Valerie's House

💙 This January, we’re celebrating 1 year in our new homes! 💙 It’s been one year since we began holding peer support groups with our families at our Family is Forever Home in Fort Myers and our Valerie’s House Charlotte County home in Punta Gorda. These spaces have become places of connection, love, and hope for so many families. This Saturday, January 11, we’re also celebrating 9 incredible years since our very first group night on Avalon Street in Fort Myers. From 20 kids that first night to over 3,000 children and families served today, we’re so grateful for this journey with all of you. Here’s to many more years of hope and healing together! 💛

Welcome back, Valerie's House families! 💙 How was your holiday break? Were you able to find moments of joy, or did it feel especially challenging this year as you navigated your grief? As we kick off a new semester, we’re starting with a special activity to help process those emotions and rediscover our strengths. If you'd like to keep the activity a surprise, feel free to skip the details. But if you’re curious, check out this tutorial video from our amazing Group Night and Family Support Coordinator, Laree Lowe: https://loom.ly/EwQynHY We’re so glad to have you back and can’t wait to see you! 💙

✨ Ready to make 2025 the year you try something new? ✨ How about using a few hours to make a lasting impact on a grieving child’s life? Valerie’s House is looking for volunteers to join us as group facilitators. Training is January 10th & 11th, and it’s just a few hours a month to bring healing and hope. Let’s make this the year of meaningful change. 💙 📩 Learn more at https://lnkd.in/dVhNyCq9.

🏒 Mark Your Calendars! 🏒 On Friday, February 21, 2025, join us at Hertz Arena for Valerie’s House Fundraiser Night with the Florida Everblades! 🎉 📅 Date: February 21, 2025 🕖 Time: Doors open at 5:30 PM, puck drops at 7:30 PM 📍 Location: Hertz Arena Support grieving kids and families in Southwest Florida by purchasing your tickets through this link: https://lnkd.in/eMypfXBv. 💙 $5 from every ticket purchased through this link will benefit Valerie’s House. Tickets bought elsewhere won’t count, so grab yours here and make a difference! Let’s make it a memorable night for an incredible cause! #GrieveLoveHeal #SupportGrievingFamilies #FloridaEverblades

💙 Meet Aaron and Amber White 💙 With 2025 now here, we’re taking time to show gratitude for the amazing people who make Valerie’s House what it is today—like Aaron and Amber White. Aaron, a Valerie’s House board member, and his wife Amber give back in so many ways, from cooking their family spaghetti sauce to mentoring and volunteering. Aaron shared, “You spend just a few minutes with the kids here, and you just fall in love with what Valerie’s House does.” Thank you, Aaron and Amber, for all you do! 👉 Read more: https://lnkd.in/ez_rF-RK

Our hearts are so heavy hearing about the attack in New Orleans. Two young women from right here in Fort Myers, both Canterbury School graduates, were critically injured in this unimaginable event. 💔 We can’t begin to imagine what their families are going through right now, but we want them to know our community is standing with them. We’re keeping them in our thoughts and prayers and sending all the strength and love we can. https://loom.ly/rMrG-Kk #SouthwestFlorida #CommunitySupport #WeStandTogether

Happy New Year! 🎉 Start 2025 by making a difference. Volunteer a few hours a month with Valerie’s House to support grieving kids in SWFL. Training is Jan. 10-11. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/dVhNyCq9 💙

A Heartfelt Story of Connection at Valerie’s House Sometimes, moments happen that highlight the power of community and the lasting impact of meaningful connections. Recently, we experienced one of those moments, and it reminds us why we do what we do. The woman behind the middle quilt in the photo is Cathy Hanratty from Sanibel. For the past 4-5 years, Cathy has lovingly crafted and donated quilts to Valerie’s House. But her connection to us goes much deeper than her kind gestures. Years ago, Cathy’s veterinarian passed away, and the family requested donations to Valerie’s House in lieu of flowers. Cathy honored that request and decided to take a tour, learning more about our mission to support grieving kids and families in Southwest Florida. That visit stayed with her. Later, when her eye doctor’s wife was battling ovarian cancer, Cathy remembered Valerie’s House and shared one of our brochures. That eye doctor is Michael Pham. After losing his wife, Michael and his family joined Valerie’s House to find support and healing. Today, Michael and his youngest child, Elisa, still attend Valerie’s House, while his son Anthony, who also participated in our program, is now in college. Anthony is proving that loss doesn’t have to limit your dreams, and he’s even receiving a Valerie’s House scholarship to support his future. Stories like this give us so much hope. They show how our mission resonates with people, inspiring them to share it with those in need. Valerie’s House is more than a place—it’s a community where grievers support one another through life’s most difficult moments. We’d love for you to visit and see where healing begins. Come take a tour, learn about our mission, and experience the place where hope and connection come together. We can’t wait to welcome you.

💬 Your Voice Can Help Another Family Leaving a Google review for Valerie’s House could be what helps the next grieving family trust us enough to reach out. Your words can make a real difference in ensuring no child grieves alone. If you’ve been part of our mission, we’d love to hear from you! Leave your review here: https://lnkd.in/ewMFVNsB Thank you for helping us connect with more families in need! 💙 #GrieveLoveHeal #ValeriesHouseFamily #ShareYourStory

Post 6: 🎁 A Huge Thank You to Our Supporters 🎁 We’re keeping the gratitude flowing as we continue to celebrate the amazing people and organizations who made the holidays so special for our grieving families. You truly went above and beyond, and we couldn’t be more grateful! A big shoutout to: 48. Amy Wahlig and Estero Fire Rescue 49. Aileen Ernest and Misha Redecker along with Assured Partners 50. Laura Bryant and Castle Group 51. Steven Felger and Gretta Meza Your kindness brought so much joy and comfort to the families we serve. Thanks for being part of our Valerie’s House family and for helping us spread love and light this holiday season! ❤️ #GrieveLoveHeal #ValeriesHouse #HolidayGiving #SupportingGrievingFamilies