SandCastles Alumni
SandCastles Alumni is a group of former children or teens that participated in SandCastles Grief Support Program. During our meetings we support each other as grieving young adults, brainstorm ways to support the SandCastles mission through sharing our stories, fundraising, and volunteering. The group meets bimonthly via zoom. You must be graduated from high school to participate.
Are you a former SandCastles child/teen in joining our Alumni group? Please contact Leah Bengel by clicking here for more information!
Casey Papp
Person who died?
My Mother
When were you enrolled at SandCastles & which site?
I attended SandCastles in 2010-2013 at the Downriver site.
What are you doing in life now & what do you do to contribute to SandCastles (volunteering, alumni group, etc.)?
I am currently a PACU RN at a hospital in Grand Rapids! Before becoming a RN I was volunteering with the bi-weekly groups!
What would you say to a reluctant child regarding the SandCastles program?
DO NOT BE AFRAID! Sandcastles gave me the tools and support to know that there can be joy found again in this journey of grief.
Anything else you want to share?
Remember you are not alone in this journey! If you join SandCastles, you will meet people who are just like you, grieving, and trying to find the joy again. Feel all the feelings and know that it is okay to not be okay.
Makayla Gricius
Person who died?
My Dad
When were you enrolled at SandCastles & which site?
I attended SandCastles in 2010-2018 at the St. Clair Shores site.
What are you doing in life now & what do you do to contribute to SandCastles (volunteering, alumni group, etc.)?
I’m an oncology/BMT nurse at Karmanos Cancer Institute in Detroit and I’m also currently volunteering as a facilitator at the St. Claire Shores site. I am also part of the SandCastles Fundraising Committee and SandCastles Alumni Group!
What would you say to a reluctant child regarding the SandCastles program?
It may seem scary at first to share your thoughts and feelings with a bunch of strangers, but those strangers may share some of those thoughts and feelings, and they may turn into lifelong friends if you give them a chance.
Anything else you want to share?
SandCastles helped me so much as a kid, I’m so grateful for all the experiences and even more grateful to now be able to give back to the program that helped me grow in my grief.
Lizzy Church
Person who died?
My Dad
When were you enrolled at SandCastles & which site?
I attended SandCastles in 2014 at the West Bloomfield site.
What are you doing in life now & what do you do to contribute to SandCastles (volunteering, alumni group, etc.)?
I am currently working towards graduating from Oakland University in spring of 2024 with my bachelor’s in social work. Next year I will be going to school to get my master’s in social work. Currently I am part of the alumni group and I volunteer at SandCastles Camp.
What would you say to a reluctant child regarding the SandCastles program?
SandCastles for me was a great experience. I was nervous at first and was not sure I wanted to go. Once I started going to group I found a lot of comfort in SandCastles. I realized I was not so alone. This experience helped me see other kids like me had similar experiences. To this day I am thankful for my experience at SandCastles and the friends I made along the way. I am so happy I went, even when I was scared.
Tio Williams
Person who died?
My Father
When were you enrolled at SandCastles & which site?
I started attending SandCastles when I was 10 at the Southfield site.
What are you doing in life now & what do you do to contribute to SandCastles (volunteering, alumni group, etc.)?
I am in college now and I am part of the SandCastles alumni group.
What would you say to a reluctant child regarding the SandCastles program?
SandCastles is a place where instead of feeling the pain and sadness for your lost loved one, you instead will learn valuable lessons with others and bond over how important that person was in your life.
Jaclyn Mannino
Person who died?
My Mom
When were you enrolled at SandCastles & which site?
I attended SandCastles in 2009-2011 at the St. Clair Shores site.
What are you doing in life now & what do you do to contribute to SandCastles (volunteering, alumni group, etc.)?
I am currently living in Colorado working in IT consulting. I participate in the alumni group and volunteer at SandCastles Camp.
What would you say to a reluctant child regarding the SandCastles program?
The peace you can find from someone who can truly relate to your situation is so healing. SandCastles provides the space to connect with others who are going through what you are and help normalize the situation.
Hailey Shuttle
Person who died?
My Sister
When were you enrolled at SandCastles & which site?
I attended SandCastles in 2005-2014 at the St. Clair Shores site.
What are you doing in life now & what do you do to contribute to SandCastles (volunteering, alumni group, etc.)?
I work at a dental office, and I am in my final year of college. I volunteer monthly at Detroit mercy dental program. I am also becoming a SandCastles group facilitator to volunteer at the St. Clair Shores site and I participate in the SandCastles alumni group.
What would you say to a reluctant child regarding the SandCastles program?
I would tell them how beneficial of being able to share your feelings with people that understand and that can sympathize and while we all grieve together we can do it in many cool ways.
Doug Kowalski
Person who died?
My Dad
When were you enrolled at SandCastles & which site?
I attended SandCastles in 2005-2007 at the Southfield site.
What are you doing in life now & what do you do to contribute to SandCastles (volunteering, alumni group, etc.)?
I work in sales for a large electrical distributor. With SandCastles I am a group facilitator at both the West Bloomfield and St. Clair Shores sites, along with being involved with both the Alumni and Fundraising committees.
What would you say to a reluctant child regarding the SandCastles program?
Just give it a chance. Sandcastles gave me the tools to help me understand my feelings and help me navigate my grief journey. SandCastles showed me that what I am going through is my own and it’s okay.