Helping Schools Support Grieving Students
No child should have to grieve alone, and thanks to our partnerships with schools, they don’t have to. Valerie’s House is proud to work alongside educators, counselors, and administrators to ensure students who are grieving the death of a loved one receive the care and support they need.
Whether you are a school seeking group grief support for students, a staff needing guidance after a loss in your school community, or an educator looking for grief education, we are here to help.
On-Campus Peer Grief Support Groups
Bringing Healing Directly to Students
Valerie’s House offers on-site grief support groups in elementary, middle, and high schools throughout Lee, Collier, Charlotte & Sarasota counties. These peer-based groups are designed for students who have experienced the death of a parent, sibling, or other significant loved one.
In each session, students explore topics such as:
- Identifying and expressing feelings
- Sharing memories
- Building coping skills
- Developing resilience through connection with peers
Groups are facilitated by trained staff from Valerie’s House and coordinated with school counselors or staff
to best meet students’ schedules and needs.
Grief Presentations for School Faculty & Staff
Equipping Educators to Support Grieving Students
Grief can be difficult to navigate—not just for students, but for the adults around them. Valerie’s House offers educational grief presentations tailored to your school’s needs.
Our 30–45 minute presentations are designed to:
- Increase awareness of how grief impacts students
- Provide practical strategies for supporting grieving children in the classroom
- Offer school personnel space to ask questions and share concerns
We recommend that schools provide a projector and screen for the presentation.
If you are interested in starting a grief group in your school, contact Molly Buck, School Group Coordinator, molly@valerieshouse.org, 239-841-4825.
Grief Sensitive Schools Initiative
A National Opportunity for Local Schools
The New York Life Foundation’s Grief Sensitive Schools Initiative (GSSI) is a nationally recognized designation for schools across the United States. The GSSI requires a presentation to 5 or more school personnel for them to become more grief-sensitive and informed and gain more awareness. After the presentation, school personnel can apply for a $500 grant to enhance their ability to offer grief-related resources.
To learn more about The New York Life Foundation’s Grief Sensitive Schools Initiative, please check out the website: https://grievingstudents.org/gssi/
Partner With Us
Ready to Bring a Group to Your School?
Whether you’re a teacher, counselor, principal, or school social worker, Valerie’s House is your partner in grief support. Let’s work together to ensure every grieving child in your school community feels seen, supported, and never alone.
Contact us to learn more or schedule a school-based grief group:
Charlotte & Sarasota Counties:
amy.huddelston@valerieshouse.org
Collier County:
mylissa@valerieshouse.org
Lee County:
molly@valerieshouse.org
How You Can Get Involved
Contribute
Your financial gift will help Valerie’s House serve children and families. Donate and support our mission. Thank you.
Care
Join us. Volunteer your time and talents to Valerie’s House. Fill out the contact form today.
Connect
Like and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube, TikTok, and LinkedIn. Help spread the word, follow our progress, and share with family and friends. We also produce a podcast called Grieve Love Heal, which you can follow and subscribe to on your favorite podcast apps.
