💙 Support the Valerie’s House Scholarship Fund

Because Loss Shouldn’t Limit Dreams

At Valerie’s House, we help grieving children and young adults heal—and we walk with them as they build their futures. Our scholarship program is one of the ways we remind them: You are not alone, and your dreams still matter.

🎓 $60,000 Awarded in 2024

Thanks to the generosity of our community and a grant from the Shadow Wood Charitable Foundation, Valerie’s House awarded $60,000 in college scholarships to ten inspiring students in 2024. Each recipient shared a powerful personal essay about their loss, how it shaped who they are, and the kind of person they hope to become.

Each student received a $1,500 scholarship, renewable for up to three additional years—making it possible to receive up to $6,000 toward their education. The scholarships may be used for tuition, class materials, transportation, or other college expenses.

🧡 Why Your Gift Matters

Many of our teens and young adults have experienced the death of a parent, sibling, or other loved one. That kind of loss can make it difficult to dream about the future—but at Valerie’s House, we help them rebuild hope.
Your gift helps them take the next step.

  • $50 supports college application and testing fees

  • $250 provides essential class supplies or books

  • $1,500 helps cover a full semester of tuition

  • Any amount helps remind them they are seen, supported, and believed in

“We believe it is important to empower our youth to strive for big things and to know that loss doesn’t have to limit their dreams.”
—Angela Melvin Churchill, Founder & CEO

🌟 Meet the 2024 Scholarship Recipients

  • Gabriel Dang – Golden Gate High School → Prestige Worldwide Sports Academy

  • Abigail Dotzler – Liberty University Online Academy → University of Wisconsin-Whitewater

  • Talia Hall – Lehigh Senior High School → Valencia College

  • Jessica McKee – Fort Myers High School → Santa Fe College

  • Madison McKinnon – North Fort Myers High School → Penn State University

  • Melanie Para – Lehigh Senior High School → Florida Gulf Coast University

  • Anthony Pham – Fort Myers High School → Florida State University

  • Sean Sorrick – Marco Academy → University of North Florida

  • Siena Sulmasy – The Village School → Florida Southern College

  • Hayden Toms – Cypress Lake High School → Florida Gulf Coast University

✨ You Can Help Make Dreams Happen

Your donation to the Valerie’s House Scholarship Fund will change lives—not just today, but for years to come.

For questions or to discuss giving options, please contact Amy Strom at Amy@ValeriesHouse.org.
Thank you for believing in our students and honoring the memory of their loved ones through your generosity.

2024 Scholarship Recipients

 
 

2023 Scholarship Recipients

 
 

2022 Scholarship Recipients