Rising Through Grief

Rising Through Grief is a teen-led Community Conversation designed to amplify and empower youth voices on the topic of grief and loss. This panel will bring together courageous teen speakers – all Camp Erin alumni – who will share their experiences with grief, challenges they’ve faced, and strategies that have helped while navigating their loss.

Crafted by teens for teens, this conversation centers on authenticity, connection, and the belief that young people are powerful agents of support and change. Through honest storytelling, reflection, and peer-to-peer encouragement, this event will highlight the strength that comes from speaking openly about grief and building supportive networks.

Event Details

• Tuesday, May 12, 2026
• 5pm PST | 8pm EST
• YouTube Live (link will be sent after registration)
• Free

Register Here

Meet the Panelists: 

Julia Baker (Camp Erin Lincoln)

Hello my name is Julia Baker. I’m 17 years old and I’m a junior in high school. I love to do crafts, hang with my family and friends, babysit, and read. When I’m out of high school I’m going to study psychology, in college, to become a counselor. I’ve been interested in this since I was in 8th grade because of my struggle with mental health and grief. I wanted to be on this panel to share my story and be able to advocate and help others with grief and mental health struggles. I’m remembering and honoring my dad through this Teen Talk.

Arabelle Gemmell (Camp Erin Montgomery County and Camp Erin Washington DC)

Hi, I’m Arabelle, and I am 19 and in my first year of college at the University of Maryland College Park. I wanted to be on this panel because when I was younger, I felt lost because of my grief and I wished I could hear someone from my age to understand I was not alone, no matter how different I felt. My mom and my brothers passed away suddenly when I was 7 and since then I have been going on my own grief journey with its ups and downs. Since going to Camp Erin DC and Camp Erin Montgomery County, I have learned the importance of leaning on other people and sharing your grief journey because it can be empowering for you and the person you are talking to and I hope this panel can help someone process what they are feeling.

Greg Mahnken (Camp Erin Denver)

My name is Greg Mahnken. I’m 16 years old and a sophomore at Smoky Hill High School in Aurora, Colorado. I like to read, run, and play video games. When I was 13, I lost my brother, Eli, after his five‑year battle with a brain tumor. During Elis 5 year battle, I learned to make every moment count. After he died, my family and I had to learn how to grieve, and that journey eventually led us to Camp Erin. I attended Camp Erin Colorado in the summer of 2025, and it changed me. For the first time, I didn’t feel so alone. I was surrounded by people my age who had all experienced loss, and being with them helped me understand my grief in a healthier, more honest way. Camp Erin taught me that grief is something you learn to live with and grow from. Now, I hope to share what I’ve learned with others and help them find their own healthy ways to cope with grief.

Zeke Vest (Camp Erin Dallas & Camp Erin Online)

Hello, my name is Zeke Vest. l’m 17 and a junior in high school. I’m an athletic trainer, and I play ice hockey. I attended Camp Erin Dallas in 2018. I wanted to join this panel to let others know you are not alone. Grief therapy has been a great tool to help me navigate my emotions after my loss. I recommend that you find your community to help guide you along your grief journey.

MODERATOR: Jiggy Yoon – Grief Speaker and Supporter

Na Eun “Jiggy” Yoon is a Motivational Speaker, Mental Health Champion, Leadership & Mindset Coach, combat sports athlete, and founder of Asians Grieving and Vulnerability Is Dope. A Korean-born, Queens-raised Penn State graduate, Jiggy empowers youth, students, athletes, and professionals to achieve sustainable excellence through high-performance strategies rooted in mental health and resilience. As a Queer Asian immigrant woman navigating neurodivergence, chronic illness, and grief, she guides people toward healing, growth, and leadership by deepening relationships and creating lasting impact, ensuring that access to personal and professional development is never a barrier to greatness.

This conversation is supported by Aetna Better Health Kids and  Independence Blue Cross Foundation