Life for many children and families of Valerie's House has been especially dark over the past four months. Virtual grief groups have been a success, but families miss being face-to-face, and they need the human connection of their friends and counselors. Ryan, 10, and Cadence, 8, pictured above with Mom April, will be two of the first children back Monday when groups resume at the house. The siblings only had a few months to work on their grief at Valerie's House after their father's sudden loss due to a work-related accident late last year. Valerie's House had become a safe haven for these two, but it was stripped away when Valerie's House had to close its doors because of the pandemic. The kids have been at home, which is where all of the memories are of Dad.

"Staying inside and away from the outside world has made their grief worse, and their feelings of loneliness and anger are increasing," said their mother April.

April said she can't wait to come back to Valerie's House for in-person group nights. The family has been attending virtually, but says it's not nearly as effective for the children. April's family isn't the only family that is looking forward to Valerie's House reopening. More than 80 percent of the 350 Valerie's House families that responded to a recent survey said they would like to return.

That's why we're excited to announce that we are reopening our doors Monday, August 3 and will resume in-person grief groups.

It is essential that we listen to our families and continue to provide them with the resources they need to work through their grief. The children have already lost so much, and Valerie's House had become another loss.

“I don’t know what we would do without a place like Valerie’s House," April said. “We need them, and I know other families do too.”