At Valerie’s House, volunteers are the heart of the mission, providing vital support to grieving children and families. One of those dedicated individuals is Carolyn Vickery, a social worker who has been volunteering with the organization for eight years. Carolyn shares what first drew her to Valerie’s House and what keeps her coming back.
Read MoreAt Valerie’s House, we believe no child should grieve alone. Our Val’s PALS Mentorship Program connects grieving kids with caring, dedicated adults who offer friendship, support, and guidance during their grief journey. One such incredible mentor is Devon, who has been making a meaningful difference in the lives of grieving children in Southwest Florida for four years.
Read MoreVolunteering at Valerie’s House in Fort Myers changed everything for Chrissy Humann. As a busy professional, Chrissy sought a way to give back to her community and connect with others in a meaningful way. After searching online, she discovered Valerie’s House—a place dedicated to supporting grieving children and families—and knew it was the perfect fit.
Read MoreAvi Dile is a recent Florida Gulf Coast University psychology graduate with a heart for grieving children.
His journey with Valerie’s House began seven months ago when he first stepped foot into the Fort Myers location.
Since then, Avi has been a versatile volunteer, working with children in all age groups and helping them feel less alone.
Read MoreAfter the death of her father in 2012, Blair felt misunderstood by her peers. She grieved in silence and felt alone after her loss.
Then, tragedy struck again when she lost two close friends due to an overdose after high school. That’s when she decided to use her experience with grief to help others who are mourning the loss of a loved one.
Read MoreTuesday night volunteer Kaylin Cole started with Valerie’s House as an intern in January 2023. After her semester was over in May, she decided to continue volunteering as a group facilitator and work with grieving children who have lost a loved one.
“Volunteering at Valerie’s House has taught me how to listen and speak to someone who is grieving,” Kaylin said. “My favorite part about volunteering is knowing that I can make families feel heard and cared for.”
Read MoreAfter losing his mother as a young teen, John Mendes struggled to process the complex emotions associated with his grief. The years following her death were difficult and isolating, but he persevered thanks to the support he received from his father.
John, a New Jersey native, moved to Fort Myers a few years ago and began looking for ways to get involved in the new community. He learned about Valerie’s House through his daughter in 2021 and figured it would be the perfect place to volunteer his time.
Read MoreLexie DeCicco first discovered Valerie’s House while attending the Calusa Inshore Fishing Tournament in 2022. While at the event, she heard a Valerie’s House teen share a personal story of loss and was touched by the account. From then on, Lexie knew she wanted to be involved with Valerie’s House in any capacity.
“Anyone who comes to Valerie’s House will instantly feel the supportive energy we provide to families who are suffering from grief and loss,” Lexie said. “They know that when they come to Valerie’s House that they are not alone and never will be.”
Read MoreDuring the day, Liam Campbell works as a guidance counselor in the Lee County school system. At night, he volunteers his time as a Valerie’s House group facilitator.
Liam has been a devoted Fort Myers volunteer for the past two years and works with the “Sea Turtles” and “Manatees” groups that range between ages 6-13.
He first discovered Valerie’s House through a coworker and has been referring families in need ever since.
Read MoreAolani Scott is a new Valerie’s House- Fort Myers volunteer with a passion for helping grieving kids like she once was.
As a forensic studies student at FGCU, Aolani first heard about Valerie’s House from a professor in the psychology department.
She knew Valerie’s House was the right place to volunteer her time because of her love for children and her own personal experience with loss.
Read MoreCourtney McGovern was introduced to Valerie's House when looking for more opportunities to get involved within the SWFL community.
She had just finished the MBA program at Florida Gulf Coast University and found herself with some free time that she wanted to use to make an impact.
Read MoreValerie's House- Fort Myers volunteer Will Farrell felt an immediate connection to the children as soon as he walked through the doors for training in May 2022.
After only three months of working with the Valerie's House "middles" group, Will has stepped up as a strong and consistent leader that kids can count on.
Read MoreJena Lewis delivered a raffle prize to Valerie's House Founder and CEO Angela Melvin, who won an auction at the Alzheimer's Association's event in downtown Fort Myers last summer.
Jena had heard about Valerie's House but didn't know about its mission. While delivering the prize, she received a tour of the house and was enlightened about what goes on at Valerie's House.
Read MoreKayla Becerril was in search of an internship when she discovered Valerie’s House through the recommendation of a professor at Florida Gulf Coast University.
She started volunteering with Valerie’s House at the beginning of 2022 and has been an incredible addition to the team with her positive attitude and bilingual background.
Read MoreWhen then 19-year-old Nina Mendes first walked up the front steps of Valerie’s House—Fort Myers in early 2020, she was in search of a story for her university newspaper.
While enrolled in a Florida Gulf Coast University course called Death and Dying, Nina learned about Valerie’s House and felt drawn to learn more.
Read MoreThere isn’t a day that goes by when longstanding Thursday night volunteer, Alton, doesn’t think of his mom and dad.
Alton lost both parents to a tragic incident in 1987 on his first day of summer vacation after graduating middle school.
Read MoreAshley McNamara has been a group leader in Naples with our children for almost four years.
She immediately felt a connection with Valerie's House because of her own loss as a child.
Read MoreMy life was perfect, going as expected and planned - high school, college, marriage…..life had other plans. Within four months, we lost my Dad to cancer, and I was pregnant with my first child. There was nowhere to go. No grief counseling. No support groups. We trudged on the best we could, and we made it through everything together.
Read MoreSierra Ritchey was approaching her senior year at Florida Gulf Coast University. She was excited about her future when the horrifying news that her older brother, Kenny, had been killed in a car accident.
Kenny had a history of seizures but never experienced one while driving. She was in shock, and so were her parents.
Read More"We didn't know how we were going to make it," said Sarah in this video below, talking about her mother's loss at the age of 19. "I was all my younger sister had. We were determined to make it." As a volunteer children's group leader and in her Advisory Committee role, Sarah has been instrumental in leading outreach and fundraising efforts for Valerie's House in Charlotte County.
Read MoreValerie's House provide grief support programs and services for children in Southwest Florida. No child should grieve alone.
VALERIE’S HOUSE, INC.
Fort Myers • Naples • Charlotte County • Pensacola
Phone 239-204-5804
Valerie’s House is a 501(c)3 charitable organization, registration # CH46827. A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL-FREE WITHIN THE STATE. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL, OR RECOMMENDATION BY THE STATE. For more information, contact the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Affairs at 1-800-HELP-FLA (435-7352) or visit www.freshfromflorida.com.
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