La Moille resident Kimberly Souba publishes first book

La Moille native Kimberly Souba is using the power of her words to give back to an agency that helped her through a difficult time.

For about 10 years, Souba received counseling services from the Center for Prevention of Abuse in Peoria. Now, she’s using proceeds from sales of her first published book to donate funds to the center.

Souba released her poetry collection, “From Death to Life: The Transformation of a Soul,” in 2020. The compilation features poems she has written from high school through adulthood. They follow her journey of healing from childhood sexual abuse and abandonment, leading to transformation in finding hope and peace, according to a news release.

“As a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, I have turned to my writing and faith in God as well as my many years of therapy to aid me in my healing journey,” Souba wrote in her author biography. “I love sharing my faith with others, serving Christ within the Teens Encounter Christ and Cursillo Programs, and sharing my enthusiasm for learning with my students.”

Souba is a 1996 graduate of La Moille Community High School and a fifth grade teacher at Tampico Elementary School.

The cover design was created by Brock Sondgeroth, also a La Moille High School graduate, who teaches art at Mendota High School.

Souba said this is the first book she has written. She is working on writing and publishing two more books.

“From Death to Life” can be found on Souba’s website at www.ksouba.com. A future book signing event is planned.