On a recent episode of Road to Rich, we had the privilege of sitting down with two incredible women making a meaningful impact in our community—Vanessa Serio and Denise Somford from Angel House Bereavement Center.
What followed was more than just a conversation—it was an honest, powerful look at grief, healing, and the importance of having the right support system when life takes an unexpected turn.
Angel House wasn’t created from theory—it was built from real-life experience.
Vanessa, a board member since the beginning, shared how her own journey through loss and complex grief led her to become involved. After receiving counseling from Denise during a difficult time in her life, she saw firsthand how important professional grief support can be.
That experience turned into purpose.
Today, every board member at Angel House has experienced significant loss themselves, creating a deeply compassionate and understanding foundation for the organization.
Angel House Bereavement Center is a nonprofit dedicated to providing clinical grief counseling—and not just for the loss of a loved one.
Their services support people through:
What sets them apart is their clinical approach. Their therapists are licensed professionals (or working toward licensure), ensuring that clients receive high-quality, structured support.
Even more notably—they are the only nonprofit in the community offering this level of clinical grief counseling.
One of the most important takeaways from the conversation is simple, but powerful:
Everyone grieves differently—and that’s okay.
Grief isn’t linear. It doesn’t follow rules. And it certainly doesn’t look the same from one person to the next.
In fact, many people delay seeking help because they feel like they need to “be strong”—especially men. But as Denise pointed out, suppressing grief doesn’t make it disappear. It can affect you emotionally, physically, mentally, and even spiritually.
Healing begins when you allow yourself to process it.
For many, reaching out is the hardest part.
Sometimes it’s the individual who calls. Other times, it’s a concerned family member. But Angel House emphasizes one key principle: you have to be ready.
And when you are, they’re there.
Whether someone needs full counseling, group support, or simply educational resources to better understand what they’re feeling, Angel House meets people where they are.
They offer:
And importantly—they work with individuals regardless of financial situation, offering sliding scale fees and scholarships so no one is turned away.
A powerful moment in the episode came from a personal story shared during the conversation—how grief, while painful, can shape us into more compassionate people.
Loss has a way of changing perspective. It can deepen empathy, strengthen relationships, and even help us carry forward the best qualities of those we’ve lost.
It doesn’t make the pain disappear—but it can give it meaning.
As a nonprofit, Angel House relies heavily on community support to continue its work.
Donations and fundraising efforts help:
They also welcome volunteers and community partnerships, making it easy for individuals and businesses to get involved.
Angel House is hosting a fundraising concert on March 27th, featuring a high-energy “Legends of Rock and Country” performance.
The event will include:
It’s more than just a night out—it’s a chance to support a cause that’s changing lives locally.
Grief is something we all experience—but we don’t have to go through it alone.
Angel House Bereavement Center is proof that healing happens when community, compassion, and professional support come together.
If you or someone you know is struggling, don’t wait. Reach out. Start the conversation.
Because healing doesn’t mean forgetting—it means learning how to move forward.
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