| | | | Newsletter | January 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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The page has turned, and with it comes a new chapter filled with renewed vision and deepened purpose. As 2026 unfolds, we press forward—anchored in faith, strengthened by community, and expectant for what’s to come. This year isn’t just about what we do, but who we become along the way. We’re honored to have you with us as as we step boldly into all that lies ahead. | | |
| Carmen Alonso, Founder and Executive Director |
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The Road Ahead Starts Within
Sometimes, the hardest walls to climb aren’t around us—but within us.
Old thoughts. Deep-seated beliefs. Quiet, constant whispers that say we’ll never be enough, never change, never heal. Without realizing it, we can become captives to the way we think, stuck in cycles we didn’t even choose.
But freedom begins with awareness. Listen to how you talk to yourself. Would you say those same words to someone you love?
The truth is, the way we think is what we believe—because what we consistently tell ourselves becomes an internal agreement, a quiet contract we live by, even if it isn’t true. So now, we’re invited to break that agreement and make a new one—to align our thoughts with what Scripture say about us instead.
God invites us to see ourselves through His eyes—loved, whole, worthy, new. When we recognize the patterns that hold us back, we can begin to replace them with His promises.
And we don’t have to do it alone. Surround yourself with people who speak life into you. That’s part of what Mending The Scarred is here for—creating space, offering encouragement, and putting in front of you the reminders you need to keep walking forward.
It’s not easy. But it is possible. And every step forward starts with one brave decision: to believe something better.
This year, as you walk forward, may you leave behind what no longer serves you—and step fully into the light of who you are becoming. |
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When Prayer Becomes the Rhythm of Life
Prayer and Scripture aren’t just practices for quiet times; they are meant to weave through our ordinary days until God’s presence becomes the rhythm of our lives.
A new year often stirs us toward fresh resolutions—plans to eat better, worry less, do more. But the life God invites us into isn’t another checklist; it’s a way of being. Scripture calls us to meditate on His Word day and night—to let truth take root so deeply that prayer becomes the posture of our soul, not a task on our calendar.
His Word becomes not just something we read, but something we carry, letting its truth fill our thoughts like vivid scenes impressed on the heart—at the sink, in traffic, during hard meetings, in those quiet minutes before sleep.
Imagine walking through an ordinary day—the errands, the interruptions, the moments of laughter and the moments of weariness—while the promises of God’s Word echo quietly in the background, giving meaning and strength. Imagine prayer slipping in between breaths, as natural as thought itself: “You are my strength.” “Lord, thank You.” “Lead me.” We answer God with His own promises, and His promises steady us. |
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| | When words run thin, we borrow the language of the Psalms. When courage runs low, we borrow the faith of friends.
We gather, we listen, we speak life over one another—and slowly the fragments of our attention are gathered back into wholeness.
This is how we learn to live with God—not by trying harder, but by returning sooner; not by performing, but by abiding. |
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It is not about adding another task to the list. It is about weaving God into the fabric of our ordinary days until His presence is what steadies us, shapes us, and carries us into whatever lies ahead. | | | | | | | Let this year be less about adding and more about aligning—thought by thought, moment by moment—until prayer becomes as natural as breathing, and Scripture the story our minds return to without being told. | | | | | |
| Prayer is not just what we do alone—it’s what we carry together. Join us each week as we practice this rhythm of Scripture and prayer side by side. | | |
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Different Faces, One Heartbeat |
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| | When you look at these little windows on a screen, you see more than faces. You see stories—some spoken, some carried quietly.
Some women come carrying wounds still mending; others come with open hands, ready to stand with a friend, a daughter, a sister, or simply because their heart will not let them turn away. |
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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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They may look like simple video boxes, but they’re moments of connection—bringing together women from kitchens, bedrooms, and living rooms in homes near and far.
They show up for prayer on a Tuesday night, voices rising together as the day winds down in the background. They show up for S.H.A.P.E. class, where Scripture and practical wisdom weave into something strong enough to hold them through the week. They show up in WhatsApp chats, sending a word, a verse, or even just a smile when someone needs to remember they aren’t alone.
This is the unseen beauty of our online gatherings: a patchwork of presence. No matter the distance, each square on the screen stitches into the same fabric of connection and hope. | | | | | | | As we step into 2026, we continue to hold this space for whoever needs it—those healing, those helping, and those who simply want to walk alongside survivors. | | | | | |
| Because Mending The Scarred is not only about scars of the past; it’s about the living work of community—one that believes healing is never a solitary journey. |
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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 is a welcoming space to grow in faith, share encouragement, and stay connected—right from home, no matter what season of life you’re in.
You can learn more about our gatherings and ongoing programs on our website. However you connect, we hope you know this: you’re part of a community that walks together, listens deeply, and believes in the steady, intentional work of healing. | | |
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S.H.A.P.E.
Our next S.H.A.P.E. class is on the horizon!
As we step into a new year, we’re thrilled to announce that our 14-week S.H.A.P.E. journey will return in August 2026.
Meeting once a week via Zoom for a meaningful one-hour session, this guided experience is a beautiful opportunity to explore how God uniquely crafted you—and to step forward with confidence into the calling He’s placed on your life.
Go ahead and hold space on your calendars for August. The specific date and time will be announced as we approach the month, and we can’t wait to walk this discovery journey together! |
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| | | | | | United in Theme, Unique in Voice
Gathering hearts across Orlando and now Jacksonville—in English and Spanish.
Beginning this January, all our chapters will journey together through one shared monthly theme. Each gathering brings its own rhythm and personality, yet the heart behind the message remains the same—a thread connecting women across cities and languages.
Our Jacksonville Chapter will now join us in this unified rhythm, dedicating one of their weekly Thursday meetings each month to the shared theme. And while most chapters will meet as usual, our Casselberry group will pause for January, since their first-Thursday gathering falls on New Year’s Day.
To make it simple to join wherever you are, each chapter shares its own flyer with date, time, and location. And for our Spanish-speaking community, our dedicated Spanish chapter walks through the same monthly topic—fully in Spanish.
Whether in English or Spanish, in Orlando or Jacksonville, the invitation is the same: to grow together through reflections, shared experiences, Scripture, and meaningful conversation.
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Note: We’ve received an update regarding our Spanish chapter. The January 19th gathering has been canceled due to other scheduled activities at the host church this month. The group will resume meeting as usual in February. | | | | | |
| This Month’s Topic: Identity: Rooted in Wholeness
This month, we pause to consider what it truly means to live from a place of healing and inner steadiness.
Identity—when grounded in what is true and life-giving—shapes the way we move through our days, how we understand ourselves, and how we find our footing again after difficult seasons.
In our time together, we’ll thoughtfully explore how our sense of self can be strengthened, restored, and re-centered. It’s a chance to look beyond old patterns or painful memories and reconnect with the deeper story unfolding within each of us.
Whether you’re taking your first steps toward healing or longing for a renewed sense of clarity, this month’s theme offers space to rest, reflect, and rediscover the wholeness you were always meant to walk in. |
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| ¿Hablas español? | Speak Spanish?
Nota: Recibimos una actualización sobre nuestro capítulo en español. La reunión del 19 de enero ha sido cancelada debido a otras actividades programadas en la iglesia anfitriona durante este mes. El grupo reanudará sus reuniones con normalidad en febrero. |
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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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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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