Think kind
Think thoughtful
Think light and love
Forever Hopeful Forever Strong

- by Julia Vukovic

This is one of the pieces Julia Vukovic contributed to a recently published book of poetry and inspiration: Recovery Starts Now.
Julia has been writing since high school, and journals in a series of notebooks every day, on subjects from gratitude to food.

She told us that Community Connections offers a variety of creative programming, and she joined a poetry group led by Melanie Knapp. She had met Melanie in a writing group focussed on children's books at the Owen Sound and North Grey Union Public Library's Adult Learning Centre about eight years ago. Melanie has since published her first book of poetry with her mother Marie Knapp, and another two on her own, along with several booklets supporting her work in mental health advocacy and peer support.

Julia says she does not use a computer when she writes - she enjoys the feel of her hand moving on the page.  She made several contributions to Recovery Starts Now, which will be appearing around the area, first in mental health settings including the hospital and gradually in coffee shops and other spots.

The sixteen contributors decided which poems to put in the book, including those of two Community Connections staff. Gavan Menzies wrote poems, and also did the technical work of layout and creating the cover.

The book launch was held one of the most beautiful settings in Owen Sound – between the edible labyrinth and the food forest and community gardens in St. George's Park. As gathering outdoors has become more necessary, groups have been discovering this lush green space.

Be a Good Example

Be thoughtful

Be kind

Be sincere

Be gentle

Be good

Be strong

Be courageous

Be accepting of yourself

And be the lovely kind of person

That you truly are.

- By Julia Vukovic