Valerie’s House Friends Became Lifeline for Savannah After the Death of Her Dad

Valerie’s House Friends Became Lifeline for Savannah After the Death of Her Dad

Seeing her friends at group night is something Savannah looks forward to every two weeks. Her smile lights up the room, and her positive energy seems to follow her everywhere she goes. “At Valerie’s House, you turn that grief and that anger and that guilt into positivity and happiness,” Savannah said. “It has changed my life.”

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Valerie’s House Helps Grady Feel Less Alone

The support many of you have already provided to our Every Sunset Brings the Promise of a New Dawn Campaign has meant so much to us. This year has been full of twists and turns, and grieving families have had to navigate loss under unprecedented circumstances.

We are proud to share that Valerie’s House families continue to meet adversity head-on and grow together because of our supportive community. Please take a moment to hear from Grady, who went from lost and lonely to a student council member with big dreams for his future. If you haven’t already donated to the campaign, please consider helping us continue to provide support and encouragement to kids who are grieving the loss of a loved one.

Celebrating Valerie's House 2020 High School Grads!

From the Valerie’s House family, we applaud the accomplishments and perseverance of our high school and college GRADUATES. They have overcome their loss and triumphed in their young life. This is only the beginning for them. Watch this tribute to the Valerie's House GRADUATES, what they share about their Grief Journey during high school and advice to other teens grieving.

Teen Finds Comfort in Virtual Grief Support During COVID-19 Pandemic

Valerie's House teen, Stori, is spending the last months of her senior year at home. Major end-of-year events are canceled, including prom and graduation. Stori wishes she was spending this time making lasting memories with her friends, because they are all going their separate ways in the Fall.

The one person who would be able to help Stori make sense of it all is not here, and that is one of the biggest challenges she's facing right now. When Stori's mother died in 2015, she lost the person she could rely on most. Stori is not alone. She and other Valerie's House teens were able to discuss their grief as it relates to the current pandemic in their new virtual support group. Stori is glad to have an outlet like Valerie's House where she can express her grief with others her own age and realize her feelings are normal and valid.

Comfort Bags for Grieving Children

Austin Wolin's Eagle Scout project to help grieving children is complete. He's delivered dozens of bags stuffed with bears, blankets, and coloring books to Golisano Children's Hospital of SWFL. The bags also contain a personal letter from Austin about the loss of his father. He hopes these bags will provide a small amount of comfort to other children after they lose a loved one and let them know they are not alone.

Speaking up about Grief and Mental Health

WINK TV's Channing Frampton spoke to Valerie's House founder, Angela Melvin, about grief and loss following the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High in Parkland, Florida on February 14. 

Find more on this story at WINK News.


If you know a child grieving the loss of a parent or sibling, contact Valerie's House for more information about our group support programs.