WGCU Shares the Stories of Two Valerie’s House Young Adults Starting at FGCU

Starting college brings a lot of change. For Allison Smith and Rebekah Martin, it also means moving forward without their dads.

The two Valerie’s House scholarship recipients shared their stories with WGCU for an August 28 episode of Southwest Florida In Focus. Both are attending Florida Gulf Coast University, and both spoke openly about how grief has shaped their experience of school and the future they’re building.

Allison’s dad died after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. She told WGCU how hard it was to put her feelings into words, especially when talking about his death made it feel more real.

Rebekah’s dad died from Parkinson’s disease. His illness affected her senior year, and she struggled to feel excited about college even after she was accepted. Now studying occupational therapy at FGCU, she hopes to help people like him. In the story, she shows WGCU a Bible he left for her and talks about the milestones she wishes he could be there to see.

Their stories are personal, and we’re grateful Allison and Rebekah chose to share them. Grief can follow a young person into classrooms, dorm rooms and big life moments. Hearing from someone who understands can make those moments feel less lonely.

The episode also includes an interview with our Director of Programs, Keri Tutterrow. She talks about the peer support groups at Valerie’s House, where children, young adults and families can connect with others who have experienced a death. She also reminds viewers that grief looks different for everyone, and that listening without judgment is one way to support someone who is grieving.

Thank you to WGCU for giving Allison and Rebekah the space to tell their stories.

Watch the WGCU episode here (the Valerie’s House feature begins around the 12-minute mark):

https://www.pbs.org/video/southwest-florida-in-focus-episode-358-august-28th-2026-aqszkn

SEO description: WGCU features Valerie’s House scholarship recipients Allison Smith and Rebekah Martin as they begin a new school year at FGCU while grieving their dads.