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.

A Passion for Helping Others

Carolyn initially pursued nursing in college but found her true calling in social work. “I was in college originally for nursing, and it didn’t really work out, and I wanted to find a career that would align with helping people. And a lot of my friends at that point were doing social work, so I figured I’d give it a try. And I really loved, you know, what social work stood for, and that’s how I was led to the career path of being a social worker.”

She has since spent nine years working in Florida’s healthcare system, supporting families in times of crisis.

How Carolyn Found Valerie’s House

While working at HealthPark Medical Center with Golisano Children's Hospital, Carolyn first learned about Valerie’s House when representatives visited to discuss their grief support services. “They actually came and talked to us at the hospital. I was working at HealthPark at the time, so we had our pediatric population with Golisano Children’s Hospital. So they wanted to make sure that we were aware of them for referrals being sent. And I remember just hearing, you know, what Valerie’s House did, and I wanted to get connected with a nonprofit that was important to me.”

After reaching out and completing volunteer training, Carolyn quickly became a valued member of the team.

Why She Keeps Coming Back

Eight years of volunteering is no small feat, and for Carolyn, the reason is simple—the kids. “I think it’s just the children. And, you know, your group is different each time, and you’re, you know, pouring into them, but they’re also teaching you a lot as well. And just, you know, the community that we have here at Valerie’s House is just unlike anything else that I’ve ever experienced.”

Memorable Moments

Over the years, Carolyn has witnessed incredible growth in the children she’s worked with. “There was one kid that started out that he did not want to be here. He was very angry, and he has just grown in group, and just, you know, been able to control those emotions, and, you know, learn how to cope with those. And he is a role model to a lot of others in the group.”

Another child who joined as a freshman is now a senior and has become a leader among his peers. “He started out freshman, and he’s a senior now, and he’s very much a leader in the group. And it’s just really cool to see that growth with all of the kids, kind of year after year, and, you know, group after group, and when new kids start coming in, you know, they can kind of relate. Oh, I remember, you know, I didn’t want to talk or I was angry, and they can, you know, have that partnership with them and that mentorship with each other, which is really great to see.”

Encouraging Others to Get Involved

Carolyn is passionate about sharing Valerie’s House with fellow social workers. “I definitely try to let others know, like, about Valerie’s House, and if they are interested in volunteering. You know, with social work, one of our, like, core ethical tenants is service. So just making sure that we’re always giving back to the community. It can be hard, you know, as a social worker and different job roles, but, you know, giving back, and I feel like this is one way that I’m able to do that.”

What Makes Valerie’s House Special

For Carolyn, it all comes down to the sense of community. “I think it’s the community. I mean, we’re all here. We’ve all experienced a loss in some form, and every loss is different. And you know, everyone’s path is different, but we’re all here to support each other and just come together and, you know, support each other through our time together, and that’s just really powerful to see.”

Her experience captures the essence of Valerie’s House—a place where grieving children and families find strength, healing, and understanding.

Join the Valerie’s House Volunteer Family

If you’re looking for a meaningful way to give back, consider joining Carolyn and other volunteers at Valerie’s House. Whether you’re a social worker or simply someone who wants to make a difference, your time and dedication can change lives.