| | | | Newsletter | August 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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| | Each month, we begin with a simple question: Where might God be quietly working in the middle of our stories? Sometimes His healing unfolds in the most unexpected places—within the struggles we carry, the questions we wrestle with, and the quiet moments when we dare to look a little deeper. Wherever you find yourself today, remember that you are part of a community that believes restoration grows stronger when we walk together. | | |
| Carmen Alonso, Founder and Executive Director |
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| | The Lies Trauma Tells Us—and the Truth That Sets Us Free
Trauma does more than wound the past—it often begins to shape the way we see ourselves.
Have you ever walked through a house of mirrors at a carnival? One mirror stretches you tall, another makes you look small or distorted. The reflection feels wrong—but deep down, you know the mirror is the problem, not you.
Trauma can feel much the same way. Pain has a way of whispering lies that begin to sound true over time: "It was your fault."
"You’re damaged."
"Nothing will ever change."
For many survivors, these messages were not only felt internally—they were spoken aloud by someone who was supposed to love or protect them. When painful words echo long enough, they can begin to feel like truth.
But pain is not always a reliable narrator.
One of the most common lies trauma tells us is: “It was my fault.” Survivors often replay the past, wondering what they could have done differently. "If only I had left sooner. If only I had seen the signs."
Healing may involve examining many parts of our story, but the responsibility for abuse rests with the one who chose to inflict it.
Another lie trauma whispers is: “I am permanently broken.” Pain can convince us that something inside us has been ruined beyond repair. But healing tells a different story.
After His resurrection, Jesus still bore the scars of the cross. They were no longer symbols of shame or apparent defeat but testimonies of love, sacrifice, and victory. In much the same way, God does not waste the scars left by our own stories. He redeems what was meant for evil, transforming our pain into a testimony of His faithfulness and grace.
And then there is the lie: “Nothing will ever change.” Healing can feel slow. But growth often happens quietly—like the first light before sunrise. At first, the darkness seems endless. Then little by little, light begins to break through.
Healing is not measured by how quickly we move forward, but by the courage it takes to keep walking toward truth, freedom, and restoration. | | |
| | | | | | | Jesus said it this way: “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:32
Perhaps a place to begin is with one simple question: What lie has my pain been telling me?
Where trauma says, You are ruined, God says, You are redeemable.
Where trauma says, You are alone, God says, I am with you.
Where trauma says, Nothing will change, God says, I am making all things new.
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| | | And in time, truth restores the reflection in the mirror—revealing the person God created all along.
Trauma may have been part of your story, but it does not get to write the ending. It may speak loudly, but truth always has the final word. | | |
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| | From Healing to Helping Others Heal
How healing journeys quietly grow into leadership, compassion, and hope for others.
One of the most beautiful signs of healing is when someone who once needed encouragement begins offering it to others. Some of the most meaningful leaders are not those who have always had the answers, but those who chose to turn their own journey of healing into a source of hope for someone else.
True leadership often grows in the quiet places where pain, confusion, or loss has been met with God's healing, and brokenness has given way to compassion. This is something we witness again and again at Mending The Scarred.
The one who once longed for prayer begins praying for others.
The one who once felt alone begins creating spaces where others feel welcomed and understood.
What once felt like a place of brokenness gradually becomes a place where compassion and strength take root. | | |
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| Our mentors; from left to right: Daune, Michelle, Wanda, Mildred, Frances, Evelyn, Yubi, and Lisette. |
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| | Not every mentor here has walked the exact same road. Every story is unique. Yet many share something deeply meaningful in common: they understand what it means to struggle, to seek God in difficult seasons, and to keep moving forward with courage and faith. Because of that, they are able to walk beside others—listening, praying, encouraging, and gently reminding another woman, "You are not alone." | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | These moments remind us that success in this ministry is rarely measured by numbers or visible milestones.
More often, it is seen in quieter ways—in the courage of someone sharing her story for the first time, in a survivor discovering that hope is possible again, or in someone who once needed support now extending that same compassion to others. | | | | | | | | | |
| | | Because healing was never meant to stop with us. It becomes the very thing God uses to help others heal, too.
Whether you're seeking support, considering volunteering, or simply want to learn more about our ministry, we invite you to explore our Frequently Asked Questions and Our Programs. | | |
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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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| | The Pieces Are Already There... Have You Seen the Picture Yet?
Every season of your life has added another piece to the picture.
Your gifts, passions, personality, abilities, and even the challenges you've overcome are not random. Together, they reveal how God has uniquely designed you and the purpose He has for your life.
Our 14-week S.H.A.P.E. Class is an online journey that will help you discover how these pieces fit together through a biblical framework of Spiritual Gifts, Heart, Abilities, Personality, and Experiences. Meeting just one hour each week on Zoom, you'll grow in your faith while gaining a deeper understanding of the person God created you to be.
Registration is still open, but it will be closing soon as we finalize the class schedule. Once registration closes, we'll determine the meeting day and time that best accommodates the group.
The class is free; participants only need to purchase the S.H.A.P.E. workbook (approximately $10). If you've been thinking about joining, we'd love to hear from you.
We'd be honored to walk alongside you as you discover how God can use your unique story to encourage and serve others.
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| | | | | | Connections in Motion: Where Healing Meets Community
Across every Mending the Scarred chapter, women gather each month to reflect, grow, and find encouragement in community.
Each group has its own unique atmosphere, yet all share the same heart—a welcoming space for healing, faith, and meaningful connection.
Whether you join us in Orlando, Jacksonville, or through our Spanish-speaking chapter, you’ll experience the same monthly theme explored in a way that fits each community.
Every chapter provides its own flyer with simple details so you can easily find the gathering that works best for you.
Different places. Different expressions. One shared journey toward healing and hope.
We’d love for you to join us. | | | | | |
| This Month’s Topic: When Bitterness Slips Away
Releasing what was never meant to live in your heart.
Bitterness rarely arrives loudly. More often, it settles quietly into wounded places, convincing us it is protection while slowly draining our joy, peace, and hope.
This month, we’ll gently explore how resentment and unforgiveness shape the heart in ways we often don’t notice—and what begins to grow when grace is finally given room to take root.
Freedom may be closer than you think.
Come discover what can unfold when bitterness loosens its grip and the heart begins to breathe again.
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Tema de este mes: Cuando la amargura se desvanece
Soltando lo que nunca fue destinado a vivir en tu corazón.
La amargura rara vez llega de manera ruidosa. Con frecuencia se instala silenciosamente en las heridas del corazón, haciéndonos creer que es una forma de protección, mientras poco a poco drena nuestra alegría, nuestra paz y nuestra esperanza.
Este mes exploraremos con suavidad cómo el resentimiento y la falta de perdón afectan el corazón de maneras que muchas veces no notamos—y qué comienza a florecer cuando la gracia finalmente encuentra espacio para echar raíces.
La libertad puede estar más cerca de lo que imaginas. Ven y descubre lo que puede suceder cuando la amargura pierde su fuerza y el corazón comienza a respirar de nuevo. | | |
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New Opportunities to Connect and Grow
Our Save the Date! page gathers everything happening at Mending the Scarred in one welcoming place—upcoming gatherings, weekly prayer calls, special events, and the theme guiding us this season.
You’ll also find details about our WhatsApp groups, recurring rhythms, and the many ways to stay connected wherever you are.
Take a moment to explore what’s ahead—you might discover something that encourages your heart or meets you right where you are.
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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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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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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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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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