About Us
On October 19th, 2017, my oldest daughter Sophia took her own life at the tender age of 13, three months shy of her 14th birthday. Sophia was a vibrant, artistic, intelligent, and kind-hearted teenager, who expressed herself and touched others through her paintings and sketches. Nothing is more devastating to a parent than losing a child. Sophia’s passing had a profound effect on me, her siblings, her family, her friends, and people who knew her in the community. Although Sophia had the tools to become a successful adult, she fell victim to anxiety, lack of self-confidence, bullying and other challenges that many of our children face today.
In honor of Sophia and to keep her memory and spirit alive, I am determined to do everything to empower today’s young people to take a stand against bullying, find support around challenges and embrace each other's differences. In addition, I am committed to helping the parents of young adults who are struggling by teaching them how they can talk to their child and where to seek help.
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With all this in mind, The Sophia Valsamos Foundation (TSVF) was formed; a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization dedicated to empowering youth, building their self-confidence and promoting kindness, through programming, community outreach, and workshops. TSVF is also committed to educating families about the challenges that our children face each and every single day. Together, The Sophia Valsamos Foundation will make a difference in our children’s lives.
