Valerie’s House Marks Expansion into Collier County with Grand Opening Celebrations and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony

Huge Volunteer Effort Transforms New Naples Home into Creative, Healing Space for Grieving Children

Naples, Fla. (August 5, 2019) – Valerie’s House will celebrate its expansion into Collier County with the opening of a new home dedicated to helping grieving children heal after the loss of a loved one. The community is invited to see Valerie’s House’s new healing space at two celebrations to be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Sept. 10 and 11 at 819 Myrtle Terrace in Naples. A ribbon cutting ceremony with the Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce ambassadors and invited dignitaries will take place at 5 p.m. Sept. 10. Guests then will have an opportunity to enjoy refreshments, meet Valerie’s House families, learn more about its programs and tour the new home.

Valerie’s House’s unique program model gives children a safe, home-like environment to identify, express and process grief using art, music and other holistic services. Because its programs are typically held in a home, Valerie’s House makes children feel more comfortable than in traditional therapeutic settings. After bonding over a potluck dinner, children break into age-appropriate groups in rooms where they can share their experiences while caregivers meet simultaneously in their own support group.

The local interior design community along with hundreds of volunteers and businesses have come together to make Valerie’s House in Naples a reality. Designers and volunteers have transformed the bedrooms and common spaces of two neighboring homes into themed healing rooms: Imagination Playroom, Volcano Room, Chill Room, Art Room, Caregiver Room, Gathering Room and the Littles, Middles and Teens Rooms.

Designers on this project are: Ecru and Ebony Design; Innovative Design Solutions; Lisa Davenport Designs; Lovetto Design; Statewide Window Treatments; Beverly’s Angels; Freestyle Interiors; L Design Studios; Lois Bolin; Seacoast Interiors; Wilfredo Emanuel Design; and The Find Furniture Consignment.

Barbara Del Castillo, a 16-year-old Valerie’s House volunteer, painted murals in two rooms. “I really hope my artwork helps them find a lot of peace and calmness,” she said of the children and families served by Valerie’s House. “They come in and they feel like this is home, this is where they’re meant to be.”

Valerie’s House received a $100,000 grant from the Naples Children & Education Foundation, the founders of the Naples Winter Wine Festival, a grant from VITAS Healthcare, and an anonymous gift from the family of children receiving care from Valerie’s House-Naples, to expand its program in Collier County.

To reserve a spot at one of the Grand Opening Celebrations, contact Valerie’s House at events@ValeriesHouseSWFL.org or call 239.204.5804.

ABOUT VALERIE’S HOUSE

As the first and only grief support program focused solely on helping children, Valerie’s House provides a safe, comfortable place for children to bond, grieve and heal together following the death of an immediate family member. Valerie’s House serves children and families in Fort Myers, Naples and Punta Gorda. A nonprofit organization, Valerie’s House is a United Way partner agency that is also supported through generous donations from the community. To learn more, enroll in programs, volunteer or donate, visit www.valerieshouseswfl.org or email info@valerieshouseswfl.org.

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Barbara Del Castillo, 16, shared her talents painting murals at Valerie’s House new home in Naples.

Media contact:

Miriam Pereira
Valerie’s House Inc.
Office: 239-204-5804
miriam@valerieshouseswfl.org