Valerie's House Opens The Doors to New Family is Forever Home

March 25, 2024

FOR MORE INFO:

Angela Melvin Churchill, CEO                      Susan Bennett, APR, CPRC Valerie’s House                                Susan Bennett Marketing & Media  239-204-5804                                             239-277 5255 angela@valerieshouse.org             sbennett@susanbennett.biz

VALERIE’S HOUSE OPENS THE DOORS TO

NEW FAMILY IS FOREVER HOME

FORT MYERS, FLA., MARCH 25, 2024 – Valerie’s House celebrated the grand opening of its new Family is Forever home March 14 with a ribbon-cutting and tours of the new facility at 3551 Shoemaker Lane, now known as 3551 Valerie’s House Way, in Fort Myers.

More than 300 people attended the ribbon-cutting and toured the new home, including Fort Myers Mayor Kevin Anderson, Lee County commissioners, Lee County District School Superintendent Dr. Christopher Bernier, Fort Myers Police Chief Jason Fields, Fort Myers Fire Chief Terry McMillion and Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce members along with members of other local chambers of commerce and other dignitaries. 

About 200 people attended the open house the following day.

A total of $3 million was raised toward the cost of the new home, which is built on land donated by the City of Fort Myers under a $1 per year lease.

Angela Melvin Churchill, Lee Health Hospital Board Member Nancy McGovern

“We are incredibly grateful to all of the people and organizations who have made this possible,” said CEO Angela Melvin Churchill.  “Having this space will open the door to building more partnerships, educating our community, and most importantly, giving us the needed space to help thousands more families and children who are grieving.”

The home is a cozy, warm, old Florida style structure, with special rooms like a volcano room, which allows children to work out any anger or other emotions they have because of their loss.  The 7,000-square-foot facility will allow Valerie’s House to provide wrap-around services, such as individual grief counseling, parenting classes, and family retreats to support families who need it.

Fire Chief Terry McMillion

“From the moment you walk through the doors we want families to feel at home.  Along with a beautiful outdoor space for the children to play and large dining area for family meals, there also are rooms dedicated to every age group. From little ones, to teens, to caregivers, each group has their own space designed for them to come together to support one another through healing activities and discussions,” she said.

Valerie’s House has helped more than 5,000 children and their families since its founding in 2016 by Angela Melvin Churchill, whose mother, Valerie, was killed in a car accident in Fort Myers in 1987.

One in seven children in Florida is predicted to lose a parent or sibling before the age of 25, according to the 2022 Childhood Bereavement Estimation Model.

Valerie’s House currently offers peer support groups and other activities at locations in Fort Myers, Naples, Punta Gorda, and Port Charlotte. Valerie's House is a United Way partner agency and is fully supported by community donations.

For more information about Valerie’s House or to make a donation to the Forever Home, visit www.valerieshouse.org/forever-home  call 239-204-5804.

About Valerie’s House

Valerie’s House opened its first location in Fort Myers, Florida in January 2016 and has served more than 5,000 children and their families from Lee, Collier, Charlotte, and Hendry counties. The organization provides a safe, comfortable place for children to share, grieve and heal together following the death of a close family member. Valerie’s House has three Southwest Florida locations: 3551 Valerie’s House Way in Fort Myers, 819 Myrtle Terrace in Naples and 233 East McKenzie Street in Punta Gorda.  Valerie’s House also expanded into Northwest Florida in 2021 with a home in downtown Pensacola.  For more information, visit www.valerieshouse.org

                                                            30

Valerie’s House Welcomes Elisa Bowersox, CPA at Board Treasurer

FORT MYERS, FL (February 2, 2024) – Elisa Bowersox, CPA, a tax manager with Markham Norton Mosteller Wright & Co., P.A. (MNMW), joined Valerie’s House Board of Directors as the Treasurer. In this volunteer role, Bowersox will assist the non-profit organization with the financial needs and responsibilities that help Valerie’s House successfully serve all the communities in which they have a facility.

“Valerie’s House has been helping so many children since opening in 2016, and a large reason for our reach into the community has been the support of partners, like MNMW,” said Valerie’s House Founder & CEO Angela Melvin. “Elisa has been a wonderful addition to our Board of Directors, and we are thrilled that she will serve as our Treasurer to help us help children and families work through the loss of a loved one and live fulfilling lives.”

Bowersox is not the first MNMW team member appointed to the Valerie’s House Board. Victoria Rodriguez, CPA, CHBC, MNMW firm partner, served as the agency’s Treasurer from 2017 to 2023, assisting with the organization’s exponential growth while overseeing the annual budget.

About Markham Norton Mosteller Wright & Company, P.A.:

Markham Norton Mosteller Wright & Company, P.A. is a public accounting and consulting firm with offices in Fort Myers and Naples. Along with traditional tax and accounting services, the firm offers a wide range of other services, including general business consulting, construction business consulting, medical practice consulting, not-for-profit services, family mediation services, forensic accounting, and litigation support. Call (239) 433-5554 or visit www.Markham-Norton.com for more information.

About Valerie’s House:

Valerie’s House opened in January 2016 and has served more than 3,000 children and their families from Charlotte, Sarasota, Glades, Lee, Hendry, and Collier counties as well as the Florida panhandle. The organization provides a safe, comfortable place for children to share, grieve, and heal together following the death of a close family member. Valerie’s House has three locations in Southwest Florida: 233 East McKenzie St. in Punta Gorda, 1762 Fowler St. in downtown Fort Myers, and 819 Myrtle Terrace in Naples. Support services are also available at the Charlotte Family Services Center at 21500 Gibraltar Drive in Port Charlotte. For more information, visit www.valerieshouse.org.

# # # #

Grand Opening Set For Valerie's House New Family is Forever Home

January 30, 2024

FOR MORE INFO:

Angela Melvin Churchill, CEO                      Susan Bennett, APR, CPRC

Valerie’s House                                                   Susan Bennett Marketing & Media 

239-204-5804                                                             239-277-5255

angela@valerieshouse.org                                           sbennett@susanbennett.biz

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

GRAND OPENING SET FOR VALERIE’S HOUSE

NEW FAMILY IS FOREVER HOME

FORT MYERS, FLA., JANUARY 30, 2024 – Valerie’s House will celebrate the grand opening of its new Family is Forever home Thursday, March 14, with a ribbon-cutting and tours of the new facility at 3551 Shoemaker Lane, now known as 3551 Valerie’s House Way, in Fort Myers.

The ribbon-cutting ceremony will begin at 4:30 p.m., attended by Fort Myers Mayor Kevin Anderson, Fort Myers City Council and Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce members along with members of other local chambers of commerce.  Tours will follow until 7 p.m.

An open house is set for the following day (Friday, March 15) from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. for those unable to attend the Thursday celebration who would like to tour the home. The public and media are invited to join in the celebration.

Sponsorships of the grand opening are available from $500 to $10,000 that include mentions on social media, television recognition, publication printing as well as branding at the event..  For information, please contact Sterling Lund at sterling.lund@valerieshouse.org.

A total of $3 million has been raised toward the cost of the new home, which is built on land donated by the City of Fort Myers under a $1 per year lease.

“We are incredibly grateful to all of the people and organizations who have made this possible,” said CEO Angela Melvin Churchill.  “Having this space will open the door to building more partnerships, educating our community, and most importantly, giving us the needed space to help thousands more families and children who are grieving.”

The home is a cozy, warm, old Florida style structure, with special rooms like a volcano room, which allows children to work out any anger or other emotions they have because of their loss.  The 7,000-square-foot facility will allow Valerie’s House to provide wrap-around services, such as individual grief counseling, parenting classes, and family retreats to support families who need it.

“From the moment you walk through the doors we want families to feel at home.  Along with a beautiful outdoor space for the children to play and large dining area for family meals, there also are rooms dedicated to every age group. From little ones, to teens, to caregivers, each group has their own space designed for them to come together to support one another through healing activities and discussions,” she said.

Valerie’s House has helped more than 5,000 children and their families since its founding in 2016 by Angela Melvin Churchill, whose mother, Valerie, was killed in a car accident in Fort Myers in 1987.

One in seven children in Florida is predicted to lose a parent or sibling before the age of 25, according to the 2022 Childhood Bereavement Estimation Model.

Valerie’s House currently offers peer support groups and other activities at locations in Fort Myers, Naples, Punta Gorda, and Port Charlotte. Valerie's House is a United Way partner agency and is fully supported by community donations.

For more information about Valerie’s House or to make a donation to the Forever Home, visit www.valerieshouse.org/forever-home  call 239-204-5804.

About Valerie’s House

Valerie’s House opened its first location in Fort Myers, Florida in January 2016 and has served more than 5,000 children and their families from Lee, Collier, Charlotte, and Hendry counties. The organization provides a safe, comfortable place for children to share, grieve and heal together following the death of a close family member. Valerie’s House has three Southwest Florida locations: 3551 Valerie’s House Way in Fort Myers, 819 Myrtle Terrace in Naples and 233 East McKenzie Street in Punta Gorda.  Valerie’s House also expanded into Northwest Florida in 2021 with a home in downtown Pensacola.  For more information, visit www.valerieshouse.org

                                                            30

Valerie’s House Awarded $10,000 Grant From The Collier Community Foundation

Naples, FL – November 22, 2023 – Valerie’s House is pleased to announce it has received a $10,000 grant from the Collier Community Foundation.

These funds will support the expansion of peer grief-support groups in Collier County Public Schools.

There are more than 7,000 grieving children in Collier County, and Valerie’s House Naples strives to reach as many of those children as possible. Since opening its Collier location in 2017, Valerie’s House has served more than 500 grieving families in Naples.

The funding from the Collier Community Foundation will allow Valerie’s House Naples to bring grief support to children directly through the Collier County education system. This gives children the opportunity to receive support if they cannot attend group night at one of the Valerie’s House locations.

Valerie’s House school groups are growing, and these funds will allow Valerie’s House to keep up with the demand.

“School groups allow us to meet the children where they are at and provide love and support as they grieve the loss of a loved one,” said Valerie’s House Founder & CEO Angela Melvin. “We are so grateful for the Collier Community Foundation for gifting Valerie’s House this grant, as it will allow us to positively impact more grieving children in our community.”

The Collier Community Foundation awards annual grants through a competitive application and review process. Selected organizations receive grant dollars from the Community Impact Fund. This Fund is made up of donors who believe in the Community Foundation’s ability to identify and grant the community’s most current needs.

About Valerie’s House:

Valerie’s House opened in January 2016 and has served more than 3,000 children and their families from Charlotte, Sarasota, Glades, Lee, Hendry and Collier counties as well as the Florida panhandle. The organization provides a safe, comfortable place for children to share, grieve and heal together following the death of a close family member. Valerie’s House has three locations in Southwest Florida: 233 East McKenzie St. in Punta Gorda, 1762 Fowler St. in downtown Fort Myers, and 819 Myrtle Terrace in Naples. Support services also are available at the Charlotte Family Services Center at 21500 Gibraltar Drive in Port Charlotte. For more information, visit www.valerieshouse.org

About the Collier Community Foundation:

Collier Community Foundation® is a tax-exempt, public, charitable organization established in 1985 to increase and focus on local private philanthropy. Today, the Collier Community Foundation manages over 850 funds, works with hundreds of nonprofits, and has granted over $328 million to nonprofit organizations, community programs, and scholarships. Informed giving. Powerful results®. Learn more at colliercf.org or call 239-649-5000.

Valerie’s House Gives Children a Voice During National Children’s Grief Awareness Month in November

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                          

 Media Contacts:

Angela Melvin Churchill, Founder & CEO                                                                                                                         Susan Bennett, APR, CPRC

Valerie’s House                                                                                                                                                       Susan Bennett Marketing & Media

239-204-5804                                                                                                                                                                                    (239) 277-5255

angela@valerieshouseswfl.org                                                                                                                                         sbennett@susanbennett.biz

Valerie’s House Gives Children a Voice During

National Children’s Grief Awareness Month in November

National Children’s Grief Awareness Day is November 16

FORT MYERS, Fla. – October 31, 2023 – Valerie’s House, a nonprofit organization helping children grieve the loss of a loved one, is participating in National Children’s Grief Awareness Month in November with numerous activities to give grieving children a voice.

“Valerie’s House is joining other members of the National Alliance for Children’s Grief to acknowledge and support children who are grieving and their families,” said Valerie’s House Founder and CEO Angela Melvin Churchill. “We must stand with them and support them now more than ever.”

Two major events are planned during the month:

·       Valerie’s House in Fort Myers will host an open house so the public including families, school professionals, and other community members can tour the house and learn more about its grief support services Thursday, November 16, which is National Children’s Grief Awareness Day. Professionals who work with children are encouraged to wear blue and drop by Valerie’s House at 1762 Fowler St. in downtown Fort Myers from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Please RSVP to Kathy@valerieshouse.org

●   Valerie’s House will produce a podcast with the Lee County school system about how to support students who are grieving the loss of a loved one.

·       Throughout National Children’s Grief Awareness Month, Valerie’s House will share personal stories from families during videos, interviews and other profiles posted on social media and on their website. They also are encouraging residents to share their own stories of loss on social media and how they have survived the trauma.

Among the initiatives of Valerie’s House and the National Alliance for Children’s Grief is “flip the script” on grief by addressing common challenges people face when supporting those who are grieving.  Various scripts are provided to replace potentially hurtful language with more comforting and constructive responses.

For example:

Instead of “I’m sorry for your loss,” flip the script and say “Thank you for telling me what happened.I know there are no words to make it better.  Just know I’m here and want to support you.”

Instead of “you need to be strong,” flip the script and say “Do you want to talk? Do you want to tell me about your (person who died)?”

“We are asking everyone to join with us in helping. Reach out to anyone you know who is grieving and tell them about Valerie’s House. Let them know we are here for them and that they are not alone.  Give them a voice, let them know you hear them,” Melvin Churchill said.

Valerie’s House was founded in Fort Myers in 2016 by Melvin, whose mother
Valerie was killed in a car accident in Fort Myers in 1987. Since then, the organization has grown to help more than 3,000 children and expanded into three additional locations in Naples, Punta Gorda, and Pensacola.

One in nine children in Florida is predicted to lose a parent or sibling before the age of 25, according to the 2022 Childhood Bereavement Estimation Model.

Valerie's House is fully supported by community donations.

If you know of a family who is in need of grief support, please go to the Valerie’s House website www.valerieshouse.org to find out more and enroll a family for help.

 About Valerie’s House

Valerie’s House opened in January 2016 and has served more than 3,000 children and their families from Charlotte, Sarasota, Glades, Lee, Hendry and Collier counties as well as the Florida panhandle. The organization provides a safe, comfortable place for children to share, grieve and heal together following the death of a close family member. Valerie’s House has three locations in Southwest Florida: 233 East McKenzie St. in Punta Gorda, 1762 Fowler St. in downtown Fort Myers, and 819 Myrtle Terrace in Naples. Support services also are available at the Charlotte Family Services Center at 21500 Gibraltar Drive in Port Charlotte.  For more information, visit www.valerieshouse.org

City of Fort Myers Dedicates Valerie’s House Way

FOR MORE INFO:

Angela Melvin, CEO                                                                   Susan Bennett, APR, CPRC

Valerie’s House                                                                                                                                              Susan Bennett Marketing & Media

239-204-5804                                                                                                                                                                                         239-277-5255

angela@valerieshouse.org                                                                                                                                               sbennett@susanbennett.biz

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

City of Fort Myers Dedicates Valerie’s House Way

FORT MYERS, FLA. October 26, 2023 – The City of Fort Myers has renamed a city street as Valerie’s House Way, in honor of the new Valerie’s House forever home being built to provide a safe, comforting environment for children grieving the loss of a loved one.

City leaders, Valerie’s House board members, staff and families gathered for the official dedication on October 19.  The renaming of Shoemaker Lane to Valerie’s House Way was the idea of Fort Myers Mayor Kevin Anderson who experienced the loss of his parent as a child.

"Valerie's House Way will forever be a street in our beloved city," said Mayor Anderson.  "Hundreds of people travel this boulevard everyday and will now see the name Valerie's House.  We hope this will bring even more attention to the special mission of Valerie's House."

The new Valerie’s House is under construction with completion expected in January.

"Our house of healing will be here for generations to come," said Valerie's House founder and CEO Angela Melvin Churchill.  "No child will ever grieve alone in our community once this is finished."

The home will be a cozy, warm, old Florida style structure. The 7,000-square-foot facility will also allow Valerie’s House to help more children and provide wrap-around services, such as individual grief counseling to support families who desperately need it.V

Valerie’s House was founded in Fort Myers in 2016 by Melvin, whose mother Valerie was killed in a car accident in Fort Myers in 1987. Since then, the organization has grown to help more than 3,000 children and expanded into three additional locations in Naples, Punta Gorda, and Pensacola.

One in nine children in Florida is predicted to lose a parent or sibling before the age of 25, according to the 2022 Childhood Bereavement Estimation Model.

Valerie's House is fully supported by community donations.

If you know of a family who is in need of grief support, please go to the Valerie’s House website www.valerieshouse.org to find out more and enroll a family for help.

 About Valerie’s House

Valerie’s House opened in January 2016 and has served more than 3,000 children and their families from Charlotte, Sarasota, Glades, Lee, Hendry and Collier counties as well as the Florida panhandle. The organization provides a safe, comfortable place for children to share, grieve and heal together following the death of a close family member. Valerie’s House has three locations in Southwest Florida: 233 East McKenzie St. in Punta Gorda, 1762 Fowler St. in downtown Fort Myers, and 819 Myrtle Terrace in Naples. Support services also are available at the Charlotte Family Services Center at 21500 Gibraltar Drive in Port Charlotte.  For more information, visit www.valerieshouse.org

Valerie's House Expands With New Home In Charlotte County

October 3, 2023

FOR MORE INFO:

Christine Carey                                                                          Susan Bennett, APR, CPRC

Valerie’s House Charlotte                                                                                                                                      Susan Bennett Marketing & Media 

239-841-0381                                                                                                                                                                                         (239) 277-5255

Christine@valerieshouse.org                                                                                                                                            sbennett@susanbennett.biz

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

VALERIE’S HOUSE EXPANDS WITH NEW HOME

IN CHARLOTTE COUNTY

PUNTA GORDA, FLA., Oct. 3, 2023 – Valerie’s House has purchased a new home in Charlotte County, enabling the non-profit organization to expand its services to children grieving the loss of loved ones.

The new home at 233 East McKenzie Street in downtown Punta Gorda includes a 1,500 square foot house plus an additional 500 square foot detached building that will be used for teen peer grief support as well as grief counseling.  The new location will allow Valerie’s House to serve the increasing number of children from both Charlotte and Sarasota Counties.

“The warm and cozy house in downtown Punta Gorda is a special place for our families to call a home away from home,” said Valerie’s House Founder and CEO Angela Melvin.  “We’ve been holding group counseling sessions at local churches and schools in both Charlotte and Sarasota counties for several years now.  Having a home to call our own in Charlotte County will allow us to help hundreds more children and their parents who need support and counseling after the death of a loved in in their family.”

Melvin said Valerie’s House will begin offering peer to peer grief support groups, grief counseling and other trainings, resource nights and activities at the new house in January.

Renovations costing $75,000 are needed to make the restroom and parking ADA compliant, install a new roof and air conditioning.  All sponsorships of $25,000 or more may be pledged over five years.  A Walkway of Remembrance also will be installed with pavers available from $500 to $1,000.

More information about the new Charlotte County home and how to get involved can be found by contacting Charlotte County Director Christine Carey at christine@valerieshouse.org.

Valerie’s House is also nearing the completion of a three-year long building campaign in Lee County for its Family is Forever Home on a donated piece of land from the City of Fort Myers.  The Fort Myers home is expected to open to the public in December.

“We are grateful to our volunteers, donors, Valerie’s House Board of Directors and staff for making the vision that No Child Grieves Alone in Southwest Florida a reality,” Melvin said.

Valerie’s House has provided grief support services to more than 400 children and adults in Charlotte County since expanding there in 2019.

Valerie’s House was founded in Fort Myers in 2016 by Melvin, whose mother
Valerie was killed in a car accident in Fort Myers in 1987.  In addition to homes in Fort Myers and Punta Gorda, Valerie’s House also has homes in Naples and Pensacola.

One in nine children in Florida is predicted to lose a parent or sibling before the age of 25, according to the 2022 Childhood Bereavement Estimation Model.

Valerie's House is fully supported by community donations.

If you know of a family who is in need of grief support, please go to the Valerie’s House website www.valerieshouse.org to find out more and enroll a family for help.

About Valerie’s House

Valerie’s House opened in January 2016 and has served more than 3,000 children and their families from Charlotte, Sarasota, Glades, Lee, Hendry and Collier counties as well as the Florida panhandle. The organization provides a safe, comfortable place for children to share, grieve and heal together following the death of a close family member. Valerie’s House has three locations in Southwest Florida: 233 East McKenzie St. in Punta Gorda, 1762 Fowler St. in downtown Fort Myers, and 819 Myrtle Terrace in Naples. Support services also are available at the Charlotte Family Services Center at 21500 Gibralter Drive in Port Charlotte.  For more information, visit www.valerieshouse.org

                                                                                                                       30

Longtime Southwest Florida Business Owner Jeff Miloff Joins Valerie’s House Board of Directors

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                          

 Media Contacts:

Angela Melvin, Founder & CEO                                                                                                                                         Susan Bennett, APR, CPRC

Valerie’s House                                                                                                                                                       Susan Bennett Marketing & Media

239-204-5804                                                                                                                                                                                       (239) 277-5255

angela@valerieshouseswfl.org                                                                                                                                         sbennett@susanbennett.biz

Longtime Southwest Florida Business Owner Jeff Miloff Joins

Valerie’s House Board of  Directors

FORT MYERS, Fla. – August 1, 2023 – Longtime Businessman Jeff Miloff of Miloff Aubuchon Realty Group has joined the Board of Directors of Valerie’s House, a nonprofit organization in Southwest Florida helping children grieve the loss of a loved one.

“Jeff has been a long-time volunteer for Valerie’s House and has his own personal story of loss that resonates with our Valerie’s House families,” said Valerie’s House Founder and CEO Angela Melvin.  “His passion for our mission combined with his decades of experience leading successful boards and our community will be an asset to Valerie’s House.”

Losing his father when he was eight years old, Miloff knows firsthand why the mission of Valerie’s House is so important.

“My mother had five children to raise on her own after my Dad died,” he said.  “We could have really benefitted from a place like Valerie’s House.”

Miloff has been involved in the Valerie’s House Val’s Pals mentoring program for the past year.  He spends time with 12-year-old Landon who also lost his father.  The two use their shared experience to heal from their losses together.  The two also bond through their love of sports.

Miloff has twice been named Humanitarian of the Year by the Cape Coral Association of Realtors, is past president of Ronald McDonald House Charities SWFL and is a past recipient of the President’s Award from Ronald McDonald House Charities.

Originally from Florida’s east coast, Miloff served six years in the U.S. Coast Guard.  He met his wife Jacque in New Jersey and the couple made the decision to return to Florida and make Southwest Florida their home.

He partnered with Gary Aubuchon of Aubuchon Homes in 1999 to initiate a real estate company, Miloff Aubuchon Realty Group, which has become one of the top independent firms in Southwest Florida with nearly 90 real estate agents. 

Giving back to his community is important to Miloff, who has organized dozens of fund-raising events for local charities, including fishing and poker tournaments, and serving on several local non-profit boards of directors. Miloff and Jacque also were instrumental in the fund-raising and building the Cape Coral Animal Shelter.

Valerie’s House opened in 2016 in Fort Myers with 20 children and has grown to serve more than 3,000 children and parents in the past seven years, by providing a safe, comfortable place for children and their families to heal together following the death of someone they love. Valerie’s House offers support groups and other activities at a home on 1762 Fowler Street in Fort Myers and a home in Naples at 819 Myrtle Terrace. Valerie's House also holds group meetings in Charlotte County. Valerie's House is a United Way partner agency and is fully supported by community donations.  More information can be found at www.valerieshouse.org.

                                                                                                                  30

Valerie’s House Announces $54,000 in College Scholarships for Local Grieving Students

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                          

 Media Contacts:

Angela Melvin, Founder & CEO                                                                                                                                         Susan Bennett, APR, CPRC

Valerie’s House                                                                                                                                                       Susan Bennett Marketing & Media

239-204-5804                                                                                                                                                                                      (239) 277-5255

angela@valerieshouseswfl.org                                                                                                                                         sbennett@susanbennett.biz

Valerie’s House Announces $54,000 in

College Scholarships for Local Grieving Students

FORT MYERS, Fla. – June 26, 2023 – Valerie’s House, a nonprofit organization in Southwest Florida helping children grieve the loss of a loved one, has awarded $54,000 in college scholarships for graduating high school seniors who have come through and found support in the Valerie’s House grief support program.

It’s the second year that Valerie’s House has offered the scholarships of $1,000 to $2,500 per year for four years. Six local students were chosen based on an essay they each wrote about their personal grief story and how their loss shaped them as the person they are and the person they want to become.

The scholarship recipients are:

●        Jason Bishop of Cape Coral, who graduated from Bishop Verot High School and plans to attend Florida Gulf Coast University;

●        Jacob Jordan of Cape Coral, who graduated from North Fort Myers High School and plans to attend Florida Gulf Coast University;

●        Kaitlyn McCormack of Naples, who graduated from Barron Collier High School and plans to attend Florida SouthWestern State College;

●        Sam Mejia of Naples, who graduated from Lorenzo Walker Technical High School and plans to attend Florida Gulf Coast University;

●        Bailey Spotz of Cape Coral, who graduated from Cape Coral High School and plans to attend Florida Gulf Coast University; and.

●        Kendall Sulmasy of Naples, who graduated from The Village School in Naples and is undecided on which college to attend.

“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,” said Valerie’s House Founder and CEO Angela Melvin.  “We are very grateful to our donors who have made this scholarship program possible.”

The scholarship funds may be used for classes, materials, or anything they need during the school year.

“The students are asked to check in with Valerie’s House each college semester and tell us something that they worked through that was challenging during the semester, and something great that they believe they might have accomplished, “ Melvin said.

To donate and help the Valerie’s House Scholarship Fund, visit www.valerieshouse.org/donate

Valerie’s House first opened its doors with 20 children and their caregivers on the evening of January 11, 2016 in a small house in downtown Fort Myers.  Since then, the organization has grown to help more than 2,000 children and expanded into three locations across Southwest Florida, including one in Naples and Punta Gorda.

One in seven children in Florida is predicted to lose a parent or sibling before the age of 25, according to the 2021 Childhood Bereavement Estimation Model.

Valerie’s House provides a safe, comfortable place for children and their families to heal together following the death of someone they love. Valerie’s House offers support groups and other activities at a home on 1762 Fowler Street in Fort Myers and a home in Naples at 819 Myrtle Terrace. Valerie's House also holds group meetings in Charlotte County. Valerie's House is a United Way partner agency and is fully supported by community donations.  More information can be found at www.valerieshouse.org.

                                                                                                                  30

Bailey Spotz

Jacob Jordan

Jason Bishop

Kaitlyn McCormack, Sam Mejia, and Kendall Sulmasy

Valerie’s House Pensacola welcomes community at Open House

FOR MORE INFO:

Crista Brandt, Northwest Florida Director                                                                         

Valerie’s House Pensacola                                                                                      

850-266-0795                                                                             

crista@valerieshouse.org                                                         

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Grieving Families in Northwest Florida Have a Place to Call Their Own

Valerie’s House Pensacola welcomes community at Open House

 PENSACOLA, FLA. April 24, 2023 – Children grieving the death of a loved one in Pensacola now have a cozy, comfortable house to call their own.  After two years of serving the Northwest Florida area, Valerie’s House Pensacola (VHP) officially opened its new home to the community Friday, April 21 during an official Pensacola Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting and Open House at 904 E Gadsden Street near downtown.

 More than 250 people filled the rooms for tours and had the opportunity to speak with families, board members and volunteers about the services at Valerie’s House. Guests strolled through the historic home which has been renovated to include healing rooms, art spaces, and gathering rooms for adults and children to be together during their grief journey.

 “Thank you to all the people who took time to attend Valerie’s House Open House. Hundreds of people walked through the doors of Valerie’s House at The Chadbourne Foundation Home to witness the impact and space we are providing so no child in our community grieves alone. The outpouring of support was nothing short of amazing” said Crista Brandt, Valerie’s House Northwest Florida Director.

 Valerie’s House is the first and only non-profit in the panhandle with its sole mission to help children grieving the death of a loved one. The Pensacola chapter of Valerie’s House opened in 2020 spearheaded by Brandt. The program spent nearly two years in a donated space from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwest Florida before the Chadbourne Foundation donated a home of its own to Valerie’s House.

 “The Chadbourne Foundation is indebted to Valerie’s House for enabling us to put our funds to use in an effective and palpable manner with the founding of The Chadbourne Foundation Home,” said Caroline DeMaria, Chadbourne Foundation Board Member.  “We are also thankful that the founder of Valerie’s House, Angela Melvin, sanctioned a location in the panhandle under Crista’s passionate leadership.”

 More than 230 children and adults receive support from Valerie’s House, including students at Pace Center for Girls, where Valerie’s House hosts an in-school group. Valerie’s House Peer-to-Peer support model helps children share, connect, and build bonds with other kids their age dealing with similar experiences. Children have the opportunity to decrease isolation, identify and become aware of their normal feelings of grief, and learn safe and effective ways to manage their difficult feelings. Valerie’s House helps make connections between the participants’ grief stories, so they know they are not alone.

 15 percent of children in the panhandle are predicted to lose a parent or sibling before the age of 25. One in 11 children in Escambia County and 1 in 14 in Santa Rosa county will experience the death of a parent or sibling by the age of 18.  Valerie’s House hosts grief support groups and other activities for children and families during the week at no cost to families.

 To enroll a child who is grieving, or to find out more, please visit www.valerieshouse.org/pensacola or contact Crista Brandt at pensacola@valerieshouse.org.

Valerie’s House was founded in January 2016 in Fort Myers, Florida and has grown to help more than 3,000 children and their families across the state at locations in Fort Myers, Naples, Port Charlotte and at its newest location in Pensacola. The organization is named after Valerie Melvin, a Fort Myers wife and mother of two who died in 1987 in a car accident. For more information, visit www.valerieshouse.org 

Juniper Makes $100,000 Gift for Valerie's House New Forever Home

March 29, 2023

FOR MORE INFO:

 Angela Melvin, CEO                                                   Susan Bennett, APR, CPRC

Valerie’s House                                                 Susan Bennett Marketing & Media 

239-204-5804                                                             239-277-5255

angela@valerieshouse.org                                           sbennett@susanbennett.biz

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

JUNIPER MAKES $100,000 GIFT

FOR VALERIE’S HOUSE NEW FOREVER HOME

FORT MYERS, FLA. March 29, 2023 – Valerie’s House is one giant step closer to completing its dream of having a home of its own for grieving children and families in Lee County with the donation of $100,000 in landscaping services from Juniper, a Fort Myers-based company with offices throughout Florida.

Landscape Design by Juniper

Juniper will be providing all design, landscape, irrigation and outdoor lighting on the one acre site at 3551 Shoemaker Lane in Fort Myers.

Juniper is the latest in a long list of community support for Valerie’s House, which initially began with the donation of the one acre property from the City of Fort Myers in November of 2019.  The project is now 50 percent complete with an anticipated opening this fall.

“We are grateful for all of the people who continue to want to be a part of Valerie’s House,” said Founder and CEO Angela Melvin.  “Having the talents of Juniper for our outdoor areas is helping us bring this house of healing to life with the Old Florida style that we love.”

“The design will include a memory garden, walking trail, larger, mature trees and outdoor lighting so the spaces can be enjoyed into the evenings,” said Dan deMont, chief revenue officer for Juniper.

“Juniper Cares, our charitable fund, has primarily focused its outreach and support on worthy youth organizations. Valerie’s House could not be a better example of that,” deMont said.

A total of $2.6 million has been raised toward the $3 million cost of the new home that is under construction on land donated by the City of Fort Myers under a $1 per year lease.  

The home will be a cozy, warm, old Florida style structure. The 7,000-square-foot facility will also allow Valerie’s House to help more children and provide wrap-around services, such as individual grief counseling to support families who desperately need it.

Valerie’s House is still looking for sponsors for several areas in the home, including the playground area, the activities gazebo and some of the children’s rooms.

“If you haven't donated yet, please consider being a part of our family,” Melvin said. “We are so close to reaching our goal. When the doors open later this year, you will know you are a part of this legacy for our community.”

To review the Family is Forever Home, visit www.valerieshouse.org/capital-campaign, call 239-478-6734, or email Project Manager Sterling Lund at sterling.lund@valerieshouse.org

Valerie’s House has helped more than 2,000 children and their families since its founding in 2016 by Angela Melvin, whose mother Valerie was killed in a car accident in 1987.

One in seven children in Florida is predicted to lose a parent or sibling before the age of 25, according to the 2022 Childhood Bereavement Estimation Model.

Valerie’s House currently offers peer support groups and other activities at locations in Fort Myers, Naples, Punta Gorda, Port Charlotte and Pensacola. Valerie's House is a United Way partner agency and is fully supported by community donations.

 About Valerie’s House

Valerie’s House opened in January 2016 and has served more than 2,000 children and their families from Lee, Collier, Charlotte, and Hendry counties. The organization provides a safe, comfortable place for children to share, grieve and heal together following the death of a close family member. Valerie’s House has three locations: 1762 Fowler St. in downtown Fort Myers, 819 Myrtle Terrace in Naples and group therapy meetings at several churches in Charlotte County.  For more information, visit www.valerieshouse.org

About Juniper

Juniper was founded in 2001 and has grown to become the 17th largest landscape provider in the United States, according to Lawn & Landscape Magazine.  The Fort Myers-based company employs 2,200 people in 18 branches throughout Florida. For more information, visit www.junipercares.com

The United Way of Charlotte County Awards Valerie's House with $37,000 Grant

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                          

Media Contacts:

Nina Mendes, Communications Coordinator Christine Carey, Charlotte County Director

Valerie’s House Valerie’s House

nina@valerieshouse.org christine@valerieshouse.org

(239) 204-5804 (239) 841-0382

 The United Way of Charlotte County Awards Valerie's House with $37,000 Grant

FORT MYERS, Fla. – February 9, 2023 – A $37,152 grant has been awarded to Valerie’s House, a nonprofit organization in Southwest Florida helping children grieve, which will help expand the organization’s grief support services in Charlotte County.

This grant was made possible by the United Way of Charlotte County and will help fund Valerie’s House peer grief support groups.

“We are so thankful to receive support from the United Way of Charlotte County,” Valerie’s House Charlotte County Director Christine Carey said. “This partnership will help us expand our reach to help more grieving children in our community.”

More than 4,000 children living in Charlotte County have experienced the death of a parent or sibling. Valerie’s House Charlotte County currently provides services to grieving families out of New Life Church in Punta Gorda and Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Port Charlotte.

“Our group nights continue to grow as we raise awareness of our services,” Carey said. “Bereaved families need support, and it’s crucial to be able to provide them with resources at no cost.”

Research shows that bereaved teens have higher high school dropout rates, lower test scores, and lower college attendance. Young children who experience the death of a parent or sibling are more likely to be expelled from school, repeat a grade, and are less likely to be enrolled in gifted education programs.

Thankfully, research also indicates that interventions, like the grief support programs offered by Valerie’s House, can mitigate these risks and improve the likelihood that grieving families will thrive despite their devastating loss.

Valerie’s House programming is designed to teach grieving children that loss doesn’t have to limit their dreams. What began as grief support groups held twice per month has evolved into a complete offering of wraparound services designed to fully support the mental health and well-being of each grieving child and their caregiver.

About Valerie’s House

Since its opening in 2016, Valerie’s House has helped more than 2,000 children grieve the loss of a loved one.

Valerie’s House currently offers support groups and other activities at a home on 1762 Fowler Street in Fort Myers and a home in Naples at 819 Myrtle Terrace. Valerie’s House also holds group meetings at New Life Church in Punta Gorda and Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Port Charlotte. Valerie’s House is a United Way partner agency and is fully supported by community donations. More information can be found at www.valerieshouse.org.

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Interior Designers Announced for Valerie's House New Forever Home

Construction of the Lee County Forever Home

FORT MYERS, FLA. January 17, 2023 – Valerie’s House is one giant step closer to completing its dream of having a home of its own for grieving children and families in Lee County.  Several local interior designers have stepped up to be the first to donate their creativity for the home under construction at 3551 Shoemaker Lane in Fort Myers.

The designers are the latest in a long list of community support for Valerie’s House, which initially began with the donation of a one acre property from the City of Fort Myers in November of 2019.  Lennar Homes, Tomahawk Construction, Wayne Wiles Carpet, Creighton Construction and several others have stepped forward to help complete the project, which had been delayed due to COVID.

“We are very grateful for all of the people who continue to want to be a part of Valerie’s House,” said Founder and CEO Angela Melvin.  “Having the creative talents of local interior designers is helping us bring this house of healing to life.”

The initial interior designers on the Valerie’s House Lee County Forever Home team are as follows:

●  Lisa Davenport of LDD Interiors in Naples/Bonita Springs;

●  Jolene Hardy of Jolene Designs in Fort Myers;

●  Luanza Maitland of Norris Furniture and Interiors in Fort Myers; and

●  Mickey Dickson Marzucco of Ecru & Ebony Design in Naples;

The designers have helped Valerie’s House create floor layouts for the different healing rooms to allow each space to be functional for the grief support groups and other activities that will be held at Valerie’s House.

Valerie’s House is now seeking local furniture stores, lighting, window treatments, and other businesses that will help furnish and fill the interior spaces.

A complete list of room designs and needs is posted on the Valerie’s House website at www.valerieshouse.org/first-floor-design and www.valerieshouse.org/second-floor-design.

Among the more unusual items needed are boxing gloves, hanging punching bags and tumbling mats for the Valerie’s House Volcano Room.

“Our Volcano room will help youngsters burn off energy and anger about the loss in their lives.  Punching bags and boxing gloves will help them express the emotions they are feeling,” Melvin said.

There are 30 rooms to furnish with some still available for sponsorship.  All donors will be permanently recognized on a wall in the hallway of support. To make a donation, visit www.valerieshouse.org/capital-campaign, call 239-478-6734, or email Project Manager Sterling Lund at sterling.lund@valerieshouse.org

“If you haven't donated yet, please consider being a part of our family,” Melvin said. “We are so close to reaching our goal. When the doors later this year, you will know you are a part of this legacy for our community.’

A total of $2.6 million has been raised toward the $3 million cost of the new home that is under construction on land donated by the City of Fort Myers under a $1 per year lease.  

The home will be a cozy, warm, old Florida style structure. The 7,000-square-foot facility will also allow Valerie’s House to help more children and provide wrap-around services, such as individual grief counseling to support families who desperately need it.

Lennar Homes is acting as the project manager for the construction of the home, which is expected to be completed by late summer.  

Valerie’s House has helped more than 2,000 children and their families since its founding in 2016 by Angela Melvin, whose mother Valerie was killed in a car accident in 1987.

One in seven children in Florida is predicted to lose a parent or sibling before the age of 25, according to the 2022 Childhood Bereavement Estimation Model.

Valerie’s House currently offers peer support groups and other activities at locations in Fort Myers, Naples, Punta Gorda, Port Charlotte and Pensacola. Valerie's House is a United Way partner agency and is fully supported by community donations.

About Valerie’s House

Valerie’s House opened in January 2016 and has served more than 2,000 children and their families from Lee, Collier, Charlotte, and Hendry counties. The organization provides a safe, comfortable place for children to share, grieve and heal together following the death of a close family member. Valerie’s House has three locations: 1762 Fowler St. in downtown Fort Myers, 819 Myrtle Terrace in Naples and group therapy meetings at several churches in Charlotte County.  For more information, visit www.valerieshouse.org

Valerie’s House Receives Donation for New Home Grief support center for children will expand with new location

December 9, 2022

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                          

Media Contacts:

Crista Brandt, Valerie’s House Pensacola,

850-266-0795, crista@valerieshouse.org

Valerie’s House Receives Donation for New Home

Grief support center for children will expand with a new location

Pensacola, Fla. – December 9, 2022  - Valerie’s House, a non-profit in Pensacola with the sole mission of helping children grieve the death of a family member, will expand into a new home thanks to the generosity of a donation from a Pensacola family foundation.

The Chadbourne Foundation has donated $500,000 for the purchase of the new Valerie’s House in Pensacola.  The Chadbourne Foundation, under the leadership of Caroline and Brian DeMaria, made the donation after getting to know the mission when a family member and their child attended Valerie’s House support groups. Valerie’s House- The Chadbourne Foundation Home for Grieving Families will be located inside a cozy, historic home at 904 East Gadsden Street. 

Chadbourne Foundation, statement

Valerie’s House- The Chadbourne Foundation Home for Grieving Families is the first free standing location in the region with its sole mission to offer ongoing grief support for children and adults at no cost to families.  Valerie’s House is not a formalized counseling center, but a community and a platform for grieving families to come together and help each other through the grieving process. Valerie’s House is based on a national model and helps children share, connect, and build bonds with other kids their age. The program uses a variety of art, music and journaling activities.  The vision of Valerie’s House is that no child will grieve alone.

Valerie’s House Pensacola founder Crista Brandt, whose own mother died when she was 11 years old, said the new home will allow the organization to help many more grieving children in a warm and inviting environment.

“We are very grateful for The Chadbourne Foundation’s generosity and their belief in our mission,” Brandt said.  “This new home will be a game changer in how our community is able to help families heal after a death in their family and it is a dream come true for our families.”

Valerie’s House expanded into the panhandle in late 2020 with Brandt’s leadership and in less than two years, has helped more than 100 children and their families find connection and healing in one of their various peer support groups.

 “When I was 11, my mother lost her battle with cancer.  I didn’t know anyone that had a parent die or understand what I was dealing with,” Brandt said. “I held in my pain and it made it much worse for my family.  It’s our mission to make sure no child ever has to grieve alone in our community.”

Valerie’s House Pensacola has been utilizing the Big Brothers Big Sisters building off Creighton Road since opening in 202 but has quickly outgrew the space.

Brandt says Valerie’s House is looking forward to the opportunities the new house will bring in helping grieving children and families in the community.

“We know grieving families need to be together and to have a place where they know they can be themselves and heal without judgement,” Brandt said. “That’s exactly what this home will be for our families. We are excited for the future.”

About Valerie’s House

Valerie’s House first opened its doors in 2016 in Fort Myers in a small cozy home and has followed with expansions into Naples, Port Charlotte, and now Pensacola, Florida.  Valerie’s House was founded by Angela Melvin, whose mother Valerie, died in a car accident in 1987.

Valerie's House is a 501 © 3 non-profit and its Pensacola chapter is a United Way partner agency and fully supported by community donations.  To learn more, please go to www.valerieshouse.org/pensacola or contact Crista Brandt at crista@valerieshouse.org.

Valerie’s House Founder Angela Melvin Appears On National Television

December 2, 2022

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                          

 Media Contacts:

Angela Melvin, Founder & CEO                                                                                                                                         Susan Bennett, APR, CPRC

Valerie’s House                                                                                                                                                      Susan Bennett Marketing & Media 

239-204-5804                                                                                                                                                                                   (239) 277-5255

angela@valerieshouseswfl.org                                                                                                                                         sbennett@susanbennett.biz

Valerie’s House Founder Angela Melvin Appears On National Television

FORT MYERS, Fla. – December 2, 2022 – Angela Melvin, founder and CEO of Valerie’s House, was a special guest on “Live With Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest” on WINK-TV today.

Melvin said she received a call November 22 from the show’s producers, asking if she would be available for the interview as their Good News story.

The six-minute interview was done via Zoom from the Valerie’s House location in downtown Fort Myers.

As a result of the interview, Melvin said she has received dozens of calls and emails asking about Valerie’s House and how callers can have a Valerie’s House in their community.  The Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest show also donated $5,000 to Valerie’s House to continue their good work.

“It was a great experience as I was able to tell the Valerie’s House story to a national audience and spread the word about how to help children grieve the loss of a loved one,” Melvin said after the interview.

Valerie’s House first opened its doors with 20 children and their caregivers on the evening of January 11, 2016, in a small house in downtown Fort Myers.  Since then, the organization has grown to help more than 2,000 children and expanded into three additional locations across Southwest Florida, including Naples, Punta Gorda, Port Charlotte and its newest location in Pensacola.

The interview came on the heels of National Children’s Grief Awareness Month in November. One in seven children in Florida is predicted to lose a parent or sibling before the age of 25, according to the 2021 Childhood Bereavement Estimation Model.

In addition to talking about the founding of Valerie’s House, Melvin discussed the Pay It Forward vision of Valerie’s House where teens who have gone through the program then come back and mentor other grieving children.

Ryan and Kelly also asked Melvin about Valerie’s House expanding throughout the state and nationally.  Melvin replied, “We know there are many places around the country that are without grief support services for children and if we can help other communities start something similar to Valerie’s House, we will do so.”

Valerie’s House provides a safe, comfortable place for children and their families to heal together following the death of someone they love. Valerie’s House offers support groups and other activities at a home on 1762 Fowler Street in Fort Myers and a home in Naples at 819 Myrtle Terrace. Valerie's House also holds group meetings in Charlotte County at First United Methodist Church in Punta Gorda at 507 W. Marion Ave. and at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church at 2565 Tamiami Trail in Port Charlotte.  Support services are also offered in Pensacola. Valerie's House is a United Way partner agency and is fully supported by community donations.  More information can be found at www.valerieshouse.org.

California Closets Makes Major Donation to Valerie's House for New Forever Home

FORT MYERS, FLA.,– California Closets has made a major gift to Valerie’s House for its new Forever Home under construction at 3551 Shoemaker Lane in Fort Myers.

California Closets has donated $50,000 to sponsor one of the new therapy rooms and has agreed to donate the materials and labor to install the built-in shelving and closets throughout the home. “We are very grateful to California Closets for helping us build our new Forever Home,” said Valerie’s House Founder and CEO Angela Melvin.  “The generosity of Bo Woods and Suzi Henderson ensures that we will be able to fulfill our mission of no child grieving alone after the death of a loved one.”

The built-ins will be needed throughout the home to store materials needed for grief support activities, according to Sterling Lund, Valerie’s House project manager. One of the most important areas to be built into the new home will be the teddy bear wall.

Woods said they have been supporters of Valerie’s House for several years.

“Our goal is to apply our expertise and product to create a calm, organized space that allows the staff at Valerie’s House to focus on what matters most,” Woods said.

vICE President bO hENDERSON, WIFE sUSIE Woods, DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, TayLOR wOODS & Director of Sales & Marketing, hEATHER wOODS

California Closets plans to spend a day volunteering on property to install their custom pieces. “It is important to our company that everyone can be involved in helping make this project possible” says Woods.

A total of $2.5 million has been raised toward the $3 million cost of the new home that is under construction on land donated by the City of Fort Myers under a $1 per year lease.  Several room sponsorship opportunities for the community are available.

The home will be a cozy, warm, old Florida style structure, with special rooms like a volcano room, which allows children to work out any anger or other emotions they have because of their loss.  The 7,000-square-foot facility will allow Valerie’s House to help more children and provide wrap-around services, such as individual grief counseling to support families who desperately need it.

Lennar Homes is acting as the project manager for the construction of the home, which is expected to be completed by mid-2023.  

Valerie’s House has helped more than 2,000 children and their families since its founding in 2016 by Angela Melvin, whose own mother was killed in a car accident in 1987.

One in seven children in Florida is predicted to lose a parent or sibling before the age of 25, according to the 2022 Childhood Bereavement Estimation Model.

Valerie’s House currently offers peer support groups and other activities at locations in Fort Myers, Naples, Punta Gorda, and Port Charlotte. Valerie's House is a United Way partner agency and is fully supported by community donations.

For more information about Valerie’s House or to make a donation to the Forever Home Campaign, visit www.valerieshouseswfl.org/capital-campaign, call 239-478-6734, or write angela@valerieshouseswfl.org. 

About Valerie’s House

Valerie’s House opened in January 2016 and has served more than 2,000 children and their families from Lee, Collier, Charlotte, and Hendry counties. The organization provides a safe, comfortable place for children to share, grieve and heal together following the death of a close family member. Valerie’s House has three locations: 1762 Fowler St. in downtown Fort Myers, 819 Myrtle Terrace in Naples and group therapy meetings at several churches in Charlotte County.  For more information, visit www.valerieshouse.org

About California Closets

For more than forty years, California Closets has built a reputation as a leader in premium and luxury space management, delivering truly custom products and unparalleled service California Closets sees home as more than just a place—it is a source of comfort and refuge, a space for connection and celebration. Committed to offering quality custom storage solutions, California Closets helps give people a sense or organization that allows them to focus on what matters most. Today, there are 120 showrooms and 700+ designers across North America.

Valerie’s House Gives Children a Voice During National Children’s Grief Awareness Month in November

 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                                          

 Media Contacts:

Angela Melvin, Founder & CEO                                                                         Susan Bennett, APR, CPRC

Valerie’s House                                                                                                                                                      Susan Bennett Marketing & Media 

239-204-5804                                                                                                                                                                                  (239) 277-5255

angela@valerieshouseswfl.org                                                                                                                                    sbennett@susanbennett.biz

Valerie’s House Gives Children a Voice During

National Children’s Grief Awareness Month in November

FORT MYERS, Fla. – October 31, 2022 – Valerie’s House, a nonprofit organization helping children grieve the loss of a loved one, is participating in National Children’s Grief Awareness Month in November with numerous activities to give grieving children a voice.

“The loss and destruction the Southwest Florida community has experienced from Hurricane Ian now further compounds the emotions grieving children are experiencing. Children are grieving so much – their schools, their homes, their entire neighborhoods, another loved one in their life may also have died,” said Valerie’s House Founder and CEO Angela Melvin.  “We must stand with them and support them now more than ever.”

Two major events are planned during the month:

●        Valerie’s House in Fort Myers will host an open house so the public including families, school professionals, and other community members can tour the house and learn more about its grief support services Thursday, November 17, which is National Children’s Grief Awareness Day.  Professionals who work with children are encouraged to wear blue and drop by Valerie’s House at 1762 Fowler St. from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Please RSVP to molly@valerieshouse.org

●        Valerie’s House in Naples will host a Live Art Event on Friday, November 18, at 819 Myrtle Terrace.  Visitors are invited to drop by from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. to meet local artists, enjoy small bites and a raffle as well as an opportunity to tour Valerie’s House and learn more about how art helps children heal. Tickets are free. RSVP to sarah.andrus@valerieshouse.org

Throughout National Children’s Grief Awareness Month, Valerie’s House will share personal stories from families during videos, podcasts, interviews and other profiles posted on Facebook and on their website. They also are encouraging residents to share their own stories of loss on social media and how they have survived the trauma.   

“We are asking everyone to join with us in helping. Reach out to anyone you know who is grieving and tell them about Valerie’s House.  Let them know we are here for them and that they are not alone.  Give them a voice, let them know you hear them,” Melvin said.

Valerie’s House counselors have been invited into Lee County schools during November to train school personnel on how to help children experiencing the trauma of losing their school or home to Hurricane Ian.

“A lot of kids are grieving the loss of their school and their classmates in addition to the loss of their homes.  They need a sense of normalcy, which we will strive to provide so that school personnel can better respond to students impacted by Ian,” Melvin said.

Valerie’s House first opened its doors with 20 children and their caregivers on the evening of January 11, 2016 in a small house in downtown Fort Myers.  Since then, the organization has grown to help more than 2,000 children and expanded into three addtional locations across Southwest Florida, including Naples, Punta Gorda, Port Charlotte and its newest location in Pensacola.

One in seven children in Florida is predicted to lose a parent or sibling before the age of 25, according to the 2021 Childhood Bereavement Estimation Model.

Valerie’s House provides a safe, comfortable place for children and their families to heal together following the death of someone they love. Valerie’s House offers support groups and other activities at a home on 1762 Fowler Street in Fort Myers and a home in Naples at 819 Myrtle Terrace. Valerie's House also holds group meetings in Charlotte County at First United Methodist Church in Punta Gorda at 507 W. Marion Ave. and at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church at 2565 Tamiami Trail in Port Charlotte.  Support services are also offered in Pensacola. Valerie's House is a United Way partner agency and is fully supported by community donations.  More information can be found at www.valerieshouse.org.

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Valerie's House Hires Director of Programs

FOR MORE INFO:

Angela Melvin, CEO                                                   Susan Bennett, APR, CPRC

Valerie’s House                                                          Susan Bennett Marketing & Media 

239-204-5804                                                              (239) 277-5255

Angela@valerieshouse.org                                        sbennett@susanbennett.biz

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

VALERIE’S HOUSE HIRES DIRECTOR OF PROGRAMS 

FORT MYERS, FLA., September 6, 2022 – Valerie’s House has hired Val Gill as the Director of Programs.

In her new role, Gill will help grieving families who have lost a loved one by creating and nurturing programs that will help them heal.

“We are very fortunate to have someone with Val’s background join Valerie’s House,” said Valerie’s House CEO Angela Melvin.  “She has been a volunteer at Valerie’s House for the past four years.  The children and families here made such an imprint on her heart that she decided to join the team full-time.”

Gill earned her bachelor’s degree in criminology from USF followed by her Master of Arts in mental health counseling from Florida Gulf Coast University.

She has experience in not-for-profit agencies overseeing clinical, prevention and community outreach programs.  As director of clinical and prevention services at the Children’s Advocacy Center in Fort Myers, she witnessed the transformation from survivor to thriver in many children and adolescents.

Most recently, she had her own private practice specializing in trauma-related life challenges. 

Valerie’s House has locations in Naples and Fort Myers and has provided grief support services to more than 400 Collier County children and caregivers since its opening in Collier County in 2017. 

Valerie’s House was founded in Fort Myers in 2016 by Angela Melvin, whose own mother was killed in a car accident in 1987, and has expanded to include locations in Fort Myers and Naples as well as Punta Gorda, Port Charlotte and Pensacola.

One in seven children in Florida is predicted to lose a parent or sibling before the age of 25, according to the 2022 Childhood Bereavement Estimation Model.

Valerie's House is fully supported by community donations.

About Valerie’s House

Valerie’s House opened in January 2016 and has served more than 2,000 children and their families from Charlotte, Sarasota, Glades, Lee, Hendry and Collier, counties as well as the Florida panhandle. The organization provides a safe, comfortable place for children to share, grieve and heal together following the death of a close family member. Valerie’s House has five locations: 819 Myrtle Terrace in Naples, 1762 Fowler St. in downtown Fort Myers, and grief support group meetings at 1st United Methodist Church at 507 West Marion Ave. in Punta Gorda and Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 2565 Tamiami Trail, in Port Charlotte. Support services also are available at the Charlotte Family Services Center at 21500 Gibralter Drive in Port Charlotte.  For more information, visit www.valerieshouse.org

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Valerie’s House Announces $50,000 in College Scholarships

 FOR MORE INFO:

Angela Melvin, CEO                                                                   Susan Bennett, APR, CPRC

Valerie’s House                                                                                                                                                      Susan Bennett Marketing & Media 

239-204-5804                                                                                                                                                                                         239-277-5255

angela@valerieshouse.org                                                                                                                                               sbennett@susanbennett.biz

Valerie’s House Announces $50,000 in

College Scholarships

FORT MYERS, Fla. – August 8, 2022 – Valerie’s House, a nonprofit organization in Southwest Florida helping children grieve the loss of a loved one, has awarded $50,000 in college scholarships for graduating high school seniors who have come through and found support in the Valerie’s House grief support program..

It’s the first year that Valerie’s House has offered the scholarships of $2,500 per year for four years for a total of $10,000 per student. Five local students were chosen based on an essay they each wrote about their personal grief story and how their loss shaped them as the person they are and the person they want to become.

The scholarship recipients are:

●        Alexis Dehetre of Fort Myers, who graduated from Mariner High School and plans to attend Florida Gulf Coast University;

●        Mackenzie Francois of Naples, who graduated from Gulf Coast High School and plans to attend Florida Gulf Coast University;

●        Taylor Gagnon of Fort Myers, who graduated from Bishop Verot High School and attends Nova Southeastern University;

●        Coral Morley of Naples, who graduated from Naples High School and plans to attend the University of Georgia; and

●        Allison Stenza of Naples, who graduated from Barron Collier High School and plans to attend Florida Atlantic University.

“This is the next step in the grieving process to help these young adults who have lost a loved one,” said Valerie’s House Founder and CEO Angela Melvin.  “We are very grateful to our donors who have made this scholarship program possible.”

The scholarship funds may be used for classes, materials, or anything they need during the school year.

“The students are to check in with us every semester and tell us something that they worked through that was challenging during the semester, how they worked through it or something great that they accomplished, “ said Staci VanSlambrouch, mentor and family support coordinator who is in charge of the scholarship program.

To donate and help the Valerie’s House Scholarship Fund, visit www.valerieshouse.org/donate

Valerie’s House first opened its doors with 20 children and their caregivers on the evening of January 11, 2016 in a small house in downtown Fort Myers.  Since then, the organization has grown to help more than 2,000 children and expanded into three locations across Southwest Florida, including one in Naples and Punta Gorda.

One in seven children in Florida is predicted to lose a parent or sibling before the age of 25, according to the 2021 Childhood Bereavement Estimation Model.

Valerie’s House provides a safe, comfortable place for children and their families to heal together following the death of someone they love. Valerie’s House offers support groups and other activities at a home on 1762 Fowler Street in Fort Myers and a home in Naples at 819 Myrtle Terrace. Valerie's House also holds group meetings in Charlotte County at First United Methodist Church in Punta Gorda at 507 W. Marion Ave. and at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church at 2565 Tamiami Trail in Port Charlotte. Valerie's House is a United Way partner agency and is fully supported by community donations.  More information can be found at www.valerieshouse.org.

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Alexis Dehetre

Mackenzie Francois

Taylor Gagnon

Coral Morley

Allison Stenza

CFS Roofing Makes Major Gift To Valerie's House New Forever Home

July 26, 2022

FOR MORE INFO:

Angela Melvin, CEO                                                                   Susan Bennett, APR, CPRC

Valerie’s House                                                                                                                                                      Susan Bennett Marketing & Media 

239-204-5804                                                                                                                                                                                         239-277-5255

angela@valerieshouse.org                                                                                                                                               sbennett@susanbennett.biz

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CFS ROOFING MAKES MAJOR GIFT

TO VALERIE’S HOUSE NEW FOREVER HOME

FORT MYERS, FLA., July 26, 2022 – The new “Forever Home” of Valerie’s House under construction on Shoemaker Lane will have a free roof, thanks to a donation in part by CFS Roofing Services.

CFS Roofing President David Crowther and his wife Karen have stepped up and agreed to provide the underlayment and labor to install the shingle and metal roof for the 7,000 – square-foot building.  Shingles for the roof will be provided at no cost by GAF & ABC Roofing. The CFS gift is valued at $15,000.

“Our success provides an opportunity for CFS and its employees to give back to organizations like Valerie’s House through money, skills and time,” Crowther said.

After 30 years in the family business, David Crowther stepped out on his own to open CFS Roofing Services in 2010.  The company is a full service, licensed and insured roofing and sheet metal contractor for both residential and commercial construction in addition to a full service mechanical division.

Recent projects include Cypress Cove at HealthPark in Fort Myers, Cape Coral Fire Station, the new GGG High School in Naples, and the Historic Punta Gorda Train Depot, to name just a few. 

“We are so thankful that David and CFS Roofing have joined our family of donors.  Valerie’s House exists because of the generosity of CFS Roofing and so many others who have made our dream a reality,” said Valerie’s House Founder and CEO Angela Melvin. “This home will always be a place for grieving families to call their own. Regardless of what happens in the future, having this home means no child will ever have to grieve alone in our community.”

A total of $2.5 million has been raised toward the $3 million cost of the new home.   Several room sponsorship opportunities for the community are available.

The home is a cozy, warm, old Florida style structure, with special rooms like a volcano room, which allows children to work out any anger or other emotions they have because of their loss.  The facility will allow Valerie’s House to help more children and provide wrap-around services, such as individual grief counseling to support families who desperately need it.

Lennar Homes is acting as the project manager for the construction of the home, which is expected to be completed by mid-2023. 

Valerie’s House has helped more than 2,000 children and their families since its founding in 2016 by Angela Melvin, whose own mother was killed in a car accident in 1987.

One in seven children in Florida is predicted to lose a parent or sibling before the age of 25, according to the 2022 Childhood Bereavement Estimation Model.

Valerie’s House currently offers peer support groups and other activities at locations in Fort Myers, Naples, Punta Gorda, and Port Charlotte. Valerie's House is a United Way partner agency and is fully supported by community donations.

For more information about Valerie’s House or to make a donation to the Forever Home Campaign, visit www.valerieshouseswfl.org/capital-campaign, call 239-478-6734, or write angela@valerieshouseswfl.org. 

About Valerie’s House

Valerie’s House opened in January 2016 and has served more than 2,000 children and their families from Lee, Collier, Charlotte, and Hendry counties. The organization provides a safe, comfortable place for children to share, grieve and heal together following the death of a close family member. Valerie’s House has three locations: 1762 Fowler St. in downtown Fort Myers, 819 Myrtle Terrace in Naples and group therapy meetings at several churches in Charlotte County.  For more information, visit www.valerieshouse.org

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