer Information Systems.
Bob has years of experience in corporate (profit and non-profit) and individual tax planning and preparation, financial statement preparation (personal, compilation, review and audit), and consulting for special projects including assistance with internal control and board meeting presentations.
Bob is active in multiple non-profit organizations, from sitting on boards to participating with the programs. From house clean up days to playing hockey with the Detroit Red Wings Alumni, Bob gives his time as needed.
Bob is a father of two boys (young men) that often accompany him on his various missions.
Nancy Kohl
Secretary
Nancy Kohl was born and raised in the metro-Detroit area and currently lives there with her husband, Al. She is a proud mother of two boys that currently attend Michigan State University.
Nancy has been involved with the community her whole life. She began volunteering in the Troy School District when her kids began grade school in 2002, and recently celebrated her eighth year in the Troy Athens lunchroom. Her favorite time of the year is their ‘Charity Week’ where hundreds of thousands of dollars have been raised by the students, staff and surrounding community.
She also has volunteered for her church, the Believe in Miracles organization, and is currently the Secretary on the Executive Board for Elli’s House.