Valerie’s House, a nonprofit organization in Southwest Florida helping children grieve, is hosting a podcast and two open houses Thursday, Nov. 18, in honor of National Children’s Grief Awareness Day.

The podcast, which will become a monthly event, will feature Angela Melvin in the debut episode with a personal interview in which she shares her own experience of childhood grief after losing her mother in a tragic car accident.

Melvin will reveal details never before shared and the challenges of making her dream for Valerie’s House a reality as well as what she has learned along the way.

The podcast “Grieve. Love. Heal.” can be heard on Spotify and Apple podcasts.

“November is also 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.”

Valerie’s House is encouraging residents on social media to change their profile image during the month to the Children’s Grief Awareness ribbon.

“Even if for just a day, a week, or the entire month, it will no doubt cause people to pause and question what it may be like to lose someone you love when you are a child,” Melvin said.

To commemorate National Children’s Grief Awareness Month, Valerie’s House is inviting professionals and others who work with children to tour the two locations in Fort Myers and Naples on Nov. 18. The Fort Myers open house will be from 9 a.m to 5 p.m., at 1762 Fowler St. The Naples open house will be from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at 819 Myrtle Terrace.

During the open houses, guests will meet the Valerie’s House team, tour the different healing rooms, learning about the referral process and find out how to best comfort a grieving child. To attend either open house, please RSVP to Amy@valerieshouse.org

One in nine children in Florida is predicted to lose a parent or sibling before the age of 21, according to the 2020 Childhood Bereavement Estimation Model.

Since its opening in 2016, Valerie’s House has helped more than 1,000 children grieve the loss of loved one.

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.