When then 19-year-old Nina Mendes first walked up the front steps of Valerie’s House—Fort Myers in early 2020, she was in search of a story for her university newspaper.

Nina with the Thursday Night Fort Myers Littles Group

While enrolled in a Florida Gulf Coast University course called Death and Dying, Nina learned about Valerie’s House and felt drawn to learn more.

“I was a reporter for the university newspaper at the time and wanted to raise awareness for Valerie’s House by writing an article,” Nina said.

That spring afternoon, Nina sat in the dining room with Valerie’s House Founder & CEO, Angela Melvin, and knew immediately that this was somewhere special.

Maybe it’s because her own father had lost his mom when he was twelve, or because she got chills when Angela explained what Valerie’s House means to her, but Nina knew then and there that she wanted to be a part of the organization. When Angela learned about Nina’s background in journalism and offered her an internship, she quickly accepted.

For more than a year now, Nina has been an incredible asset to the Valerie’s House team. She is a vital part of the team’s communication efforts, helping donors and the public feel more connected to the organization, and has formed lasting relationships with children and families as a group buddy.

“I really enjoy being an active listener and letting the children share what they feel comfortable with. Many of the kids just need someone to talk to, and it’s an honor to be that for them,” Nina said.

Nina also leads a peer grief support group with her dad, John, who speaks much more openly about losing his mother when he was young since he started facilitating groups with her.

“I think he sees himself in many of the kids. Working with the children is helping him with his own grief,” Nina said. “He does a great job in the groups, and I’m so happy we have this experience together.”

Nina’s empathy and positive attitude make her an unforgettable part of Valerie’s House grief support groups and an irreplaceable team member.