Valerie’s House Featured in FGCU’s Eagle News: A Moment of Pride & Purpose

We are deeply honored that Valerie’s House has been featured in Eagle News at Florida Gulf Coast University. The article highlights how students and volunteers are helping grieving children and families find comfort, connection and hope through our programs. Eagle Media+1
Being recognized in such a meaningful way — by a respected student-media outlet at a local university — is a testament to the impact of our mission and the dedication of our team and volunteers.

Why This Recognition Matters

• Visibility for our mission: Our core belief — No child will grieve alone — becomes stronger when our story reaches broader audiences. With this feature, more students, families, potential volunteers and partners will become aware of the support we offer.
• Encouraging student involvement: Eagle News highlights how FGCU students can volunteer with us, building leadership, emotional intelligence and community engagement. As the article states: “By volunteering, students can make a real impact on their community.” Eagle Media
• Highlighting program growth: The article points out our expansion across Florida — locations in Fort Myers, Naples, Charlotte County and Pensacola — and our plans to reach even more areas. Eagle Media
• Strengthening our network: This feature helps build our credibility and strengthens relationships with universities, community partners and donors who share our vision.

What the Article Covered & Our Response

In the Eagle News story, several key points were highlighted:

• Our Volunteer & Group Manager, Bobbie Santiago, spoke about expanding our Fort Myers location and possible outreach into Hendry County. Eagle Media
• Program Assistant Samantha Wesoly, who began as an intern, shared how working at Valerie’s House taught her that “grief is so different for everyone.” Eagle Media
• The article describes the range of our support groups for different age ranges — kindergarten through adults/caregivers — showing how our services adapt to developmental stages. Eagle Media
• The volunteer application process is explained: tours, selecting areas of support (maintenance, greeting, mentoring), background checks for direct child-engagement, and the possibility of forming close mentor-child bonds. Eagle Media

Our response: We celebrate the story, and recommit ourselves to the principles underlined: growth, community partnership, volunteer empowerment and sustained support for grieving families. We encourage everyone who reads the piece to consider how they might be part of our story — whether as volunteer, donor, partner or family in need of support.

How You Can Get Involved

If this feature inspired you, here are a few ways you can join us:

• Volunteer: We have roles ranging from group facilitators, mentors, dinner helpers, greeters/parking assistants, and event tablers. The article detailed how our volunteers build real-life skills while making a difference. • Eagle Media
• Support our expansion: With locations in Fort Myers, Naples, Charlotte County and Pensacola — and plans for additional areas — your support (time, funds, in-kind) helps us reach more children and families.
• Refer a family: If you know a child or family who has experienced the death of a loved one, we offer grief-support groups at no cost — because healing matters.
• Share our story: Post, share or link to the Eagle News article to help raise awareness. The more people know, the more children don’t feel alone in their grief.

A Heartfelt Thank-You

To Eagle News at FGCU: thank you for telling our story, for centering young people’s service in your piece, and for helping amplify the message that grief doesn’t have to isolate someone — and healing is possible.
To our volunteers, staff, community partners and donors: this feature belongs to you. Your time, compassion and support make it happen.
To the children and families we serve: this moment is for you. You inspire us daily.