Monday night, Punta Gorda attendee Shelby describes Valerie’s House as a home away from home.

Her grandparents, Debi and Michael, have played an active role in raising Shelby since she was born. Shelby is now six years old and has only ever known a distant relationship with her parents.

Both of them have struggled with addiction, with her mother in and out of rehab and her father facing incarceration.

In 2020, Shelby’s dad died of an overdose on the day of her fifth birthday party. Tragically, her mother also died of an overdose in 2022.

“I like coming to group night at Valerie’s House because everyone is the same as me,” Shelby said. “Everyone’s mom, dad, or pop-pop has died. I can actually talk to someone who is just like me.”

Shelby moved to Florida with her grandparents when she was in kindergarten after they lost their family-owned business. She left her school, friends, home, and extended family behind.

After experiencing so much personal loss, Valerie’s House provided Shelby and her grandparents with an additional support system and let them know they are not alone.

“Valerie’s House has taught me there are no right or wrong ways to grieve, and I can embrace my anger and not be overrun by the guilt,” Debi said. “Shelby looks forward to coming to the meetings. There is never any push back.”

The family began attending Valerie’s House in December of 2019 after a recommendation from Shelby’s school. In addition to being a member of our peer grief support groups, Shelby is also a mentee in the Val’s Pals Mentor Program.

“We are hoping that Shelby will make a connection and learn that all adults will not abandon [her],” Debi said. “She speaks of several of the other children [in her group] as her friends. Shelby does not feel quite as isolated as she first did.”

Some of Shelby’s favorite family activities include going to the beach, swimming at the pool, going out to eat, and cooking with her grandparents.

Valerie’s House has helped Shelby and her family work through their loss together and given them hope for the future.