Daybreak
By Ruth Schenk | .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Casey Schraffenberger was a “struggler” before taking Daybreak, an eight-week class designed to encourage and equip single moms.
“I loved going to Daybreak,” Schraffenberger, 25, said. “Each one in the group was different, but as single moms we deal with a lot of the same struggles.
At Daybreak we learned life skills like budgeting and parenting, how to forgive and practical life skills. One of the best times was hearing the testimonies
of other single moms.”
Daybreak Classes begin at the Blankenbaker Campus Sept. 22 and on the Indiana Campus Oct. 4.
They are free and include dinner and a program for children that builds self-confidence and coping skills.
Schraffenberger still keeps in touch with the Daybreak encouragers who called her during the week: Jill Foust, Jill Frawley and Betsy Gengo, best
friends who volunteered together for Daybreak.
At first, Foust signed up to help because the task was manageable. All she had to do was encourage the women at her table.
“That was doable for me,” she said. “As encouragers, we do a lot of listening. Each single mom in the group is going through different stages. Some are
going through a divorce. Others have been single moms for a while and need some direction and support. Often there’s still a lot of hurt.”
Foust sees walls come down week by week during Daybreak.
“Many of the women are wounded when they come,” she said.
“But over the next couple of weeks, they begin to change," she added. "Soon they are giggling and helping each other, sharing deeper issues and connecting with the speakers. When women leave Daybreak, they know that they are not alone. Even more important, they know Jesus is the only one who can get them through the yuck. No boyfriend or windfall of funds can fix it like He can.”
Vladyslava Glenn learned about Daybreak while browsing the Southeast website.
A single mom who grew up in Ukraine, she was looking for direction.
“I call eight sessions of Daybreak eight days of Jesus,” she said. “Imagine hands that take you from where you led yourself, to a place of
encouragement. Imagine eyes that choose not to look back in your past and words that comfort instead of condemn.”
Glenn said she loved the caring approach.
“I’m a baby in Christ,” she said. “Leaders at Daybreak taught, led and coached us. We learned how to pursue goals, how to manage finances and
remain pure in heart. It continues to be my daily blessing."
Encourager Betsy Gengo said Daybreak is a big blessing for her.
“Some of the girls we get to know haven’t experienced love in their entire lives except for guys who say they love them,” she said. “Some have never been
in church in their lives. They learn that Jesus loves them no matter what they do. We get to see real life change.”
Gengo said she learns a lot through Daybreak speakers, who are different every night.
Most have been single parents and understand the challenges.
“The speakers are phenomenal,” Frawley said. “They relate to the women. So do the women who give their testimonies.”
Since Southeast members Karen Aroh and Lori Bordas began Daybreak 18 years ago, more than 1,000 women have graduated from the program.
Many of the graduates return to serve as encouragers.