| | | | 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. | | | | | | | | | |
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| | 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 |
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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. |
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Living Letters, Still Being Written
Our lives are not just stories we tell—they are letters, written in our hearts, to be known and read by all.
Sometimes it feels like the chapters that hurt us have already said too much… as if they’ve become the parts that define us. But what if that isn’t the end of the story? What if your life is not a finished page—but a letter still being written?
The Apostle Paul writes, “You yourselves are our letter… known and read by everyone. You show that you are a letter from Christ… written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God” (2 Corinthians 3:2–3). |
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That means something deeply personal: this letter is not being written by your past, but by God Himself through His Spirit, at work within you.
Not written by what was done to you. Not defined by the chapters you wish you could erase. But gently, faithfully being written—day by day—by a God who sees more than the pain and more than the past.
Even in the quiet places. Even in the moments that feel small or unseen. Your life is speaking.
Sometimes it speaks through courage—the kind that gets you out of bed when it would be easier to stay hidden. Sometimes through healing—the slow, unseen work happening beneath the surface. And sometimes through endurance—choosing to keep going when you’re not sure what comes next.
These are not meaningless lines. They are part of something being written with care.
What makes these living letters powerful isn’t perfection—it’s honesty. A genuine heart can reach further than a polished story, because authenticity speaks in a language everyone understands.
And as we learn to trust Jesus, something changes—we are no longer writing alone. We are in relationship with the One who is faithful, who is gentle, and who knows how every chapter will be redeemed.
His Spirit is at work within us, shaping something new. | | |
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So if you find yourself in a season that feels unfinished, messy, or unclear… it doesn’t mean your story has lost its value. It may mean that something deeper is still being written within you. Something honest. Something resilient.
Something that, in time, may help someone else feel less alone.
On our website, you’ll find stories like these—real lives, real healing, real reminders that hope still speaks.
Because your life is not a finished story.
It’s a living letter. And it’s still being written. | | |
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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. |
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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. | | |
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| | | | | | April Connections: One Heart, Many Gatherings
As April unfolds, all Mending The Scarred chapters continue walking through our shared monthly theme, each gathering offering its own atmosphere of welcome, reflection, and connection.
Across Orlando, Jacksonville, and our Spanish-speaking community, the same message is explored in ways that reflect the heart of each group.
Every chapter shares its own flyer with meeting details so you can easily join the gathering nearest to you. And for those who prefer Spanish, our dedicated Spanish chapter continues journeying through the same theme entirely in Spanish.
Different locations. Different expressions. One shared movement toward healing, faith, and deeper community. | | | | | |
| This Month’s Topic: Healing from the Wounds of Abandonment
Abandonment can leave quiet but lasting scars on the heart. It often shapes how we see ourselves and how we relate to others. In this month’s gathering, we will gently acknowledge those wounds, explore how they affect our lives, and begin releasing the heavy feeling of being rejected, forgotten or left behind. Together, we will move toward healing, renewed confidence, and a deeper sense of belonging. |
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| ¿Hablas español? | Speak Spanish? Tema de este mes: Sanando las heridas del abandono
El abandono puede dejar cicatrices silenciosas pero profundas en el corazón. A menudo moldea la forma en que nos vemos a nosotros mismos y cómo nos relacionamos con los demás. En el encuentro de este mes, reconoceremos con sensibilidad esas heridas, exploraremos cómo han afectado nuestras vidas y comenzaremos a soltar el peso de sentirnos rechazadas, olvidadas o dejadas atrás. Juntas avanzaremos hacia la sanidad, una confianza renovada y un sentido más profundo de pertenencia. |
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| | | | | | | | | | | APRIL: Stay Connected With What’s Ahead
Our April Save the Date! page brings everything together in one place—this month’s group gatherings, weekly prayer calls, special events, and our ongoing theme.
You’ll also find details on our WhatsApp groups, recurring rhythms, and ways to stay engaged no matter where you’re joining from.
It’s an easy, welcoming way to see what we’re focusing on in April and how you can stay connected—and involved—throughout the month.
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S.H.A.P.E.
This August 2026, our 14-week S.H.A.P.E. journey returns, inviting you into a guided space of discovery, clarity, and purpose.
Meeting once a week via Zoom for one intentional hour, this experience helps uncover how God uniquely formed you—your gifts, passions, and calling—and how to walk forward with confidence in them.
This isn’t about adding more to your plate. It’s about alignment. About naming what’s already been placed within you—and learning how to steward it well.
We invite you to quietly mark your calendar for August. Specific dates and times will be shared soon.
Until then, consider this your invitation to make room for something that may reshape how you see yourself—and where God is leading you next.
We can’t wait to walk this journey with you. |
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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?
Our Vision | Our Team | Volunteering/Partnerships |
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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. | | |
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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! | | |
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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. | | |
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| | Got Questions? See our most popular FAQs! |
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