Reaching out for help after the loss of a loved one can be overwhelming. In this heartfelt episode of the Grieve Love Heal podcast, Valerie’s House Founder & CEO Angela Melvin sits down with Keri Tutterrow—one of the first voices you may hear when you contact Valerie’s House. Keri shares her own grief journey, what families can expect after they make that first call or email, and how we walk alongside families every step of the way—from the first conversation to the moment they walk throu...

Welcome to a special edition of the Grieve Love Heal Podcast, where we delve deep into the poignant work being done at Valerie’s House in honor of Social Work Month. This month, we shine a spotlight on the dedicated social workers who play a crucial role in providing mental health care across the country, with a particular focus on their work at Valerie's House. Honoring Social Work Month Throughout March, Social Work Month, we celebrate the impactful work of social workers who serve as front...

In this powerful episode, we explore how tattoos can serve as lasting symbols of love, memory, and healing. Tattooed Grief dives into the personal stories behind tattoos that honor lost loved ones and capture individual journeys through grief. We’re joined by the talented Kelly Rogers, owner of Gearhead Tattoo in Cape Coral, along with one of our Valerie’s House staff members. Together, they share the transformative role that meaningful ink can play in the healing process. Plus, we’re featur...

In this powerful episode of Grieve Love Heal, produced by Valerie's House, we dive into the profound ways grief, love, and healing intersect with overdose and drugs. Released in alignment with Overdose Awareness Month and International Overdose Awareness Day, this episode features three compelling interviews that shed light on the impact of the drug epidemic. First, Valerie's House founder and CEO, Angela Melvin, speaks with Al Kinkle, founder and president of Kimmie's Recovery Zone. Al share...

Evermore is a national, nonpartisan nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of bereaved children and families. Valerie’s House had the honor of sitting down with Joyal to discuss how the bereavement care system in America needs to change. Whether it’s funeral cost gouging, unjust employment termination, or lack of access to social security, these issues can affect anyone who is grieving. Help us advocate for positive change, and join us for this very important conversation. If you would ...

Over time the meaning of Memorial Day has been overshadowed by cookouts, parties, big sales, and a long weekend to kick off summer. While we can appreciate the fun things that come along with this time of year, it’s important for us to recognize those who have given the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. We are honored to sit down with Valerie’s House Gold Star Mother, Kim Hayes, who has dedicated her life to helping veterans and other Gold Star Families in honor of her son and hero, Taylor,...

Grief & Loss in the Black Community: A conversation empowering children and families in communities of color to ask for help. A special podcast produced by Valerie’s House, Inc. (With special guests Tasheekia Perry-Harris and Janee Robinson) These two women have overcome many obstacles in their lives, including devastating losses. Tasheekia is the founder of Crowning Daughters for Success, an enrichment program dedicated to building self-esteem for our youth, as well as the c...

This episode of the Grieve Love Heal podcast talks about going back to school after experiencing a significant loss. It highlights two Valerie's House teens who went back to school with the weight of grief. This episode is also intended to educate schools on how to best support students who have lost a loved one. Please use this as a resource to raise awareness for grieving students in our community, and start the conversation of how to best care for these kids. Support the show

This episode of Grieve Love Heal features a personal interview with Valerie's House Founder and CEO Angela Melvin. She shares her own experience of childhood grief after losing her mother in a tragic car accident. Melvin reveals details she's never shared before and talks about the challenges of making her dream for Valerie's House a reality, as well as what she has learned along the way. “November is National Children's Grief Awareness Month, so we will be posting several stories, vi...

In this episode of Grieve Love Heal, we speak with our first of, hopefully, many grief experts! Valerie's House Director of Partnerships and Clinical Support, Amy Strom, joins us to answer common questions about grief, and especially childhood grief, based on her more than 20 years of clinical experience. She is a licensed clinical social worker, a certified school social work specialist, a certified Sand Tray Therapist, a college professor, and much more! Support the show

TV commercials, school projects, and greeting card displays make it nearly impossible to forget Mother's Day, which can be really tough for people whose mothers aren't here anymore. In this episode, Valerie's House Founder & CEO Angela Melvin, who lost her mother when she was 10, talks to 3 dads and another woman whose mom passed away when she was a child about how they handle Mother's Day without mom. If you want to learn more about how Valerie's House helps grieving children and ...

A Valerie’s House mom, widow, and mother of 5 named Jessica joins Valerie's House Communications Coordinator Alexa on this episode of Grieve Love Heal. Jessica opens up about the sudden death of her husband when he was only 33 years old and shares her experiences in solo parenting their five children in the two years since he passed away. Support the show

Content warning: In this episode, we discuss death by suicide and suicidal ideation. If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts about suicide, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-8255 or text HOME to 741-741 to connect with a Crisis Text Line Counselor. You can also find a variety of resources about discussing suicide loss and preventing suicide on our website at valerieshouse.org under the Grief Resources tab. We’re glad you’re with us to discuss thi...

In this emotional episode, we’re joined by licensed clinical social worker Aman Singh and members of the Valerie’s House community to discuss the signs they have received from their loved ones who have passed away. From dragonflies to actually feeling the touch of their deceased loved one, these first-hand accounts about grief and signs from their late family members are honest and bittersweet. See Aman’s suggestions for creative ways to stay connected with departed loved ones, learn mo...

In this episode of Grieve, Love, Heal, we sat down with four Valerie’s House girls who all have one thing in common. They are fatherless on Father’s Day. Our host, Ally O’Brien, lost her dad when she was sixteen, and now supports others through their grief journeys. This episode recognizes all dads. Those still by our sides and those that are no longer with us. Ally helps guide our guests through the bittersweet emotions associated with this June holiday. She reminds them that they must stay ...

Valerie's House launches a new grief support group for young adults 18-25. In this episode, get to know more about the group's leader and one new member as they share the losses that led them to Valerie's House and how they are working through their grief as young adults. Support the show

Amanda Mendes is the mother of a grieving child. She lives in North Fort Myers with her husband and two sons. Two years ago, her oldest son's father suffered a heart attack during surgery. Amanda talks with Valerie's House Communications Coordinator April Reilly about the difficult days that followed, her mission to keep Christmas traditions alive and she and her son found hope after loss. Support the show

9-year-old Sydney and 12-year-old Megan know what it’s like to lose a mother. Jill passed away from Breast Cancer that spread to other parts of her body in January of 2018. Her daughters remember her battle all too well and open up about the moment they found out their mother died. Support the show

Valerie's House Communications Coordinator April Reilly talks with Valerie's House Program Director Amy Strom about how the change in seasons can trigger emotional responses in people who are grieving. They discuss specific examples of how some aspects of Autumn can be overwhelming to children and adults who've experienced a significant loss as well as ways others can be supportive. Support the show

Angela: It’s September. That means summer is coming to an end and kids are going back to school, many who’ve experienced a significant loss. Did you know 1 in 14 children in Florida will lose a parent or sibling before they turn 18? That’s roughly two children per classroom. We want to help schools, children, teachers and families understand how to better help children when they come back to school after the death of a parent. Angela: I want to start with Morgan. How old were you when ...