Valerie's House-Charlotte County to Host "Celebrating Charlotte"

Sponsors and vendors sought for July 30 event

PORT CHARLOTTE, FLA., May 3, 2022 – Valerie’s House is hosting its first-ever fundraising event in Charlotte County on July 30 to raise funds to support Charlotte County children grieving the loss of loved ones.

“Celebrating Charlotte: Celebrating What Makes This Home” is the theme of the fund-raiser planned at the Charlotte Harbor Event & Conference Center from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Organizers are planning a day of food samples from some of Charlotte County’s best restaurants, select local brewery tastings, fashion, and shopping in the marketplace for unique creations and hand-made items. 

Dillard’s will present a fashion show and provide mini make-up makeovers.

“We want this to be a day all about Charlotte County and what makes this such a great place to live,” said Christine Carey, director of the Charlotte County Valerie’s House. 

Burnt Store Title & Escrow of Southwest Florida has signed on as the presenting sponsor of the event.  Other sponsorships are available from $3,000 to $5,000 by contacting Carey at 239-841-0381 or emailing her at christine@valerieshouse.org.

“We’re also looking for vendors who want to showcase their products.  Specifically, we are encouraging restaurants, breweries, crafts, salons, home-good stores, women’s clothing stores, and more to get involved,” Carey said.

Vendor space is available for $125 or $75 plus a donated auction basket.  A 50/50 drawing also will be conducted.

General admission tickets are $25, with children ages five and younger admitted free with one paying adult.  VIP tickets are $35 each and entitle the purchaser to shop one hour before the doors officially open.  Tickets are on sale at www.valerieshouse.org/events

All funds raised at the event will be used to support the programming costs of Valerie’s House in Charlotte County, including materials for group nights and school groups, staff for group nights, counseling services, legal, financial, and food assistance for grieving children and families. All services are offered free of charge to grieving families.

Valerie’s House, which is headquartered in Fort Myers, has provided grief support services to 245 Charlotte County children and 76 caregivers since its opening in Charlotte County in 2019.  Grief support groups are offered at 1st United Methodist Church in Punta Gorda and Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Port Charlotte, with additional services offered at the Family Services Center in Port Charlotte.

Valerie’s House was founded in 2016 by Angela Melvin, whose own mother was killed in a car accident in 1987, and has expanded to include locations in Fort Myers and Naples as well as Punta Gorda and Port Charlotte.

One in eight children in Florida is predicted to lose a parent or sibling before the age of 25, according to the 2021 Childhood Bereavement Estimation Model.

Valerie's House is fully supported by community donations.

About Valerie’s House

Valerie’s House opened in January 2016 and has served more than 2,000 children and their families from Charlotte, Sarasota, Glades, Lee, Hendry, and Collier counties, as well as the Florida panhandle. The organization provides a safe, comfortable place for children to share, grieve and heal together following the death of a close family member. Valerie’s House has five locations: 1762 Fowler St. in downtown Fort Myers, 819 Myrtle Terrace in Naples, and grief support groups meetings at 1st United Methodist Church at 507 West Marion Ave. in Punta Gorda and Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 2565 Tamiami Trail, in Port Charlotte. Support services also are available at the Charlotte Family Services Center at 21500 Gibralter Drive in Port Charlotte.  For more information, visit www.valerieshouse.org

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Supporters Raise $1 Million for a Permanent Home for Valerie's House

FOR MORE INFO:

Norman & Mary Love                                       ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀          Susan Bennett, APR, CPRC

Norman Love Confections                                         ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ Susan Bennett Marketing & Media 

239-561-7215                                                           ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀   (239) 277-5255

mary@normanloveconfections.com                      ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀    sbennett@susanbennett.biz

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SUPPORTERS RAISE $1 MILLION

FOR A PERMANENT HOME FOR VALERIE’S HOUSE

FORT MYERS, FLA., April 8, 2022 – Supporters of Valerie’s House tore down the walls of grief and built up the walls of Love at the capital campaign fund-raiser hosted April 7 by Norman and Mary Love and Elaine and Fred Hawkins.

A total of $1 million was raised for the new forever home of Valerie’s House to be built on Veronica Shoemaker Boulevard in Fort Myers. A total of $2.5 million has now been raised toward the $3 million goal.

“Norman and I have always believed in the mission of Valerie’s House and Angela Melvin’s passion.  To be able to witness the evolution of a child grieving into a child thriving is unbelievable,” said Mary Love.

In addition to providing a safe place for children and their families to grieve, the new 7,000-square-foot home also will allow Valerie’s House to help more children and provide wrap-around services, such as individual grief counseling to support families who desperately need it.

A $500,000 challenge grant from David and Linda Lucas was matched by Creighton Construction & Development in December for a total of $1 million toward the campaign.  The City of Fort Myers donated land for the new home with a $1 per year lease.

Additional major sponsors of the Valerie’s House Forever Home include the Clark Family Foundation, Bob and Christa Huseby, the Jordan Ashley Gutheim Foundation, Sanibel-Captiva Community Bank, Unto the Least of These Foundation in honor of John Sheppard, Victory Layne Chevrolet, Christina Schwinn, Linda and Angela DePardo, Gayle Rosemann, the Galeana Foundation, the Gerner Family Charitable Fund, Boots Tolles and the Verrill Foundation.

Guests nibbled on appetizers donated by area restaurants and spirits while viewing artwork created by the children of Valerie’s House.  Food was donated and prepared by Harold’s Cuisine, Crave, Blu Sushi and Norman Love Confections.

Valerie’s House has helped more than 2,000 children and their families since its founding in 2016 by Angela Melvin, whose own mother was killed in a car accident in 1987.

One in eight children in Florida is predicted to lose a parent or sibling before the age of 25, according to the 2021 Childhood Bereavement Estimation Model.

Valerie’s House currently offers peer support groups and other activities at locations in Fort Myers, Naples, Punta Gorda, and Port Charlotte. Valerie's House is a United Way partner agency and is fully supported by community donations.

For more information about Valerie’s House or to make a donation to the Forever Home Campaign, visit www.valerieshouseswfl.org/capital-campaign, call 239-478-6734, or write angela@valerieshouseswfl.org. 

About Valerie’s House

Valerie’s House opened in January 2016 and has served more than 2,000 children and their families from Lee, Collier, Charlotte, and Hendry counties. The organization provides a safe, comfortable place for children to share, grieve and heal together following the death of a close family member. Valerie’s House has three locations: 1762 Fowler St. in downtown Fort Myers, 819 Myrtle Terrace in Naples and group therapy meetings at First United Methodist Church in Punta Gorda.  For more information, visit www.valerieshouse.org

A Path for Hope: Fort Myers concert promotes suicide awareness with 15 bands

News-Press

Charles Runnells

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Fritz Caraher didn’t know what to say when his friend’s son died of suicide last May.

Words failed him.

So instead of words, Caraher and other friends decided to take action. The result: A suicide-awareness concert Sunday featuring both national and local musical acts.

“It really started with I didn’t have any words,” says Caraher, a Fort Myers chef, musician and occasional concert promoter. “What do you say to a good friend who just lost their child?

“And having done fundraisers in the past, I didn’t know what to say but I did know what I could do. And that’s to try to help other families and people.”

Fifteen bands will perform at the Path For Hope concert at Fort Myers’ Pickle-N-Pub, including headliners Rob Snyder (a Nashville songwriter and a longtime friend of Caraher’s) and Dave Hause (a Philadelphia singer-songwriter who Caraher calls “a punk rock legend").

A portion of the concert's proceeds will go to Valerie's House, a Fort Myers nonprofit that provides free counseling and other services for children grieving the death of a loved one. The children's bereavement center started a separate group last year to help families left behind after suicide.

Suicide rates have increased by 35 percent since 1999, according to the CDC and the National Institute on Mental Health. So it’s important to talk about it, says Angela Melvin, CEO and founder of Valerie’s House.

“Suicide is all around us,” Melvin says. “It happens much more often than people realize.

“I think that anytime you can say the word ‘suicide,’ it’s important. It’s the truth. It’s what happens. We need to talk about it, and it needs to be brought up.”

That’s exactly what will happen during the Path for Hope concert. People will talk about suicide prevention onstage, including Melvin and emcee Caraher. Plus there will be tents where people can find information on warning signs, where to get help and more.

Then, of course, there's the music. The lineup includes:

• Rob Snyder, a Nashville songwriter whose country songs include Luke Combs’ “She Got The Best Of Me” and “Six Feet Apart."

• Dave Hause, a Philadelphia-based folk/rock singer-songwriter who performs both solo and with his band The Mermaid. He's played in many Philadelphia punk and hardcore bands, including The Loved Ones and The Falcon.

• Lower Case Blues, a popular Delaware blues band.

• Ocean Roads, a Fort Myers band whose original lineup is reuniting for the show. It's the first time they’ve played in about a decade.

• Last Man Standing, a local rock band that's also reuniting for the show.

• Robby Hutto & The Absent Minded, an acoustic-rock band from Alabama.

• Students from Fort Myers’ School of Rock.

• And The Camaros, a rock trio from Iona.

Connecticut resident Jimmy Lariviere will be onstage, too, reuniting with Last Man Standing and Ocean Roads — two bands he hasn’t performed with since leaving Southwest Florida about a decade ago. He’s looking forward to that reunion, he says, but admits it’ll be a bittersweet moment.

It was the death of Lariviere’s 27-year-old son, Chance, that inspired Caraher to start the concert in the first place. And the pain is still fresh, Lariviere admits.

He hopes the concert can help spare other people that pain. If the show and the information it's spreading can save one life, he says, he’ll consider it a success.

Maybe someone in the audience will recognize the warning signs in someone they love, for example. Or they'll end up seeking counseling services, themselves.

“There are signs,” Lariviere says. “There are things that they can look for. They should take things seriously. They should address things that are said.”

About 45,980 people died of suicide in 2020, according to the CDC. That’s almost 50,000 people in one year, Lariviere says.

He finds that number staggering.

“It’s 130 people a day," he says. "That’s a city of 50,000 people in a year. Imagine going to a city with 50,000 people, and you go back the next year and it’s empty.”

For warning signs and tips on how to help someone thinking about suicide, see below.

If you or someone you know is in a crisis, call the 24-hour National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255). Or call 911 immediately.

Connect with this reporter: Charles Runnells is an arts and entertainment reporter for The News-Press and the Naples Daily News. Email him at crunnells@gannett.com or connect on Facebook (facebook.com/charles.runnells.7), Twitter (@charlesrunnells) and Instagram (@crunnells1).

If you go

What: Path For Hope concert

When: Noon to 10 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 20

Where: Pickle-N-Pub, 15455 Old McGregor Blvd., Fort Myers

Admission: Free with a $20 suggested donation

Info: valerieshouse.org/events

To donate: bit.ly/3oDB3wk

Suicide warning signs:

• Talking about wanting to die or kill themselves

• Looking for a way to kill themselves, like searching online or buying a gun

• Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live

• Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain

• Talking about being a burden to others

• Increasing the use of alcohol or drugs

• Acting anxious or agitated; behaving recklessly

• Sleeping too little or too much

• Withdrawing or isolating themselves

• Showing rage or talking about seeking revenge

• Extreme mood swings

SOURCE: Suicide Prevention Lifeline (suicidepreventionlifeline.org)

What you can do to prevent suicide

Here are some things you can do if you're concerned about a friend or loved one:

• Ask if they're thinking about suicide. While people may be hesitant to ask, research shows this is helpful.

• Keep them safe. Reduce access to lethal means for those at risk.

• Be there with them. Listen to what they need.

• Help them connect with ongoing support.

• Stay connected. Follow up to see how they’re doing

If you need help for yourself or someone else, contact the Suicide Prevention Lifeline call 1-800-273-8255 or chat online at suicidepreventionlifeline.org.

SOURCE: CDC and American Psychiatric Association

Link: https://www.news-press.com/story/entertainment/2022/02/14/fort-myers-suicide-prevention-concert-raising-money-valeries-house-path-for-hope-fundraiser/9317475002/

Eleven-Year-Old Talks About Life After Losing His Dad

Ryan comes to group nights at Valerie's House with his mother and younger sister. They are a Monday night Fort Myers family looking to heal after their loss.

Thirteen-Year-Old Helps Other Girls Who Have Lost Their Mom

Mia regularly attends group nights at Valerie's House. She has come a long way since her mother died in a car accident three years ago.

Sand Tray Therapy Helps Grieving Children at Valerie's House

New therapy using sand helps grieving children at Valerie’s House

    ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎February 2, 2022

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                          

 Media Contacts:

Angela Melvin, Founder & CEO                       ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎    ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎    ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎    ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎    ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎    ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎    ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎    ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎    ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎    ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎    ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎Susan Bennett, APR, CPRC

Valerie’s House                                                  ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎    ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎    ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎    ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎    ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎    ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎    ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎    ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎    ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎    ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎    ‏‏ Susan Bennett Marketing & Media

239-204-5804                                               ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎    ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎    ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎    ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎    ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎    ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎    ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎    ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎    ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎    ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎    ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏      (239) 277-5255

angela@valerieshouseswfl.org                            ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎    ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎    ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎    ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎    ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎    ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎    ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎    ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎    ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎  ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎    ‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ ‎‏‏‎ sbennett@susanbennett.biz

New therapy using sand helps grieving children at Valerie’s House

Children express their emotions inside miniature sand boxes

FORT MYERS, Fla. – February 2, 2022 – Playing in the sand is no longer limited to the Southwest Florida beaches for children at Valerie’s House. The nonprofit that helps children grieve the death of a loved one is now specialized in a new kind of play therapy, called Sand Tray Therapy. 

The new approach to counseling for Valerie’s House allows children to use sand and miniature figurines to express their emotions.

“We’re very excited to offer this kind of counseling to our children,” said Valerie’s House founder and CEO Angela Melvin. “This approach could be the very experience that allows us to have a breakthrough with a grieving child.”

The clinical team at Valerie’s House has spent hundreds of hours learning Sand Tray Therapy, traveling to various conferences around the state, with a goal of bringing the therapeutic specialty to the Southwest Florida grieving community. Sand tray Therapy allows the child to build a world of their own in a box of sand that sits on a table.  The children pick from a variety of miniature figurines to incorporate into the tray and arranges them however they would like.

“The miniatures have special, symbolic meaning to the children who choose them,” Melvin said. “The child may create a world that represents their internal struggles or trauma.  When they are ready, the child will share with our therapist about the tray or the world they created and they process its meaning together.”

Valerie’s House child Bruce began coming to Valerie’s House joining the “littles” grief support group just months after his mother’s loss. In addition to a support group with other elementary school children, Bruce began seeing a Valerie’s House trained mental health counselor to begin Sand Tray Therapy.

“It’s quite remarkable to see the amount of change in his behavior,” said counselor Heather Payne. “He has stopped having as many outbursts at school and he can talk more about his mother.”

Valerie’s House offers counseling including Sand Tray Therapy, as well as peer grief support groups to children and families for free, as the organization believes cost should never be a barrier to healing.

One in eight children in Florida is predicted to lose a parent or sibling before the age of 25, according to the 2021 Childhood Bereavement Estimation Model.

Since its opening in 2016, Valerie’s House has helped more than 2,000 children grieve the loss of loved one.

Valerie’s House currently offers peer support groups and other activities at locations in Fort Myers, Naples, Punta Gorda, and Port Charlotte. Valerie's House is a United Way partner agency and is fully supported by community donations. More information can be found at www.valerieshouse.org.

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Zach Stands Up For Other Grieving Kids

Zach has been coming to Valerie's House since the recent death of his father to COVID-19. He wants other kids to know that they are not alone in their grief.

Valerie’s House Gives Rise to Hopes and Dreams

Watch this video of our Valerie's House- Naples children talk about their hopes for the future. It's important that we remind our kids that loss doesn't have to limit their dreams. We will always be here for our families to ensure they are never alone in their grief.

Naples Winter Wine Festival donors get to meet the kids they’re helping

WINK News

Reporter: Sydney Persing
Writer: Drew Hill

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Naples Winter Wine Festival donors are getting the chance to meet the children their money directly impacts. The event benefits charities within the Naples Children and Education Foundation. And 100% of those donations stay within Collier County.

There are adorable children under the big white tent amongst the sea of adults. Each of them benefits from the charity that the Naples Winter Wine Festival supports.

Meet Josh Wolfson is one of the children that says the charity has helped him. But he’s also an athlete. ” I play tennis, paddleboarding, and basketball,” said Wolfson. With a tennis racket in hand and a gold medal around his neck, John speaks enthusiastically about all that Special Olympics has done for him.

“I don’t really know what I would be using a lot of my time for. I just really do enjoy and really do like Special Olympics, and I’m really happy to be here today,” he said.

“The other kids there are really nice. And I made a lot of nice friends doing Special Olympics,” said Josh.

This is what “Meet The Kids” Day is all about. All of the festival’s donors and patrons get the opportunity to meet people like Josh, Makenzie, and Landon. These donors see how these tiny faces benefit directly from the money the Naples Winter Wine Festival and Auction brings in.

Landon likes Batman…a lot. “He has grappling hooks and he can fly!” he said. But he’s not the real hero in Landon’s life. Sydney Esquibel works with Better Together. ”His mom is his hero,” Esquibel said.

Landon and his mother are part of Better Together, a nonprofit that works to keep children and parents together and children out of foster care. This is another charity that the Naples Winter Wine Festival supports.

During “Meet the Kids” Day, Landon has been going around saying hi to every. “Landon’s been so excited. He’s been, you know, saying hi to everyone handing out our flyers. And I think to be able to actually see the children in all of these organizations that they’re able to help it just really makes a difference,” said Esquibel.

Laina Kennedy is one of the Naples Winter Wine Festival’s many patrons. “One of the first people I met walking in was a child. And he was telling me about how his dream is to be a doctor and how everything this organization is doing to support that. And it was just so heartwarming to hear,” said Kennedy.

Mackenzie Srancois told everyone about Valerie’s House and how it has helped her. Valerie’s House provides grief support for children and adolescents. “My mom died two years ago,” Mackenzie said. “I’m able to express how I felt. Because I feel like I can’t really talk to my friends about it because you know like they haven’t like gone through something I have.”

“And so it’s nice to kind of see that you’re the only one that those kids who understand and kids relate to you,” said Mackenzie.

Paul Hill is the chairman of the board of directors for the festival. “They can physically see the children and the impact that they’re having on the children. That’s the endgame. I believe that in my heart,” Hill said. 

And, in the hearts of these children, they can feel and see so many people cheering them on.

The charities help pay for meals, dental care, mental health care, and education for these children.

Link: https://www.winknews.com/2022/01/28/naples-winter-wine-festival-donors-get-to-the-meet-kids-theyre-helping/

Valerie's House Teen Helps Others Grieve

Check out this video from Alexis, who is a Valerie's House teen.

She started coming to group night after the loss of her grandmother in 2020. Alexis plans to graduate from Mariner High School in the spring and recently started working with our grief support groups as a buddy. She created this video in hopes of receiving a scholarship to pursue higher education. We are so proud of Alexis for her hard work and dedication to the children of Valerie's House.

Valerie’s House Receives $500,000 Challenge Grant To Kick Off Capital Campaign

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                          

 Media Contacts:

Angela Melvin, Founder & CEO                             Susan Bennett, APR, CPRC

Valerie’s House                                                       Susan Bennett Marketing & Media          

239-204-5804                                                       (239) 277-5255

angela@valerieshouseswfl.org                              sbennett@susanbennett.biz

FORT MYERS, Fla. – December 9, 2021 – A $500,000 challenge grant has been awarded to Valerie’s House as the cornerstone of a $3 million capital campaign to help the non-profit organization build a permanent home and expand grief support services for children.

The challenge grant was awarded by philanthropists David and Linda Lucas, who have been long-time supporters of Valerie’s House.  The non-profit has one year to raise funds to match the $500,000, according to Valerie’s House Founder and CEO Angela Melvin.

“We are very grateful for the generosity of David and Linda Lucas, who are passionate about helping others.  David lost his own father at a very young age and would have been a Valerie’s House child himself, if our program had existed then,” Melvin said.

David Lucas and Angela Melvin

Valerie’s House is halfway toward its goal of raising $3 million, but Melvin said the $500,000 challenge grant is in addition to what has already been raised so any new monies collected between now and the end of 2022 will go toward the match.

“There is some urgency to have funds pledged as soon as possible so that we don’t lose this wonderful challenge grant opportunity.  End of the year giving is especially appreciated,” she said.

The new Valerie’s House location will be built on a one-acre parcel donated by the City of Fort Myers on Veronica Shoemaker Boulevard near Winkler Road.

The 7,000 square foot facility will include healing rooms, therapy rooms, and a volcano room with punching bags and other tools to allow children to release tension and anger in a healthy and safe way.  A memorial wall will commemorate loved ones who have died and outdoor space will be designed for both reflection and fun.

“The Valerie’s House Forever Home will be a special place for all grieving children in Southwest Florida to connect with one another and learn the tools to heal after they have experienced the loss of someone they love,” Melvin said.

The new home also will serve as the administrative headquarters for Valerie’s House and will allow the non-profit to expand and reach the growing number of children who need help.

Sponsorship and room-naming opportunities are available throughout the two-story home, ranging from $5,000 to $100,000.  To review the sponsorship opportunities and see a 3D animation of the new home, visit https://valerieshouse.org/capital-campaign

One in nine children in Florida is predicted to lose a parent or sibling before the age of 21, according to the 2020 Childhood Bereavement Estimation Model.

Since its opening in 2016, Valerie’s House has helped almost 2,000 children grieve the loss of loved one.

Valerie’s House currently offers support groups and other activities at a home on 1762 Fowler Street in Fort Myers and a home in Naples at 819 Myrtle Terrace. Valerie's House also holds group meetings at First United Methodist Church in Punta Gorda. Valerie's House is a United Way partner agency and is fully supported by community donations.  More information can be found at www.valerieshouse.org.

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Valerie’s House receives large donation, hopes to build new home

WINK News

Reporter: Amanda Hall

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A Southwest Florida nonprofit received a large donation on Thursday.

Valerie’s House was given a $500,000 check to help them serve the children in the area who could be grieving the loss of a loved one.

The donation is from Creighton Construction and Development.

Dan Creighton presented the check to Valerie’s House’s Angela Melvin.

“When I lost my mom in 1987 I was only 10 years old and there was nothing in this community,” Melvin said. “I was very alone. I went back to school alone and it’s just the last thing we ever want kids to go through so, with Dan’s help, they’ll never have to be alone in this community.”

The nonprofit has outgrown its house on Fowler Street and they plan to build a bigger and better home at Veronica Shoemaker and Winkler Road.

“There’s going to be awesome rooms where they can express themselves,” Melvin said. “For example, there’ll be a room with just a bunch of punching bags and kick and punch their anger out because a lot of kids do feel angry and that’s OK.”

Melvin plans to name a room after Creighton’s mother.

Creighton hopes his donation will encourage others to donate for Valerie’s House, which hopes to raise $3 million.

Link: https://www.winknews.com/2021/12/16/valeries-house-receives-large-donation/

Valerie’s House Hosts Podcast, Open House In Honor of National Children’s Grief Awareness Day

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                          

Valerie’s House Hosts Podcast, Open House

In Honor of National Children’s Grief Awareness Day

FORT MYERS, Fla. – November 9, 2021 – Valerie’s House, a nonprofit organization in Southwest Florida helping children grieve, is hosting a podcast and two open houses Thursday, Nov. 18, in honor of National Children’s Grief Awareness Day.

The podcast, which will become a monthly event, will feature Angela Melvin in the debut episode with a personal interview in which she shares her own experience of childhood grief after losing her mother in a tragic car accident.  Melvin will reveal details never before shared and the challenges of making her dream for Valerie’s House a reality as well as what she has learned along the way. Listen to the episode here: https://www.buzzsprout.com/571363/9558526

The podcast “Grieve. Love. Health” can be heard on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

“November is also National Children’s Grief Awareness Month so we will be posting several stories, videos and podcasts to help others understand the plight grieving families face,” Melvin said.  “It is an exciting national movement and we are relieved there are others who are finally joining with us in this conversation, when for so many years, children’s grief was not something people acknowledged.”

Valerie’s House is encouraging residents on social media to change their profile image during the month to the Children’s Grief Awareness ribbon.

“Even if for just a day, a week, or the entire month, it will no doubt cause people to pause and question what it may be like to lose someone you love when you are a child,” Melvin said.

To commemorate National Children’s Grief Awareness Month, Valerie’s House is inviting professionals and others who work with children to tour the two locations in Fort Myers and Naples during Thursday, Nov. 18.  The Fort Myers open house will be from 9 a.m to 5 p.m.at 1762 Fowler Street.  The Naples open house will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 819 Myrtle Terrace.

During the open houses, guests will meet the Valerie’s House team, tour the different healing rooms, learning about the referral process and find out how to best comfort a grieving child.  To attend either open house, please RSVP to Amy@valerieshouse.org

One in nine children in Florida is predicted to lose a parent or sibling before the age of 21, according to the 2020 Childhood Bereavement Estimation Model.

Since its opening in 2016, Valerie’s House has helped more than 1,000 children grieve the loss of loved one.

Valerie’s House provides a safe, comfortable place for children and their families to heal together following the death of someone they love. Valerie’s House offers support groups and other activities at a home on 1762 Fowler Street in Fort Myers and a home in Naples at 819 Myrtle Terrace. Valerie's House also holds group meetings at First United Methodist Church in Punta Gorda. Valerie's House is a United Way partner agency and is fully supported by community donations.  More information can be found at www.valerieshouse.org.

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Community Foundation announces Southwest Florida's top 30 nonprofit executives of 2021

News-Press

Michael Chatman - The Community Foundation

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The Community Foundation, previously known as the Cape Coral Community Foundation, is a global center for generosity, and one of Southwest Florida’s most active grantmaking charitable foundations. The Community Foundation is the voice and the choice of 4,700 nonprofits in Southwest Florida with a combined workforce of 32,500 employees that generate $3.6 billion in annual revenue.

Every year, the Community Foundation honors and celebrates the top 30 nonprofit executives in Southwest Florida. The influential and inspiring leaders are some of the region’s most effective decision-makers and power influencers.

Managing a nonprofit, let alone innovating new ideas, is a tall order. Mastering that balance between sustainability and change is why these top 30 nonprofit CEO power influencers need to be recognized and honored.

Each of the influencers has been identified and confirmed by peers as being a top achiever and community builder who performs their duties with integrity and honesty and makes a substantial impact in Southwest Florida.

These exceptional achievers have a proven track record in the charitable sector while also dedicating their time, talent, and treasure to leading transformational change to enrich the community. This honor was established by the South Florida CEO Network, an initiative of The Community Foundation, and the Nonprofit Education Grantmaking Fund, as part of a larger vision of nonprofit leader appreciation, recognition, and cultivating a culture of regional generosity.

More: Commentary: Cape Community Foundation helps small nonprofits build greater Southwest Florida

The nonprofit executives highlighted here have distinguished themselves as initiators, innovators, and leaders. One important standard to be selected is the honoree must be a working day-in, day-out executive. In many cases this year day-in, day-out was 24/7/365 and still going.

The 2021 honorees were selected from a group of roughly 200 top executives. Surveys were sent to business and community leaders to determine who should make this year’s list. This is not a lifetime achievement award. The executives must have had an impact during the previous 12 months. Each honoree will receive a special award of appreciation, featured in media releases and news outlets, as well as attend a private VIP reception, sponsored by Regions Bank.

Wendy Fullerton-Powell, News Director, News-Press/USA Today, will share an informative presentation on how to get the attention of newsroom decision-makers to promote their organizations, which can lead to more visibility, credibility, and charitable donations.

The private, invitation-only awards ceremony will be held on Dec. 9 from 4-6 p.m. at the Luminary Hotel, 2200 Edwards Drive, Fort Myers.

Here is the complete list of The Community Foundation's Top 30 Nonprofit Executives of 2021:

• Dr. Michael Martin, President, Florida Gulf Coast University

• Dr. Roger Nutt, President, Ave Maria University

• Paul Hiltz, President, NCH Health System

 • Dr. Larry Antonucci, President, Lee Health

 • Dr. Samira Beckwith, President, Hope Healthcare

 • Dr. Carol Rae Culliton, Founder, Brotherhood of Heroes Resource Center & Museum

 • Erin McLeod, President, Senior Friendship Centers

 • John Nadeau, President Goodwill Industries of SWFL

• Norma Adorno, President, Area Agency on Aging of SWFL

 • Dawn Montecalvo, President, Guadalupe Center

 • Noemi Perez, President, Immokalee Foundation

 • Richard Leber, President, Harry Chapin Food Bank

 • David Erickson, President, ECHO

 • Jeff Metzger, President, New International

 • Lara Fisher, President, Grace Place for Children & Families

 • Jaime Suanez, Executive Director, Rist Family Foundation

 • Lee Ellen Harder, Executive Director, Big Arts Sanibel Island

 • Maggi Feiner, President, F.I.S.H. of SANCAP

 • Megan McCarthy Beauvais, President, Boys & Girls Club of Naples

 • Dan Shoemaker, President, Reciprocal Ministries, International

 • Abdul Muhammed, President, Quality Life Center

 • Laura Ragain, Executive Director, Ronald McDonald House of SWFL

 • Ryan Orgera, President, Sanibel Captiva Conservation Foundation

 • Linda Oberhaus, President, Shelter for Abused Women & Children

 • John Martin, Managing Director, Florida Repertory Theatre

 • Stefanie Ink Edwards, President, Community Cooperative

 • Angela Melvin, President, Valerie’s House

 • Angel Cerritos, Executive Director, Bonita Springs YMCA

 • Lynne Thorp, Executive Director, The Dubin Center

• Jennifer Cellitti, Executive Director, PACE Center for Girls, Lee County

Michael Chatman is president & CEO of The Community Foundation, the global center for generosity, and can be reached at cccf@capecoralcf.org, on Twitter @michaelchatman. The Community Foundation is located at 1405 SE 47th Terrace, Unit 2, Cape Coral. For information, call 239-542-5594.

Link: https://www.news-press.com/story/news/local/cape-coral/2021/11/15/community-foundation-announces-southwest-floridas-top-30-nonprofit-executives-2021/6386397001/

Valerie’s House hosts podcast, open house for Children’s Grief Awareness Day

Florida Weekly

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Valerie’s House, a nonprofit organization in Southwest Florida helping children grieve, is hosting a podcast and two open houses Thursday, Nov. 18, in honor of National Children’s Grief Awareness Day.

The podcast, which will become a monthly event, will feature Angela Melvin in the debut episode with a personal interview in which she shares her own experience of childhood grief after losing her mother in a tragic car accident. Ms. Melvin will reveal details never before shared and the challenges of making her dream for Valerie’s House a reality as well as what she has learned along the way.

The podcast “Grieve. Love. Heal.” can be heard on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.

“November is also National Children’s Grief Awareness Month so we will be posting several stories, videos and podcasts to help others understand the plight grieving families face,” Ms. Melvin said. “It is an exciting national movement and we are relieved there are others who are finally joining with us in this conversation, when for so many years, children’s grief was not something people acknowledged.”

Valerie’s House is encouraging residents on social media to change their profile image during the month to the Children’s Grief Awareness ribbon.

To commemorate National Children’s Grief Awareness Month, Valerie’s House is inviting professionals and others who work with children to tour the two locations in Fort Myers and Naples during Thursday, Nov. 18. The Fort Myers open house will be from 9 a.m to 5 p.m. at 1762 Fowler Street. The Naples open house will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 819 Myrtle Terrace.

During the open houses, guests will meet the Valerie’s House team, tour the different healing rooms, learning about the referral process and find out how to best comfort a grieving child. To attend either open house, RSVP to Amy@valerieshouse.org

One in nine children in Florida is predicted to lose a parent or sibling before the age of 21, according to the 2020 Childhood Bereavement Estimation Model.

Since its opening in 2016, Valerie’s House has helped more than 1,000 children grieve the loss of a loved one.

Valerie’s House provides a safe, comfortable place for children and their families to heal together following the death of someone they love. Valerie’s House offers support groups and other activities at a home on 1762 Fowler Street in Fort Myers and a home in Naples at 819 Myrtle Terrace. Valerie’s House is a United Way partner agency and is fully supported by community donations. More information, visit www.valerieshouse.org.

Link: https://naples.floridaweekly.com/articles/valeries-house-hosts-podcast-open-house-for-childrens-grief-awareness-day/

Valerie’s House Resumes In-Person Group Meetings; New Support Groups Added in Schools

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                          

FORT MYERS, Fla. – October 7, 2021 – Valerie’s House, the non-profit organization that helps children grieve the loss of a loved one, has resumed in-person group therapy sessions after a six-week hiatus due to the spike in COVID-19 cases.

“The number of new families seeking grief counseling is increasing every week. About 20 percent of them are families that have lost a loved one to COVID-19,” said Valerie’s House Founder and CEO Angela Melvin.

Valerie’s House is implementing safety precautions at all of its locations, including requiring all employees to be vaccinated and wear masks during group therapy sessions.  Families, however, will not be required to be vaccinated.

“We don’t want anything to stand in the way of a child that needs grief counseling, especially since vaccination isn’t available for most children right now,” she said.

About 400 children and family members participate in the group therapy sessions at the three Valerie’s House locations in Fort Myers, Naples and Punta Gorda.  Sessions are held Monday through Thursday evenings.

In addition, Valerie’s House is now providing grief support groups for students, teachers and staff at several Lee County schools that requested the help.  Counselors are conducting grief support groups at Cypress Lake High School, Franklin Park Elementary School and Harns Marsh Middle School in Lee County; Immokalee Middle School in Collier County; and Punta Gorda Elementary in Charlotte County.

Valerie’s House provides a safe, comfortable place for children and their families to heal together following the death of someone they love. Valerie’s House offers support groups and other activities at a home on 1762 Fowler Street in Fort Myers and a home in Naples at 819 Myrtle Terrace. Valerie's House also holds group meetings at First United Methodist Church in Punta Gorda. Valerie's House is a United Way partner agency and is fully supported by community donations.  More information can be found at www.valerieshouse.org.

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Anglers reel in $120,000 for Valerie’s House

Florida Weekly

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Hooked by the collective work of the Calusa Sportsman Foundation, anglers came together recently and raised $120,000 for Valerie’s House. The nonprofit is working toward a new forever home where children and families can receive comfort and care as they cope with the loss of a loved one.

The brainchild of Calusa Sportsman Foundation founders Mark Wiles, Jeff Richards and Mike Dannenhauer, the Inshore Fishing Tournament attracted 191 anglers, 57 teams and 37 sponsors. It was a virtual event, where boats could fish in many local waterways, catch the required fish, measure, and then submit their catches using an app.

The donation was one of the largest ever for Valerie’s House and important for the new home that will be built near Veronica S. Shoemaker Boulevard in Fort Myers. Groundbreaking is scheduled for December.

Valerie’s House opened in January 2016 and since then has helped more than 700 individuals, including children, parents, and grandparents.

The goal is to raise $3 million and open the new house in December 2022. For more information and to make a donation, go to www.valerieshouse.org.

Link: https://fortmyers.floridaweekly.com/articles/anglers-reel-in-120000-for-valeries-house/

Community in the Know: Valerie’s House receives $50,000 grant

Florida Weekly

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Valerie’s House founder and CEO Angela Melvin has announced that the organization has been awarded a $50,000 grant from Major League Baseball and the Major League Baseball Players Association, to help in its mission of helping children grieve the loss of a loved one.

Major League Baseball (MLB) and the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) recently announced the fifth round of recipients for the joint Healthy Relationships Community Grant program. The current distribution of more than $500,000 is going to 11 nonprofit organizations, marking nearly $2.5 million donated to more than 50 organizations so far in this program. The focus areas for the organizations receiving funding include support for survivors of domestic violence, mental health resiliency and developing positive relationship skills in youth as a preventive measure to breaking the cycle of violence.

This initiative is intended as a prevention strategy to empower the next generation to understand the components of a healthy relationship. Organizational efforts supported by grant funding may include public education, with a preference for youth populations, on the difference between healthy and unhealthy relationships as it relates to interpersonal violence (e.g., intimate partner, family or teen dating). Examples of education efforts include creating, producing and distributing public service announcements with relevant content and call to action, as well as conferences or events focusing on awareness. Funding can also go toward supporting existing, or introducing new, programming on how to break the cycle of violence.

The joint donation for the Healthy Relationships Community Grant represents an ongoing commitment by MLB and the MLBPA to provide support to causes that assist vulnerable populations, which has historically included financial assistance toward disaster relief and recovery as well as human trafficking prevention.

Valerie’s House provides a safe, comfortable place for children and their families to heal together following the death of someone they love. Valerie’s House offers support groups and other activities at a home on 1762 Fowler St., Fort Myers, and a home in Naples at 819 Myrtle Terrace. Valerie’s House also holds group meetings at First United Methodist Church in Punta Gorda. Valerie’s House is a United Way partner agency and is fully supported by community donations. For more information, visit www.valerieshouse.org.

Library in North Port continues Food Truck Fridays

Food Truck Fridays is a fundraising event at the Shannon Staub Library, sponsored by Friends of Shannon Staub Public Library Inc. From 11 a.m.-2 p.m. each Friday, a different food truck will be stationed just outside the main entrance of the library, 4675 Career Lane, North Port (on the Suncoast Technical College campus). Scheduled vendors will be posted on the Facebook page for Friends of Shannon Staub Public Library www.facebook.com/friendsofshannonstaubpubliclibrary as well as on its website at www.friendsofsspl.org. Participating food vendors include British Open Pub, Savor 100 x 35, Jersey Shore Crab Cake Company, Uncle Frank’s Hot Dogs, Grace’s Taste of Poland and Wally’s BBQ.

“This fundraiser generates funds to support the programs and events at the Shannon Staub Library,” said Liz Napoli, president of the organization. “In addition, more people become aware of this amazing relatively new facility in North Port. We want everyone to know that North Port has two public libraries within the city. Shannon Staub Library offers innovative events for all ages, wonderful children’s programming and great resources such as the Creation Station for teens as well as adults. This rotation of food trucks allows for a variety of local vendors to participate and to provide a varied menu for our library patrons and visitors.”

Bookings have been confirmed through April 2022; however, sometimes changes in the schedule are necessary due to truck breakdowns, weather, etc. For updated information each week, visit the Facebook page. Food vendors interested in participating in this event should contact Ms. Napoli at 941-876-3586.

Link: https://charlottecounty.floridaweekly.com/articles/community-in-the-know-103/

Valerie’s House Halts Group Meetings; Founder Pleads with Younger People to Get Vaccinated

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                          

Valerie’s House Halts Group Meetings;

Founder Pleads with Younger People to Get Vaccinated

FORT MYERS, Fla. – August 16, 2021 – The growing number of COVID deaths among young people has led Valerie’s House to suspend group meetings until the numbers recede, founder and CEO Angela Melvin announced Sunday. Although Valerie’s House has not seen a COVID outbreak within the organization, Melvin says the virus is still hitting close to home with new families entering the program because of a COVID death, as well as a young volunteer who died over the weekend after contracting the virus.

“We have had a growing number of heartbreaking calls and emails this week from families where a parent has died from COVID, leaving children behind. In almost all cases, the words are the same, ‘He was so healthy and young, we never expected this.’ They have all been unvaccinated,” Melvin said.

Valerie’s House conducted a news conference Monday (today) from 10 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. to address reporter’s questions, share more on the grief that has occurred as a result of the new variant, and reinforce the need for everyone older than age 12 to be vaccinated. The news conference was at Valerie’s House at 1762 Fowler Street in Fort Myers.

“When the first round of COVID occurred a year ago, we had only a handful of children enter our program because their parent died from COVID. The number of families now grieving the loss of a parent because of the virus is gut-wrenching for the entire Valerie’s House family,” she emphasized.

The nonprofit organization that helps children grieve the loss of a loved one, is also seeing a growing number of their own teen and young adult volunteers contract the virus. 

“We tragically lost one of our own volunteers this weekend who was a young man, healthy, and a beloved group buddy in our Val’s Pals Mentoring Program. He was unvaccinated,” she said.

Valerie’s House will continue with individual counseling and family care in person. In the meantime, Melvin said support groups may become virtual until the COVID numbers come down.

Valerie’s House provides a safe, comfortable place for children and their families to heal together following the death of someone they love. Valerie’s House offers support groups and other activities at a home on 1762 Fowler Street in Fort Myers and a home in Naples at 819 Myrtle Terrace. Valerie's House also holds group meetings at First United Methodist Church in Punta Gorda. Valerie's House is a United Way partner agency and is fully supported by community donations. More information can be found at www.valerieshouse.org.

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