| | | | Newsletter | March 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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| | New beginnings don’t just happen in gardens—they unfold in our hearts and lives too. Every tender sprout pushing through the soil is a picture of resilience, showing us that even after seasons of barrenness, growth can return. That same hope belongs to every survivor. With God’s grace, the courage of those we serve, and the steady support of our volunteers and friends, we’re creating spaces where healing takes root and lives blossom again. Together, let’s nurture a future where restoration flourishes and every life touched by pain can rise again with strength and dignity. | | |
| Carmen Alonso, Founder and Executive Director |
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Where the Wound Was—Roots Grow
The quiet choices you make today become the roots that hold you tomorrow.
And after trauma, the idea of “starting fresh” can feel impossible—overwhelming, exhausting, even discouraging. Sometimes survival feels less like freedom and more like being a prisoner of war long after the battle has ended. The danger is gone, yet your body and mind still stand guard—trained to expect attack, to shrink, to follow old survival rules. The cage isn’t made of bars, but of memory, fear, and habits that once protected you. |
| | | | | | | Lasting change grows through ordinary, consistent choices:
pausing before reacting so you can choose, not just protect,
practicing saying “no” without apology,
letting yourself receive help instead of carrying everything alone,
replacing self-criticism with one truthful, compassionate sentence,
spending time in nature to remind your body what calm feels like,
showing up to therapy or support—even when it feels vulnerable,
allowing moments of joy without waiting for something to go wrong,
setting healthy boundaries—and honoring them, writing down what your heart can’t keep carrying,
choosing silence, stillness, or deep breathing when anxiety demands urgency.
They seem too small to matter—until one day, they become the solid ground under your feet. | | | | | |
| Think of a tree in a storm. It doesn’t survive by suddenly stretching higher but by digging deeper, gripping what can’t be seen. Our strength grows the same way: not through dramatic leaps but through an anchor that holds, reminding us we were never meant to live forever in survival mode.
And those roots? They sink deepest in God’s presence—through prayer and Scripture, through a song that carries His peace, and in the quiet reminder that He has never left. Even when you couldn’t feel Him, He was there—grieving with you, holding you, steadying you. He still is—faithful, patient, waiting for you to lean, even if all you have is a whisper.
So instead of trying to fix everything at once, give yourself permission to focus on one step today. Maybe it’s resting without guilt. Maybe it’s speaking truth to yourself with kindness. Maybe it’s journaling. Maybe it’s reaching out to someone who has walked this journey before—someone who will truly listen with understanding, without judgment. Trust that God is weaving these small choices into something strong, something good, something lasting.
Healing isn’t about sprinting forward or pretending the pain never happened. It’s about choosing, day by day, to stand firm and let your roots grow deeper.
Because somewhere in the quiet of these daily choices, you’re not just surviving storms—you’re becoming the kind of life that can flourish, bearing fruit in seasons you never thought possible. |
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What If Healing Isn’t Behind You… But Waiting for You?
An Invitation Into the Journey of Inner Healing
Last month, we opened the door to something many people long for but don’t always know how to begin: inner healing. Our February gatherings across chapters marked the starting point of a powerful new theme series designed to gently, prayerfully, and practically walk women through areas of the heart that often go unnoticed, unspoken, or unattended.
What we experienced together was more than a meeting—it was a meaningful beginning. Women came with open hearts, quiet questions, and courageous hope. There was a shared sense that God was inviting us into deeper freedom, not through pressure or performance, but through truth, grace, and restoration. | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | This series is intentionally designed as a journey. Each gathering builds on the last, unfolding layers of understanding and healing that connect in meaningful ways. While every session stands strong on its own and can deeply bless anyone who attends, there is something uniquely powerful about walking the full path together. | | | | | |
| | | Like chapters in a book, each theme reveals more of the story God is writing in our lives. In the coming months, we will prayerfully explore heart-level topics that many women silently wrestle with—areas where wounds, lies, or past experiences may have shaped how we see ourselves, others, and even God. | | |
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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. | | | These conversations are not about dwelling on pain; they are about discovering truth, freedom, and wholeness. They are safe, hope-filled spaces where restoration begins and burdens grow lighter.
One beautiful aspect of this series is that all of our chapters are synchronized, covering the same theme each month. This means women can attend whichever location is most convenient on any given month while still staying fully connected to the journey. Whether you attend consistently at one chapter or occasionally visit another, you’ll always step into the same shared focus and message.
If you joined us last month, you already sensed that something special is unfolding. And if you haven’t attended yet, this is the perfect time to step in. You won’t be behind—you’ll simply be joining a community of women walking together toward healing, freedom, and renewed strength.
Inner healing isn’t a destination for the “perfect” or the “put-together.” It’s an invitation for the willing.
And there is a place for you in this journey. | | |
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More Than Meetings: Moments That Matter
Ordinary has a way of hiding extraordinary.
At first glance, it looks ordinary enough—tables unfolded, chairs lined in rows, casseroles and salads waiting under foil. Nothing unusual about a Saturday morning gathering. Look closer, and the rhythm of movement starts to tell a different story. |
|  | 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. | One woman smooths a tablecloth, another adjusts chairs into neat rows, while others carry supplies and prepare the room. Simple tasks, yet each action seems to carry a weight beyond logistics—as if the work of arranging, setting, and preparing is doing something invisible in return.
These hands are not just working; they are remembering, rebuilding, and extending welcome. These feet do more than cross a room; they trace the journey from brokenness to belonging. Even the laughter that slips through the bustle feels like a declaration: we are still here, and we are here together.
What happens during this time before the meeting begins is more than preparation—it’s formation.
A room is being set, but so are the hearts within it. The food will feed us, yes, but so will the glance of recognition across the table, the small stories exchanged in passing, the reminder that one life brushing against another can create something neither could hold alone.
The psalmist once wrote, “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity” (Psalm 133:1). You can feel those words unfolding here—not in the grand gestures, but in the quiet, unassuming ones.
By the time chairs are filled and conversations begin, something has already happened. Something more than a meeting.
And somewhere between setting up and packing away, we find that we’re not just making an event happen—we’re making each other stronger. |
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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.
Whenever you’re ready, you’re welcome to visit MendingTheScarred.org. There you’ll find our gatherings, programs, prayer circles, and upcoming events—spaces designed for connection, support, and healing. There’s always room for you. | | |
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| | Annual Retreat | March 2026
Victory Over Affliction is a one-day women’s retreat created as a space to pause, reflect, and gently release what no longer serves you.
Together, we’ll explore healing and renewal through meaningful conversation and guided reflection, stepping toward a future no longer shaped by the past.
The retreat will take place on Saturday, March 28, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the San Pedro Spiritual Development Center in Winter Park, Florida.
Lunch is included, and guest speaker's bios are available on our website. | | |
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| | | | | | Together in March: One Heart, Many Gatherings
As we step into March, all Mending The Scarred chapters continue journeying through our shared monthly theme—each gathering expressing it in its own meaningful way.
From Orlando to Jacksonville, in English and in Spanish, every group carries a unique voice, yet we’re united in purpose, faith, and hope.
Each chapter continues to share its own flyer with meeting dates, times, and locations, making it easy to join wherever you call home. And for those who prefer Spanish, our dedicated Spanish chapter engages the same theme fully in Spanish—creating space for language, culture, and community to flourish.
Different cities. Different stories. One shared journey—growing together through Scripture, reflection, conversation, and lived experience. | | | | | |
| This Month’s Topic: Identity: Becoming Who You Were Meant to Be You’re invited to gather with other women in a space designed to feel safe, welcoming, and unhurried. This time together offers an opportunity to explore identity, healing, and renewal through meaningful moments of presence, shared experiences, and genuine connection. We’ll create room for honest dialogue, mutual encouragement, and personal growth, honoring that healing looks different for each person. Whether you come with questions, hopes, or simply a desire to listen, you are welcome to join us as we walk together toward restoration and wholeness, at a pace that honors each journey.
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| ¿Hablas español? | Speak Spanish?
Tema de este mes: Identidad: Convirtiéndote en quien fuiste creada para ser Estás invitada a compartir con otras mujeres en un espacio diseñado para ser seguro, acogedor y sin prisas. Este tiempo juntas nos brinda la oportunidad de explorar la identidad, la sanidad y la renovación a través de momentos significativos, experiencias compartidas y una conexión genuina. Queremos crear un ambiente de diálogo sincero, apoyo mutuo y crecimiento personal, reconociendo que cada proceso de sanidad es diferente. Ya sea que vengas con preguntas, anhelos o simplemente con el deseo de escuchar, eres bienvenida a caminar juntas hacia la restauración y la plenitud, a un ritmo que honra cada historia.
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| Together—One Calendar, Many Stories
Our Save the Date! page keeps you connected to 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. |
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| | We’re already holding space in our hearts for the next S.H.A.P.E. class and what it may bring.
Starting in August, this 14-week guided journey will meet weekly on Zoom for one intentional hour together.
It’s a steady, thoughtful rhythm designed to encourage reflection, connection, and a deeper understanding of how God has uniquely formed you with purpose.
As August approaches, we’ll share the specific date and time. For now, we invite you to begin considering whether this season might be an opportunity to pause, learn, and walk alongside others on a meaningful journey. | | |
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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? | | |
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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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