| | | | Newsletter | April 2026 | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | We are an organization of women volunteers passionate about reaching out to the broken women affected by domestic violence, sexual abuse or any other type of brokenness in need of mental and emotional healing. | | | | | | | | | |
| | |
|
|
|---|
|
| | April carries both the beauty of spring and the deeper truth of the Resurrection—life does not end in sorrow but continues in renewal. The empty tomb declares that not even death has the final word, but it's the beginning of victory. That same power is why we serve: to remind survivors their story doesn’t end with brokenness. Even the heaviest wounds can find healing, and even the darkest nights can give way to morning. God is still in the business of resurrection—and He invites us to be part of it. | | |
| Carmen Alonso, Founder and Executive Director |
|
|
| |
|---|
|
When Forgiveness Feels Like Betrayal—And Becomes Victory When I finally faced my pain, I realized it hadn’t stayed hidden inside me—it was spilling out, hurting the people I loved in ways I never intended. I thought forgiveness would mean letting my perpetrator win. How could I release someone who had chained me in a prison of shame and fear? Forgiving felt like betrayal to myself. But in that struggle, the Cross stared back at me. The innocent Christ forgave me—my pride, my rebellion, my hidden sins. If He could forgive me from the wood of the cross, how could I cling to the bars of my own prison? Forgiveness is not forgetting. It is not excusing. It is handing the perpetrator over to God—the only Judge who sees it all and who will not let the guilty go unpunished. And in doing that, something unexplainable happened. The very act that felt like surrender became the act that set me free. I unlocked the door I thought belonged to my tormentor, only to find it was my own cell that swung open. The bitterness lost its grip. The torment went silent. And what was left was not weakness, but the Resurrection’s power alive in me. Life is painfully short compared to eternity. Why spend it bound by chains Christ has already shattered? Ask Him for the strength to forgive. He will do through you what you cannot do yourself. And when you let go, you will taste the freedom of Resurrection morning—the kind of freedom that transforms not only you, but those around you. |
|
|
|---|
|
Living Letters, Still Being Written Our lives are not just stories we carry; they are living letters, written day by day for others to read. In each trial endured and each step of healing taken, there is a message that speaks louder than words: that God’s grace restores, sustains, and transforms. When we share what He has done in us, we extend more than encouragement—we open a window for someone else to see that new life is possible. What makes these testimonies powerful is not polished words or perfect phrasing, but their honesty. A testimony written from the heart can do what no lesson alone can: it builds a bridge of trust, showing that the same God who met us in our need will meet others in theirs. Each account becomes part of a greater witness, reminding us that when His Word takes root, it bears fruit—not only in us, but through us, to others. You’ll find testimonies like these gathered on our website, offered as real accounts of God’s faithfulness in ordinary lives. Each one is another letter still being written, another reminder that hope has a voice, and it speaks through us. | | |
| | |
|
|
|---|
|
All photos are shared with permission. Each woman pictured is either a healed survivor who is no longer in danger, or a volunteer supporting the cause. |
|
|
|---|
|
Healing Together: Finding Strength in Community One Calendar, Many Ways to Connect Gathering in person brings a special kind of strength—sharing a meal, exchanging stories, and finding comfort in each other’s presence. These moments create spaces where women can learn, support one another, and form genuine connections that last well beyond the meeting. Alongside our in-person gatherings, our weekly online prayer group offers a quiet, welcoming space to grow in faith, share encouragement, and stay connected—right from home, no matter what season of life you’re in. Our Save the Date! page makes it easy to stay in the loop with everything happening in our community—monthly group meetings, recurring events, weekly prayer calls, upcoming themes, WhatsApp groups, and special gatherings. It’s a simple, engaging way to see where we’re meeting, what we’re focusing on each month, and how you can stay connected—and involved—wherever you are. | | |
| | |
|
|
|---|
|
Together, We Can Break the Cycle of Trauma | At Mending The Scarred, we believe every woman deserves the chance to heal, rebuild, and thrive after trauma. Many women survivors of domestic violence and other hardships face overwhelming challenges—homelessness, financial instability, and emotional wounds that feel impossible to heal alone. That’s where we step in. | We provide real, life-changing support to women in need, offering counseling, job assistance, emergency aid, food, clothing, medical care, and access to education. But we don’t stop there—we’re working toward a secure, transitional housing program in Central Florida, giving survivors a stable place to stay while they rebuild their lives. This mission isn’t just about meeting basic needs—it’s about empowerment. We want women to move beyond survival, to become confident, self-sufficient, and ready to build a bright future. But we can’t do this alone. Your support—whether through donations, volunteering, or spreading the word—can change lives. Together, we can provide a fresh start for women who need it most. Will you join us? | | |
|
|
|---|
|
Exciting Ways to Make a Difference Be the Change: Join Our Mission to Empower Women Mending the Scarred thrives because of dedicated volunteers like you—individuals with a passion for transforming the lives of women impacted by domestic violence, sexual abuse, and emotional trauma. Together, we can create a brighter future. Here’s how you can make a difference: 🌿 Community Outreach: Share hope by helping us connect with local schools, churches, and community events, introducing women to the life-changing support of MTS. 🌿 Prayer & Intercession Team: Lend your heart and faith by praying for the women we serve and supporting our leadership team through intercession and special events. Your time, energy, and compassion can change lives. Take the first step today! Click the link below to explore volunteer opportunities and email us at info@mendingthescarred.org to get started. Let’s make an impact together! | | |
|
|
|---|
|
Sponsor a Survivor Imagine the profound impact you can have on a woman who has endured the unthinkable—abuse, trauma, and heartache. Your sponsorship isn't just a donation—it's an investment in the restoration of a life. It’s a chance to show a woman who has suffered that she is seen, valued, and worthy of the care and healing she so desperately needs. Every session provides a safe space for her to process her pain, rebuild her self-worth, and reclaim the strength that trauma tried to take from her. | | |
|
|
|---|
|
Spread the Healing: Invite Others to Join Our Journey Every journey toward healing becomes more powerful when shared. If our newsletter has inspired, uplifted, or encouraged you, we invite you to share it with others who might benefit as well! Encourage your friends, family, or colleagues to subscribe. Together, we can extend the reach of hope, understanding, and connection to even more hearts. Let’s grow this community of healing—one invitation at a time. | | |
|
|
|---|
|
Got Questions? See our most popular FAQs! | | |
|
|
|---|
|
| |  | |
| |
|---|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|---|
|
|
