Valerie’s House for Grieving Families opens a satellite location in Cape
Valerie’s House for Grieving Families has expanded to a satellite location in Cape Coral.
Founded in January, the non-profit organization helps children and families work through grief following the death of a loved one. Available to youth ages 4 to 19, it offers a safe place to share and receive support with others who are grieving as well, while moving through the healing process.
Starting this month, Valerie’s House will host support groups and activities on the first and third Tuesdays of each month from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., on the campus of Cape Christian Church, at 2110 S. Chiquita Blvd. Families must register with the organization prior to participating in the services.
“One-third of our children are coming from Cape Coral,” Angela Melvin, founder and president, said. “It’s increasing every month. We get new inquires from Cape Coral families or school counselors.”
She noted that schools are often the first to learn about the loss of a parent or sibling.
“We believe we belong in the Cape Coral community,” Melvin said.
“It’s just a natural progression for us to be there,” she added.
The sessions begin with some free playtime and a potluck dinner, followed by age-appropriate arts, crafts and music activities to help the children learn to talk about their grief, heal and bond with other children going through similar kinds of losses. One example is making collages of their loved ones.
“Children will learn to process their grief in a healthy way,” Melvin said.
She noted that they will not act out with anger, guilt or depression.
“We provide a place for them to connect with other children,” Melvin said.
Teenagers meet and often spend time discussing their feelings, struggles, healing and how they are moving through school and life with the loss. She referred to it as an open-ended peer support group.
“Just knowing that they aren’t alone,” Melvin said.
She herself lost her mother, Valerie Melvin, in an auto accident when she was 10 years old.
“You often are isolated in your grief,” Melvin said. “There’s not a lot of people who understand what you’re going through – the families have a sense of support (through Valerie’s House).”
While the children are meeting in their groups, the adults are also meeting.
“It’s a safe place for the entire family to come, connect, bond and walk through this journey together,” she said.
The expansion is being funded by a grant from the Cape Coral Community Foundation.
“We are the only organization to offer ongoing support for children between Sarasota and Miami,” Melvin said, noting that there are similar programs currently available in Orlando and Tampa.
“We are growing rapidly,” she added.
Approximately 85 children take part in the services offered by Valerie’s House. The organization is planning for an expansion before the end of the year into Naples, another area with a big need.
Valerie’s House is modeled after a nationally-recognized and acclaimed program.
According to Melvin, the program director is a social worker. There is also a facilitator with a background in social work or therapy for the groups, plus volunteer social workers or therapists.
“We also have group buddies,” she said.
Some examples are teachers, parents and guidance counselors.
“Those people also help out the groups,” Melvin said.
To register with the organization, visit online at: www.valerieshouseswfl.org/our-programs/. Families can also contact Danielle Visone, the non-profit’s program director, at 239-841-9186.
“If they have a loss, if a child has gone through the loss of parent or a sibling, then they need to get them in this program,” Melvin said. “It doesn’t matter how long the loss has been.”
For more information, visit: www.valerieshouseswfl.org/.
On Oct. 13, Valerie’s House will host its inaugural fall fundraiser, “Under the Stars at Shangri-La,” from 6-9 p.m., at Shangri-La Springs, at 27750 Old 41 Road, Bonita Springs. The event will include live calypso music, flame throwers, hors d’oeuvres and cocktails. Art creations from the participating youth will be auctioned, in addition to other silent auction packages to help support the non-profit.
Individual reserved tickets are available at $100 each, with tables of eight available for $1,000. They can be purchased online or by mail at Valerie’s House Inc., P.O. Box 1955, Fort Myers, FL 33902.