Mackenzie accepting the VH Scholarship For Grieving Children

Mackenzie didn’t know what would happen after her mother died of complications from a stroke in February 2020. Her mother was a single parent, and after her death, 16-year-old Mackenzie moved across the state from Port Saint Lucie to Naples to live with distant family.

Due to the COVID lockdown weeks after her tragic loss, Mackenzie was forced to grieve in isolation. However, after finding Valerie’s House through the recommendation of a school counselor, she no longer feels like she is grieving alone.

“Valerie’s House gave me comfort and gave me friends,” Mackenzie said. “It didn’t feel like normal therapy; it felt like I was having conversations about my grief with friends who understood and didn’t just pretend to understand. I was able to talk about how I felt and what I was going through without judgment.”

Mackenzie is a member of the teen group at Valerie’s House- Naples. She regularly attends group nights and connects with other kids who have lost a caregiver or a sibling.

Since receiving support at Valerie’s House, she’s found several positive ways to cope with the loss of her mom, including writing and listening to music. She is currently giving back to Valerie’s House by volunteering as a group buddy to help grieving kids like her.

Mackenzie recently graduated from Gulf Coast High School this past spring and is attending Florida Gulf Coast University to study forensics. She also recently received the Valerie’s House Scholarship for Grieving Children.

“I owe Valerie’s House everything,” said Mackenzie. “I honestly don’t think I would still be here if it weren’t for this place. It means everything to me.”