Valerie's House Welcomes Community for Open House

MEDIA ADVISORY

Valerie's House Welcomes Community for Open House

Nonprofit organization hosts events for families, volunteers, and supporters.

FORT MYERS, Fla. (March 30, 2021) – Valerie’s House, the only organization of its kind in Southwest Florida with the sole mission of helping children grieve the loss of a loved one, is hosting an open house at its historic Fort Myers home to welcome potential new families, volunteers, mentors, and community supporters interested in learning more. Valerie’s House families, staff, and board members will be onsite to give tours of the grief center, demonstrations of how grief support groups run, and share more about the programs available for children and families who have lost a loved one. Attendees are welcome to tour the home in small groups while wearing masks and maintaining safe social distancing. Tours will end outside and behind the house, where attendees can meet members of the Valerie’s House family, enjoy light refreshments, and learn more about getting involved.

What: Valerie’s House Spring Open House Event

When: Saturday, April 10 from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Where: Valerie’s House Fort Myers, 1762 Fowler St., Fort Myers, FL 33901. Parking is limited. Overflow parking is available across the street at the Lee County Tax Collector's Office (2480 Thompson St, Fort Myers, FL 33901).

Photo Ops: Tours of Valerie’s House and the grief support rooms, children and families leading tours, children playing outside in Valerie’s House’s outdoor play area.

Interview Ops: Angela Melvin, Founder and CEO of Valerie's House; Amy Strom, Director of Partnerships and Clinical Support, families, board members.

Why: 1 in 8 children in Southwest Florida will lose a parent or sibling before they turn 25.  Right now, there are more than 20,000 children estimated in the region grieving, whether related to COVID-19 or other illnesses and causes of death.  Valerie's House provides ongoing peer grief support groups for children and families at no cost. Events like this help reach more families who need grief support. 

For more information, contact Valerie’s House Communications Coordinator & Executive Assistant Alexa Nargi at alexa@valerieshouse.org or 239-692-0764.

Valerie’s House was founded by Angela Melvin in 2016 and is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides grief support services to children and their families at its Fort Myers, Punta Gorda, and Naples locations. As the first and only grief support program in Southwest Florida focused solely on helping children grieve, Valerie’s House provides a safe, comfortable place for children to bond, grieve, and heal together following the death of a family member. Valerie’s House is a United Way partner agency that is supported by generous donations from the community.

For more information, or to enroll in programs, volunteer, or donate, visit www.ValeriesHouse.org or email info@ValeriesHouse.org.                                                                          
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