Our Core Values

Valerie’s House Defines Its Core Values: A Commitment to Families and Each Other

January 2025

For the first time in Valerie’s House history, Founder and CEO Angela Melvin gathered the entire team to present something that had been in the works—clearly defined core values that embody who Valerie’s House is as an organization and a community.

“These values are not just words on a poster,” Angela emphasized. “This isn’t about putting them up on a wall. This is about who we are and what makes us special.”

Angela, along with the leadership team—Kathy, Todd, Amy, Heather, and Justin—worked diligently to distill these values from an extensive list of over 50 ideas. Through thoughtful discussion and deep reflection on what truly defines the Valerie’s House way, they arrived at five guiding principles:

1. We Passionately Care

2. We Are Humble

3. We Are Positive and Optimistic

4. We Are Team Players

5. We Are Adaptable

Bringing Values to Life

These are not abstract ideals; they are lived out every day through interactions with grieving families and among the staff. Angela shared real examples of how each value manifests in the day-to-day work of Valerie’s House.

We Passionately Care

Walking in the shoes of the families Valerie’s House serves is not just a metaphor—it’s a guiding principle. “How can we walk in their shoes? How can we walk in each other’s shoes?” Angela asked.

She recalled a moment when Alexis put everything aside to play Uno with a child who was struggling. “You stopped, you played with him, and it changed his whole night,” Angela said, her voice full of emotion. “You can’t teach that—that’s just who we are.”

This commitment extends to how the team treats one another. It means responding quickly to emails, avoiding stereotypes, and making families feel valued no matter their circumstances. “There is no bad kid. There is no troubled kid,” Angela stated. “We stop what we’re doing to give a tour to a family that shows up unannounced. If they’re 30 minutes late, we smile and make it work.”

We Are Humble

Humility is about openness—to learning, to feedback, and to putting families first. Angela made it clear that at Valerie’s House, success is not about individual recognition. “It doesn’t matter who gets the credit,” she said. “If we know a family was helped, that’s all that matters.”

The team listens more than they speak. They support each other without needing acknowledgment, and they recognize that growth comes from experience and learning from families. “A humble person doesn’t wear a title at Valerie’s House,” Angela explained. “Whenever you’re about to say ‘I,’ replace it with ‘we.’”

We Are Positive and Optimistic

Angela believes this may be the most important value, especially given the heavy grief work Valerie’s House staff takes on every day. “Our attitudes, our energy—it sets the tone at the office,” she said. “Families can feel our energy, especially children.”

Positivity means seeing mistakes as learning opportunities, believing the best in people, and avoiding gossip and negativity. “Expect something good to happen, even when we can’t see the end,” she encouraged. “Be a ray of sunshine in this house.”

We Are Team Players

Valerie’s House is a family, and that means working together, regardless of titles or job descriptions. “If something needs to be done, we don’t say ‘that’s not my job,’” Angela stated. “We stop what we’re doing to help, even if it’s not in our department.”

Whether it’s cleaning up before a group session, making sure new staff feel supported, or stepping in for a co-worker when needed, the team is committed to lifting each other up. “We trust each other,” Angela said. “We don’t question each other’s capability—we support each other.”

We Are Adaptable

In a place like Valerie’s House, change is constant, and flexibility is essential. “Things are not written in stone here,” Angela said. “We evolve tremendously from year to year.”

She pointed to the organization’s ability to pivot during COVID-19, create new trauma-informed groups, and adjust holiday events when necessary. “We make exceptions for what is best for the families,” she explained. “We might not have all the answers right now, but we try—and if it doesn’t work, it’s a learning opportunity.”

Looking Ahead

These values will shape everything moving forward—from hiring decisions to daily operations. Angela expressed a commitment to keeping them at the forefront, not just as a one-time initiative but as a living, breathing part of the organization’s culture.

“These values are the way we do business,” she said. “They might even get lost in the day-to-day chaos, but once they’re clearly defined and communicated regularly, we will be living them as an organization.”

Moving forward, Angela hopes to incorporate these values into team meetings, new employee orientations, employee performance evaluations, and even anonymous staff surveys to gather feedback. “You already live these values,” she told the team. “Otherwise, you wouldn’t still be here.”

With this renewed focus, Valerie’s House is looking to the future—ensuring that every grieving child and family who walks through the doors continues to feel the unwavering compassion and support that defines the Valerie’s House way.