Valerie’s House Receives Donation for New Home Grief support center for children will expand with new location
/December 9, 2022
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contacts:
Crista Brandt, Valerie’s House Pensacola,
850-266-0795, crista@valerieshouse.org
Valerie’s House Receives Donation for New Home
Grief support center for children will expand with a new location
Pensacola, Fla. – December 9, 2022 - Valerie’s House, a non-profit in Pensacola with the sole mission of helping children grieve the death of a family member, will expand into a new home thanks to the generosity of a donation from a Pensacola family foundation.
The Chadbourne Foundation has donated $500,000 for the purchase of the new Valerie’s House in Pensacola. The Chadbourne Foundation, under the leadership of Caroline and Brian DeMaria, made the donation after getting to know the mission when a family member and their child attended Valerie’s House support groups. Valerie’s House- The Chadbourne Foundation Home for Grieving Families will be located inside a cozy, historic home at 904 East Gadsden Street.
Chadbourne Foundation, statement
Valerie’s House- The Chadbourne Foundation Home for Grieving Families is the first free standing location in the region with its sole mission to offer ongoing grief support for children and adults at no cost to families. Valerie’s House is not a formalized counseling center, but a community and a platform for grieving families to come together and help each other through the grieving process. Valerie’s House is based on a national model and helps children share, connect, and build bonds with other kids their age. The program uses a variety of art, music and journaling activities. The vision of Valerie’s House is that no child will grieve alone.
Valerie’s House Pensacola founder Crista Brandt, whose own mother died when she was 11 years old, said the new home will allow the organization to help many more grieving children in a warm and inviting environment.
“We are very grateful for The Chadbourne Foundation’s generosity and their belief in our mission,” Brandt said. “This new home will be a game changer in how our community is able to help families heal after a death in their family and it is a dream come true for our families.”
Valerie’s House expanded into the panhandle in late 2020 with Brandt’s leadership and in less than two years, has helped more than 100 children and their families find connection and healing in one of their various peer support groups.
“When I was 11, my mother lost her battle with cancer. I didn’t know anyone that had a parent die or understand what I was dealing with,” Brandt said. “I held in my pain and it made it much worse for my family. It’s our mission to make sure no child ever has to grieve alone in our community.”
Valerie’s House Pensacola has been utilizing the Big Brothers Big Sisters building off Creighton Road since opening in 202 but has quickly outgrew the space.
Brandt says Valerie’s House is looking forward to the opportunities the new house will bring in helping grieving children and families in the community.
“We know grieving families need to be together and to have a place where they know they can be themselves and heal without judgement,” Brandt said. “That’s exactly what this home will be for our families. We are excited for the future.”
About Valerie’s House
Valerie’s House first opened its doors in 2016 in Fort Myers in a small cozy home and has followed with expansions into Naples, Port Charlotte, and now Pensacola, Florida. Valerie’s House was founded by Angela Melvin, whose mother Valerie, died in a car accident in 1987.
Valerie's House is a 501 © 3 non-profit and its Pensacola chapter is a United Way partner agency and fully supported by community donations. To learn more, please go to www.valerieshouse.org/pensacola or contact Crista Brandt at crista@valerieshouse.org.
