{"id":6782,"date":"2024-02-27T05:34:31","date_gmt":"2024-02-27T13:34:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/themendproject.com\/?page_id=6782"},"modified":"2026-03-18T10:13:34","modified_gmt":"2026-03-18T17:13:34","slug":"about","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/staging.themendproject.com\/es\/about\/","title":{"rendered":"The MEND Project | About our Not-for-Profit"},"content":{"rendered":"

El Proyecto MEND<\/span><\/h2>\n

Seeks to Educate, Equip, and Restore All Who Are <\/strong><\/strong>Impacted by Emotional Abuse and Trains Those Who <\/strong><\/strong>Interface With Them Personally or Professionally<\/strong>
<\/strong><\/h1>\n

\"Annette<\/span><\/p>\n

Annette Oltmans<\/strong>,<\/span> <\/strong>founder of The MEND Project, a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, endured years of emotional abuse in her marriage. The original harm she experienced was compounded when she encountered spiritual and institutional abuse from her community. She experienced domestic violence in the form of Covert Emotional Abuse and additional harm from those she thought she could trust..<\/p>\n

When she sought help, her trauma was exacerbated by the way friends, counselors, and church leaders responded. They either refused to believe her or reacted with judgment, ultimatums, ineffective therapeutic approaches, or patriarchal demands.<\/p>\n

This further mistreatment pushed Annette deeper into isolation and hopelessness. Her health was deteriorating due to the stress from both the relationship abuse and these harmful responses. Her moment of clarity came when she observed similar physical and emotional symptoms in a close family friend who was also experiencing abuse and was not supported or believed by those she turned to for help.<\/p>\n

This deeply resonated with Annette, bringing fresh insight into her pain. While the original abuse was devastating, the additional harm from those she sought support from was even more traumatic.<\/p>\n

She has defined this as Double Abuse\u00ae<\/a>, the traumatic event that occurs when victims finally find the courage to speak up or reach out for help, but instead of being believed, they are criticized, judged, interrogated, given harmful advice, or ostracized by family, friends, therapists, faith-based organizations, or professional communities.<\/p>\n

The MEND Project<\/span><\/strong> <\/span>was created to provide healing and support for all those affected by abuse, offering a comprehensive pathway for victims to access clarifying and empowering tools on their journey toward self-restoration.<\/p>\n

We\u2019re so glad you are here!<\/p>\n

Mission Statement<\/strong><\/h2>\n

El Proyecto MEND<\/span><\/strong> seeks to educate, equip, and restore all who are impacted by emotional abuse and trains those who interface with them personally or professionally.<\/p>\n

Vision Statement<\/strong><\/h2>\n

To End Double Abuse<\/a>\u00ae<\/sup><\/p>\n

Statement of Faith<\/strong><\/h2>\n

El Proyecto MEND<\/span><\/strong> seeks to make available the teachings of Judeo-Christian principles while respecting every individual\u2019s religious, cultural, ethnic, or socio-economic background. We acknowledge the Bible\u2019s teachings that each person is created equal and in God\u2019s image. MEND\u2019s vision and mission reflect the principles and teachings of Jesus in an outpouring of compassion and mercy for the marginalized and oppressed.<\/p>\n

We operate under the following guiding verse:<\/p>\n

It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. But everything exposed by the light becomes visible and everything that is illuminated becomes a light.\u201d Ephesians 5:12-13<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

We seek to boldly expose the hidden issues of Original Abuse and Double Abuse\u00ae<\/span><\/strong> in our culture, and bring them into the light so that we do no further harm to victims. With this as our guide, we hold these core values sacred:<\/p>\n