Peak Spotlight - The Inaugural Poetry Zine

Youths’ poetry notebooks

Artistic expression is a powerful tool for healing and self-discovery, and Urban Peak’s social-emotional coordinator, Manon, tapped into this potential by launching a poetry group for youth. Each week, participants explored different forms of poetry, learned about poetic devices, read examples and then crafted their own works. Those who felt brave enough to share their creations received positive feedback and “snaps” from their peers- fostering a sense of community and confidence.

Throughout, Manon made it a point to read poetry by not only world-renowned poets, but also local poets. Helping youth to understand that the world of poetry is vast, but also close to home. Close to the heart.

She shared one of her favorite memories from the group: when one seemingly disengaged youth surprised everyone by sharing an amazing poem that made one of his peers cry, demonstrating that “people just need to engage in their own way.”

The first edition of the Urban Peak poetry zine

An idea was born: to create and publish an Urban Peak poetry zine that showcased youths’ powerful and heartfelt work, so they could have a keepsake from the group and gain the experience of having "published" their creative work. Plus, creating something that’s entirely your own and having complete ownership of it feels pretty empowering!

We’re pleased to present the very first edition of Urban Peak’s poetry zine, created by the amazing, imaginative and resilient young people that we have the pleasure of working with. They poured so much of themselves into their beautiful work. Can you feel it?

Read the full zine here!