Author Cindy Spray speaks at luncheon; more to come

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Author and child abuse survivor Cindy Spray spoke at our January luncheon in Bradenton. She’s the author of “Crying Without Tears,” an account of her own experience and a guide for others to learn how to recognize the signs of abuse.

Cindy Spray speaks at a microphone on stage
Cindy Spray, author of “Crying Without Tears,” speaks January 15, 2022, about child abuse at the Better Together parents luncheon in Bradenton.

“I am a survivor of child abuse,” Spray writes. “At an early age I had no choices in my future. But GOD chose me to be the protector of my brothers and sisters. I made a critical decision that affected my entire family. I chose to protect my youngest family members from a life I was already living. I went from being the most hated member in the family to becoming the most respected. Through it all, God held my hand and my heart. He leads my life. My faith in Him took me from the life I had to the life I have now.”

Better Together organizes a luncheon at various locations each month to bring parents together for community, to support each other and to hear from experts while their children play supervised in another room. Admission is free and includes lunch. (Scroll down for photos from this month’s luncheon in Bradenton.)

The Blessing Bags Project donated bears for the children at the Bradenton luncheon in January, and First Baptist Bradenton hosted and sponsored the event.

In Southwest Florida, Ann Lefcakis, co-owner of Real Fitness, a CrossFit gym in Naples, will speak January 22 about nutrition and fitness at Turning Point Church in Bonita Springs.

NOTE: The January 22 luncheon was canceled due to Covid-19. We’re planning to reschedule.

In February, our Southwest Florida guest speaker is Rochelle Figur, director of recovery ministries at Grace Church. That luncheon is Saturday, February 19 at Center Point Church in Naples.

We’ll host our first Jacksonville luncheon March 12 at Awaken Church. The guest speaker is Meiko Paige with the True North Project, which helps middle and high school students develop foundational relationships and life skills. She’ll be talking about nurturing healthy relationships with your children.

To register for any of the luncheons, visit BetterTogetherUS.org/lunch-rsvp or call 239-470-2733.

 

Posted January 20, 2022 | Pamela Hayford

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