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Valerie’s House Pensacola Nurturing hearts and fostering hope for grieving children By Magi Thomley Williams
Valerie’s House at The Chadbourne Foundation Home in Pensacola is shining a light on a sensitive subject, offering support, compassion and healing to children who have experienced the death of a loved one. Under the leadership of Crista Brandt and Jenni Elzweig, Valerie’s House is a sanctuary for grieving families, providing peer-to-peer support services that make a profound difference in the lives of those who need it most. TURNING TRAGEDY INTO A GIFT Brandt, Northwest Florida regional director, understands the depths of grief all too well. She tragically lost her mother to cancer when Brandt was just 11 years old. However, rather than allowing this tragedy to define her, Brandt’s purpose is to turn her own pain into someone else’s gift. “I am here to help the ‘me’s’ of today, so they know they are not alone in their grief,” she said. Her dedication to launching the Valerie’s House Pensacola location stems from her commitment to helping children navigate the various stages of grief through healthy outlets. The peer-to-peer support model helps children connect and build bonds with others their age who are having similar experiences. The support groups provide children the opportunity to decrease isolation, recognize their normal feelings of grief and learn safe and effective ways to manage their difficult emotions. It’s a welcoming community where individuals can come together, share and mentor each other through their grief. IMPORTANCE OF CONNECTION Children experiencing grief need 24 • Bella Magazine • November 2023
Jenni Elzweig,program manager, and Crista Brandt, regional director, welcome visitors to Valerie’s House Pensacola located at The Chadbourne Foundation Home, where they offer support for grieving children in a warm, inviting setting.
to feel connected to others who understand their struggles and can relate to their unique challenges. Most children don’t have others in their immediate circle who have suffered the devastating loss of a parent, sibling or close family member. Valerie’s House provides a vital support network. “We serve the entire family,” said Brandt. Caregivers meet while the children participate in age-specific peer groups, offering mutual support and insight into understanding grief from a child’s perspective. Peer-to-peer support is a particularly helpful tool for anyone who struggles to express their emotions, which is essential for healthy grief processing.
“I like the fact that I can know and feel like I’m not alone or the only kid my age that has had a big loss like I have,” she said. “And we have super fun activities that help with trauma processing, and it doesn’t even feel like that’s what we are doing because we do it in a fun way.” Jenni Elzweig, program manager, is a former fine arts teacher who brings a unique blend of compassion and creativity to her role. Elzweig has a long history of helping those who are grieving. Her journey began as a hospice respite provider right out of high school, and she understands the profound impact of loss firsthand, having lost her father to a stroke when she was a young adult.
A PLACE FOR HEALING AND FUN Valerie’s House is more than just a place for healing; it’s a place for fun and celebration too. There, children engage in activities that help them process their trauma in a fun and engaging way. Emma, aged 12, shared how Valerie’s House helps her.
ALL SERVICES ARE FREE OF CHARGE Services are offered at no cost to the family, thanks to the generous support of grants and donations. The annual costs of approximately $2,500 for a family with one child cover essential resources, including grief books, peer-