Mending The Scarred

Newsletter | October 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.

As we enter Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we pause to reflect on the quiet strength carried by so many women. At Mending The Scarred, we are reminded that healing takes time—but it is always possible. This month, may you be encouraged to see yourself with compassion, to hold onto hope, and to remember that your story is still unfolding.

Carmen Alonso, Founder and Executive Director

Who Told Me I Was Too Far Gone?

Sometimes the hardest person to believe God could restore is the person we see in the mirror.

Shame does not always announce itself. Sometimes it sounds like,

“I should be over this by now.”
“Why am I still affected by what happened?”
“If people really knew my story, they would see me differently.”
Or even, “How could God possibly use someone like me?”

Maybe you have never said those words out loud. But perhaps you have lived them.

You may still go to work, take care of your family, serve at church, encourage other people, and smile for pictures. Yet there may be places inside you that still hurt. A memory you avoid. An emotion you cannot explain. A part of your story you would rather keep hidden.

That is where shame becomes especially powerful. It does not just remind us of what happened; it tries to tell us what it means about who we are.

But what if those two things are not the same?

What happened to you may have wounded you. It may have changed you. It may have left you with questions that take time to work through. But it does not have the authority to determine your worth.

So what can you do when those old messages return? You can begin by telling the truth—to yourself and to God. Not a polished prayer. Not the prayer you think you are supposed to pray.

Just: “Lord, this still hurts.”
“I am still afraid.”
“I still feel ashamed.”
“I don't know how to heal from this, but I want to.”

That may not feel like a breakthrough. But it can be a beginning.

Psalm 147:3 says, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”

Notice the tenderness of that picture. A wound has to be acknowledged before it can be cared for.

You do not have to pretend you are whole to come to Christ. Bring Him the part that still hurts. Bring Him the question you cannot answer. Bring Him the memory you wish you could erase.

Maybe healing begins there—not when you finally have yourself together, but when you stop believing you have to.

You are not too far gone. And you never were.

Throughout this year, we have explored subjects that touch some of the most tender places in the human heart: identity, abandonment, the orphaned heart, fear, bitterness, and anger. Together, we have made room for honest conversations, reflection, prayer, and the possibility that even the wounds we have carried silently may not have the final word.

And what happens when shame enters the story?

This October, we will explore one of the most delicate conversations in our series: Restoration—From Shame to Honor After Sexual Abuse.

Shame has a way of making people hide. It whispers that what happened to us somehow defines us. It can silence a voice, distort identity, and convince a survivor to carry burdens that were never theirs to bear.

But what if shame does not get to have the last word?

What if dignity can be reclaimed? What if honor can be restored? What if the story of what happened to someone is only one chapter—and not the conclusion?

These are the kinds of questions we are willing to approach together, with compassion, care, and faith in a God who sees every wounded place.

One of the most beautiful discoveries along this journey has been community. Women from different backgrounds and seasons of life have gathered, listened, shared, reflected, and prayed together. In the process, something powerful happens: the feeling of being alone begins to loosen its grip.

We are especially grateful for the volunteers, facilitators, and speakers who have generously given their time, wisdom, vulnerability, and compassion to help make these gatherings possible. Their willingness to serve has helped create spaces where difficult conversations can be approached with grace—and where hope has room to grow.

We will take a brief pause during the Christmas season, but the journey will continue into the first months of 2027.

Because perhaps healing is not about arriving somewhere quickly.

Perhaps it is about continuing to take the next step.

And sometimes, the next step becomes possible because someone is willing to walk beside us.

Healing Together: Strength Found in Community

Healing was never meant to be walked alone.

There is something deeply grounding about sitting in a room with others who understand, where stories are shared without judgment, and silence can feel just as supportive as words. In those moments—over a shared meal, a conversation, or even a simple smile—something begins to shift. Isolation loosens its grip, and connection starts to take its place.

Our in-person gatherings offer that kind of space: a place to slow down, be present, and experience the steady reminder that you are not walking this journey alone. Over time, these moments become more than meetings—they become relationships, encouragement, and a quiet rebuilding of trust in community.

At the same time, life does not always make it easy to gather in person. That is why our weekly online prayer group exists—to provide a consistent space of support and spiritual grounding, wherever you are. It is a time to pause, pray together, and find encouragement in the middle of real life, even in busy or difficult seasons.

Different settings, same heart: connection, healing, and the reminder that restoration often happens in community.

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 Casselberry, Jacksonville, Orlando, 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: Restored: From Shame to Honor

Healing from Sexual Wounds, Violation, and Brokenness—Reclaiming Identity, Purity, and Dignity

Shame often lingers long after the moment of pain, quietly shaping how we see ourselves and believe we are seen. But shame was never meant to define your life or your identity.

Whether the wounds came through your own choices or through something done to you, healing is still possible. What was broken is not beyond restoration, and what feels lost is not beyond God’s reach.

This month, we walk together into a space of healing—where truth gently replaces shame, and grace begins to rebuild what pain tried to take. It is a journey of remembering who you are beneath what you’ve experienced.

You are not disqualified from restoration. You are being invited into it.

¿Hablas español? | Speak Spanish?

Tema de este mes: Restaurada: De la vergüenza al honor

New Opportunities to Connect and Grow

Our Save the Date! page brings together everything happening within Mending The Scarred in one simple, accessible space–so you can stay informed without feeling overwhelmed. From upcoming gatherings and weekly prayer calls to special events and the seasonal theme we are walking through, it offers a clear snapshot of what's ahead.

You'll also find information about our WhatsApp groups, ongoing rhythms of connection, and different ways to stay engaged in community life, whether you're near or far.

This space is designed to help you stay connected in a way that feels gentle and intentional.

As you look through what’s coming, you may find something that speaks directly to your season—an invitation to pause, participate, or simply feel reminded that you are not alone in your journey.

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 stepped in.

We provide real, life-changing support to women in need, offering counseling, job assistance, emergency aid, took, 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

Exiting 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 is 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 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 encourage 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.

Your willingness to share may become part of someone else’s healing journey.

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Mending The Scarred

info@mendingthescarred.org

407-484-4544