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 frontline providers in our communities. At Valerie’s House, social workers are integral to our mission of supporting grieving families and children, meeting them where they are, and providing nonjudgmental, compassionate care.

Meet Amy Strom

We had the privilege of speaking with Amy Strom, Vice President of Partnerships and Operations at Valerie’s House, to gain insights into her journey in social work and her profound impact. Inspired by her father, a social worker and university professor, Amy embarked on a path marked by empathy and dedication, striving to empower individuals to meet their own needs and fostering the next generation of social workers.

Amy’s Journey to Valerie's House

Amy's introduction to Valerie's House was serendipitous, with a coworker leading her to the place where she would channel her passion for community service. Since 2016, she has been vital in growing the organization from a single group to a multifaceted support system that reaches across the state, serving thousands of children and families. Her commitment underscores the idea that social work isn’t just a profession; it's a way of life.

Building Community and Empowering Families

The work done at Valerie's House transcends traditional support; it creates a home-like environment where families can openly express their grief without stigma. The support groups are structured to build community and provide strength, ensuring that no child grieves alone. At the heart of this work are practices drawn from social work principles, centered around meeting families where they are and empowering them to navigate life's challenges.

The Role of Social Workers

Social workers at Valerie's House and beyond are dedicated to creating environments where healing can begin, listening actively to the needs of families, and fostering connections that empower both children and their caregivers. Their roles are not limited to individual support but extend to advocating for systemic change and addressing broader social justice issues.

Training the Next Generation

Amy Strom plays a pivotal role in shaping future social workers, serving as a qualified supervisor and adjunct professor at Florida Gulf Coast University. By sharing her wealth of knowledge and experience, she ensures that upcoming social workers are well-equipped to address the diverse needs of their communities with empathy and ethical practice.

A Commitment Beyond Career

For Amy, and many like her, social work is more than a career; it’s a lifelong commitment to helping others navigate their most challenging times. Her story is a testament to the enduring impact one individual can have in shaping hopeful futures.

Join the Movement

As we reflect on the incredible work being done at Valerie's House, we invite you to consider how you might support or get involved with similar initiatives. The fulfillment found in helping others and witnessing their growth can replenish your own spirit, as Amy so beautifully illustrates.

In closing, we deeply appreciate Amy Strom and all social workers for their tireless dedication to fostering healing, community, and hope.

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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 featuring a Tattooed Grief Gallery with photos from our community, showcasing grief-related tattoos shared by our own Valerie’s House staff and families. Each tattoo tells a story—a beautiful, enduring reminder that love persists.

Visit the gallery here: valerieshouse.org/vh-blog/2024/10/25/tattooed-grief.

Join us for a heartfelt conversation with Kelly Rogers as we discuss remembrance, resilience, and the art of healing through tattoos. Tune in now to be inspired, one story at a time.

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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 shares his heartbreaking journey after losing his daughter to overdose and how he turned his pain into a nonprofit that supports others on their recovery paths. (00:00 - 24:33)

Next, we hear from 14-year-old Ava Johnson, who discovered her mother’s body after an overdose just two years ago. Ava’s story is both chilling and hopeful, showcasing the resilience of a young teen finding love and support in the face of tragedy. (24:34 - 55:35)

Finally, Fort Myers Police Chief Jason Fields discusses the multifaceted approach to tackling the drug crisis, from education and prevention to enforcement and outreach. He also touches on the often-overlooked impact of overdose and drugs on first responders, offering a sobering perspective on the epidemic. (55:36 - 01:11:05)

Join us for this emotional and insightful episode, and stay tuned as we bring you more stories of hope and healing each month. For more information, visit Valerie's House at valerieshouse.org and follow us on social media.

Follow Kimmie's Recovery Zone at kimmiesrecoveryzone.org for additional resources and support.

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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 like to join in this mission or share your own personal story, please visit here.

Take Action & Have Your Voice Heard! » Evermore

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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, who died in 2016. She talks about how her personal grief has led her to take action to help others.

“The more I grieve, the more I serve,” Kim said. “And I am so grateful to have found Valerie’s House to help my two grandchildren find their own language to express their grief.”

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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 co-founder of Impact Dunbar, an empowerment program for young women. Tasheekia speaks to how teaching self-esteem and maintaining values are necessary for creating a better life and are very important in the healing process.

Janee and her daughter started attending Valerie's House after the loss of her daughter's father. Janee also works with children as a teacher and discusses how students express their grief in different ways.

Together, we look at their individual experiences with grief and how we, as a community, can better work together to help people find the support they need and deserve.

About Valerie’s House

Valerie’s House opened in January 2016 and has served more than 2,000 children and their families from Lee, Collier, Charlotte, and Hendry counties. The organization provides a safe, comfortable place for children to share, grieve and heal together following the death of a close family member. Valerie’s House has three locations: 1762 Fowler St. in downtown Fort Myers, 819 Myrtle Terrace in Naples, and group therapy meetings at several churches in Charlotte County. For more information, visit www.valerieshouse.org, call (239) 204-5804, or email Angela@ValeriesHouse.org.

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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.

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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, videos, and podcasts to help others understand the plight grieving families face,” Melvin said. “It is an exciting national movement, and we are relieved there are others who are finally joining with us in this conversation when for so many years, children's grief was not something people acknowledged.”

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