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Poetry to heal. Posted on 31st July 2012, by British Columbia

Tuesday, July 31st marked the official launch of Victoria on the Banks of the Mainstream, the latest poetry compilation from Dvora Levin. All poems included were written by participants in weekly writing sessions held at The Salvation Army’s Addictions and Rehabilitation Centre (ARC), Beacon of Hope House, Cool Aid’s Rock Bay Landing, Sandy Merriman House Shelters and Peers Victoria Resource Society

Levin has been working with clients from ARC and Beacon of Hope House teaching poetry as a form of therapeutic healing – an opportunity for participants to express their emotions, thoughts and ideas through an inspired outlet.

The relationship between Levin and The Salvation Army inVictoriabegan on Christmas Day when she volunteered to serve Christmas dinner to residents. Levin discovered through regular visits that many residents and clients had experience and/or an interest in writing.  From there, inspiration grew and she contacted ARC’s Residence Manger to set up poetry classes for the residents in the Spring of 2012.

“We all need to be mindful of how every man at the Salvation Army has both a unique story and hidden talents, sometimes hidden even from himself. My brief volunteer effort on Christmas Day turned into an ongoing present to me and everyone involved in creating poetry. Residents’ poems are being published in a new collection Victoria on the Banks of the Mainstream, an amazing accomplishment for these newly emerging poets from the Salvation Army recovery programs.” says Levin.

Victoria on the Banks of the Mainstream is a project that grew from Levin’s inaugural compilation, Voice from the Edge and is a project funded by a grant from the Greater Victoria Spirit Committee Society to celebrate Victoria’s 150th Anniversary.

This unique foray into poetry is for sale at Munro’s Books for $20 with all proceeds going to support poetry workshops at the above noted social service organizations.