Valerie's House Resumes In-Person Grief Support Meetings

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Oct. 7, 2021 - PRLog -- Valerie's House, the non-profit organization that helps children grieve the loss of a loved one, has resumed in-person group therapy sessions after a six-week hiatus due to the spike in COVID-19 cases.

"The number of new families seeking grief counseling is increasing every week. About 20 percent of them are families that have lost a loved one to COVID-19," said Valerie's House Founder and CEO Angela Melvin.

Valerie's House is implementing safety precautions at all of its locations, including requiring all employees to be vaccinated and wear masks during group therapy sessions.  Families, however, will not be required to be vaccinated.

"We don't want anything to stand in the way of a child that needs grief counseling, especially since vaccination isn't available for most children right now," she said.

About 400 children and family members participate in the group therapy sessions at the three Valerie's House locations in Fort Myers, Naples and Punta Gorda.  Sessions are held Monday through Thursday evenings.

In addition, Valerie's House is now providing grief support groups for students, teachers and staff at several Lee County schools that requested the help.  Counselors are conducting grief support groups at several schools, most recently adding Cypress Lake High School, Franklin Park Elementary School and Harns Marsh Middle School in Lee County; Immokalee Middle School in Collier County; and Myakka Elementary in Punta Gorda.

Valerie's House provides a safe, comfortable place for children and their families to heal together following the death of someone they love. Valerie's House offers support groups and other activities at a home on 1762 Fowler Street in Fort Myers and a home in Naples at 819 Myrtle Terrace. Valerie's House also holds group meetings at First United Methodist Church in Punta Gorda. Valerie's House is a United Way partner agency and is fully supported by community donations.  More information can be found at www.valerieshouse.org.