Marc’s Star Provides Shining Light for Those Grieving

Friday night, at the home- base, 136 South Street in the City of Newburgh, of M.A.R.C.S Friends Inc, a non- profit assisting families who have endured violence and other tragedies, a Family- Based Youth/Teen Grief & Loss event was held. Additionally, the groups founder, Jemika Hall, signed and shared her newly published book, Marc Star, in memory of her son, whose life was senselessly lost to gun violence in 2018.
Friday night, at the home- base, 136 South Street in the City of Newburgh, of M.A.R.C.S Friends Inc, a non- profit assisting families who have endured violence and other tragedies, a Family- Based Youth/Teen Grief & Loss event was held. Additionally, the groups founder, Jemika Hall, signed and shared her newly published book, Marc Star, in memory of her son, whose life was senselessly lost to gun violence in 2018.

By Jennifer L. Warren

NEWBURGH – The book she knew she had to write was already very much alive in Jemika Hall’s heart and head.

On July 1, 2025 the catalyst for its realization surfaced, and it was full steam ahead for the still heartbroken, City of Newburgh mother who lost her 17 year old son, Marc, to senseless gun violence in 2018. On this early summer day, Hall, who embarked on a mission to transform this personal tragedy by forming the non-profit, M.A.R.C.S. Friends Inc., supporting and providing integral healing, prevention and hope for local families on similar post-traumatic journeys, discovered the funding for her group had temporarily halted.

Faced with a furlough status for several months, the determined Hall knew it was the ideal time to give ongoing life to her son’s voice, guiding others through the grieving process. It was time to write the story taking up a permanent residence in her heart and soul.
MARC’S STAR, dedicated to Marc’s four siblings and told through his third person, “coaching” voice, provides youth with an assortment of “simple but sometimes very difficult,” tangible coping techniques to navigate the oftentimes daunting grieving process.

Participants at Friday’s Family-Based Youth/Teen Grief & Loss event make River Stones, dedicated to someone who that person lost, one of the many strategies relayed to assist with the grieving process.
Participants at Friday’s Family-Based Youth/Teen Grief & Loss event make River Stones, dedicated to someone who that person lost, one of the many strategies relayed to assist with the grieving process.

Containing a hands-on approach, it features interactive activities, along with a note section and a reflection one for older readers. Whether it’s discussing personal, happy moments-jokes shared with that person, creating a “picture garden” you can “visit in your heart,” a place where each flower is a sacred memory or making a River Stone dedicated to a lost person, there are basic-helpful strategies to guide all of us through these seemingly insurmountable times.

“We take a lot of things for granted when someone we love is around, and we don’t always realize how blessed we are to have those people in our lives,” said Hall about the premise of her book. “It’s remembering those good times and happy things about the person that should be able to carry you through; the book also really teaches children how to deal with their emotions.”

Woven with pieces centering upon how it’s ok to have feelings, the short but potent animated read, also carries with it the comforting voice of Marc, allowing the reader to realize “Love never really leaves us.”

“Hi, it’s me Marc; even though you can’t see me the same way anymore, I’m still close,” Marc introduces himself while guiding the reader, continuing, assuring him-her he will always be there. “This is how you keep me alive.”

Through going on Marc’s journey, we discover those basic and priceless ways to stay connected with someone no longer here in the physical form. We learn love is infinite. We realize facing our feelings helps with one of life’s greatest challenges: Grieving someone we love.

One of the youth on hand at Friday night’s Family-based Youth/Teen Grief & Loss event, is fully absorbed in the book, Marc’s Star, that was signed by author, Jemika Hall, Founder of the non-profit, M.A.R.C.’S. Friends Inc., in memory of her son whose life was senselessly lost to gun violence in 2018.
One of the youth on hand at Friday night’s Family-based Youth/Teen Grief & Loss event, is fully absorbed in the book, Marc’s Star, that was signed by author, Jemika Hall, Founder of the non-profit, M.A.R.C.’S. Friends Inc., in memory of her son whose life was senselessly lost to gun violence in 2018.

Last Friday night, Hall shared all that and much more at her 136 South Street, M.A.R.C.S Friend’s home base, “a much needed, safe space for kids to decompress,” where such regular activities as; supportive talk groups, food and clothing drives as well as a food pantry are held, Monday-Friday, 2:00-6:00pm for youth. Here, several adults, along with children turned out for a “Family-Based Youth/Teen Grief & Loss Workshop. Hall shared passages from MARC’S STAR, signed and distributed copies as well as held a discussion on grief and provided a hands-on artistic-creative outlet segment, allowing participants to creatively construct River Stones, honoring someone they lost.

“These real life coping skills are so important for all of us to learn as well as knowing everything a child is feeling during this process is ok,” pointed out Hall. “I’m glad sharing this book starts those very critical conversations we all need to be having.”

Print Friendly, PDF & Email