Valerie’s House is marking a major milestone this month as it celebrates 10 years of serving grieving children, teens, and families across Southwest Florida.
Founded in January 2016, Valerie’s House opened its doors as the first children’s bereavement center in Southwest Florida. The organization began with just 20 children meeting in a rented space in downtown Fort Myers on January 11, 2016. Today, Valerie’s House has grown to serve nearly 7,000 children and families across Southwest Florida who are grieving the death of a loved one.
Over the past decade, Valerie’s House has expanded significantly, now employing 37 total staff members and serving families through three locations across Southwest Florida. The organization’s growth includes the opening of the Fort Myers Family is Forever Home, the development of a robust clinical counseling department, a volunteer training program that prepares more than 60 volunteers each year to support grieving families, and strong partnerships with local schools, law enforcement, and higher education institutions.
These partnerships include educator trainings, collaboration with Florida Gulf Coast University’s social work program, and intentional efforts to help train the next generation of grief counselors. Teen ambassadors and young adult leaders who once participated in the program now play an active role in supporting peers and advancing the mission.
“I never could have imagined how far we have come in such a short period of time,” said Angela Melvin Churchill, founder and CEO of Valerie’s House. “I am incredibly grateful for the support of this community. None of this would have been possible without the families, volunteers, donors, and partners who believed in this mission from the very beginning.”
Valerie’s House is celebrating its decade of service with a full schedule of commemorative initiatives and events throughout 2026, including:
• The creation and branding of a special 10-year anniversary logo;
• City and county proclamations recognizing the organization’s impact, with formal proclamations presented by both the Lee County Commission and the Fort Myers City Council on January 20;
• “Where Are They Now?” — a storytelling series spotlighting some of the first Valerie’s House families and how the organization helped them learn that loss does not have to limit their dreams;
• A candlelight vigil and gratitude event honoring original Valerie’s House families, donors, and supporters who helped the organization grow;
• A Florida Everblades fundraising and awareness night on March 7, featuring Valerie’s House children singing “God Bless America” before the game;
• The launch of a newly redesigned Valerie’s House website and the debut of a Valerie’s House app;
• An in-depth interview with Melvin Churchill on the Valerie’s House *Grieve Love Heal* podcast, sharing never-before-heard details about the early days of building the organization;
• Community billboards across Southwest Florida to reach families who may be grieving and unaware of available support;
• Children’s Grief Awareness Month activities in November, including an open house and the third annual Sunset Soiree at the Family is Forever Home; and
• The launch of special fundraising initiatives tied to the 10-year anniversary.
“Even after ten years of service to our community, we recognize many grieving families may still not know about our program,” Melvin Churchill said. “We are asking everyone to help reach out to anyone you know who is grieving. Let them know we are here for them and that they are not alone. Give them a voice. Let them know they are heard.”
“Since 2016, Valerie’s House has welcomed thousands of children and families, offering a caring and comfortable space where they can grieve, connect with others who understand, and find hope for the future,” said Fort Myers Mayor Kevin Anderson, a Valerie’s House Board member.
Valerie’s House was founded by Melvin Churchill in 2016 following the loss of her mother, Valerie, who was killed in a car accident in 1987 when Angela was just 10 years old. Remembering the isolation and confusion she experienced as a grieving child, Melvin Churchill created Valerie’s House so no child would have to grieve alone
Valerie’s House currently offers peer support groups and related programming at locations in Fort Myers, Naples, and Punta Gorda. Valerie’s House is a United Way partner agency and is fully supported through community donations and grant funding.
Families seeking grief support or individuals interested in supporting Valerie’s House can learn more at www.valerieshouse.org.
