MEET THE MENTOR MOMS
These women have successfully completed raising preschoolers, and they take the time to invest in and encourage those of us still in the thick of early motherhood. They offer wisdom and perspective during these exhausting days and long nights. Read on to learn a little bit about each one of them.
Trust us, you'll like them. They're pretty great!
THEA DOMZALSKI
Table One
I have been married to my husband Larry since 1985. I am the mother of eight children, four daughters and four sons. I'm also a grandmother to fourteen (seven grandsons, six granddaughters, one grandson-in-law). I also have one great-grandson. I enjoy good coffee, audiobooks, and spending time with my wonderful family.
JAN DOSEN
Table Three
My name is Jan Dosen and I have been married to my husband and high school sweetheart Dave Dosen for almost 35 years. We live in Brecksville, have three older children and one grandchild. Our oldest daughter is married and living in Cincinnati with her husband of 8 years. They recently adopted a baby boy (Luke) in June, so I am now Grammy D.D. I have another daughter in Columbus, and my son Ken recently bought a house in Lyndhurst. We did own a condo in Florida for 10 years, but sold it in April. God knew we were going to be busy with a grandchild, so He got us ready…God is good!
I enjoy working out, golfing, reading and walking my dog.
JAN SIXT
Table Four
I’m the mother of two adult children and the grandmother of three. Larry Young and I married in 2020. As a private tutor/teacher, I have worked with families for decades teaching students and supporting parents as they help with homework, or homeschool outright. I have authored two educational books and created a video series for parents and students from Pre-K – 12th grade. As parents and caregivers, I believe that you are your child’s first teachers. Your classroom is your home and neighborhood. Your curriculum is the humble flow of your daily lives together.
JEAN BALATA
Table Six
Hi my name is Jean Balata, my husband is Jim we’re married 40 years. We have 4 adult children, 2 grandchildren. We have been part of and involved with CVC since 1990, I teach 1st grade Sunday School, was a preschool teacher for 15 years and have lead women’s Bible studies for the past 9 years. I’m involved with COTS preparing food and serve at the Mobile Food pantry. I’ve served with Momtourage these past 10 years and love the opportunity to encourage the mommas.
I enjoy walking, biking, cooking & baking, being with family & friends. I love the opportunity God puts me in to meet and encourage others to love Him more.
KAREN GENCO
Table Eight
My husband Dave and I have been married for 38 years. We have been blessed with 4 wonderful sons. Our second son is married and so we were further blessed with 3 grandchildren (girl, boy, girl) and a lovely daughter-in-law. Life is like a railroad track, one rail being the blessings and the other the challenges. We could never have anticipated what our life would look like today. When we got married, we moved far from home for 18 years of our marriage. Our church family has always been very important to me with all the moves we made from OH, CT, MI, IL and then back to OH. Throughout my years of raising our children, I have had other women from our churches supporting me in my role. I am returning to MomTourage to serve and support the young moms in their role of marriage and parenthood which is the most important aspect of my life from a Christian perspective. Since we have become empty nesters (after the loss of our dogs) Dave and I have enjoyed being a part of the Playhouse Square Red Coats. Bringing clean water and having the opportunity to share my faith to allow the Holy spirit to bring spiritual water to the people in Cuba, was an experience of a lifetime. Trying to stay physically fit is important to us so we are able to serve the Lord where he places us. I enjoy being a part of MissionFit. I work 2 days a week at The Emergency Assistance Center which is one of CVC's "Big 10", helping support people with food insecurity and having the opportunity to support people emotionally and spiritually. I look forward to serving and getting to know the ladies of MomTourage this year.
LAURIE WEISER
Table Eleven
Hello there, I'm Laurie Weiser. My high school sweetheart, Dave, and I have been married since 1998. We have three daughters. The oldest, Abbey, is a freshman at The Ohio State University studying Health Sciences. Hailey, our middle, is a sophomore in high school and cheers on the Varsity Football squad. Our youngest, Whitney, is a sixth grader in middle school. Our two youngest dance competitively. I work at CVC a few days a week. To me, the biblical model of MOMtourage lies in the generational linking where each generation can add value to the other. The fellowship proves to be one of the best features of MOMtourage!
PENNY CHAPEK
Table Two
Hi, my name is Penny! After high school, I attended John Carrol University and received a Bachelor of Mathematics and a secondary teaching degree. I met my husband, John, right out of high school and we were married in 1991. Over the years, God blessed us with four children: 3 beautiful girls and 1 handsome boy! Our family has grown to include two wonderful sons-in-law and one beautiful daughter-in-law. The last five years, four grandchildren were added to our family: 2 sweet girls and 2 adorable boys! I had the privilege of homeschooling our children through high school and I loved every moment of having them home with me! The last few years, John and I have watched our children leave our home and begin their adult lives! Our greatest joy is knowing that each of them love Jesus and are following Him completely! John and I are enjoying our time as “empty nesters.” Yet, our hearts are overjoyed when our home is filled with our children and grandchildren! After homeschooling my children, I had the honor of caring for some sweet elderly women with dementia. I also worked with the children at CVC Brunswick. Now that I am “retired”, I fill my days with cross stitching, gardening, and playing with my grandchildren. I loved being a mom to my children and I love being “grandma” and “Mimi”! I look forward to walking alongside mothers and encouraging and supporting them as they begin their journey of motherhood!
DENISE PETEK
Table Five
I have been married to Tom for over 30 years. We have four adult children plus a daughter who was added to our family seventeen years ago after the loss of her mother as a teenager. In the past three years we have had the blessing of six grandchildren added to the Petek Clan.
I have served as the Children’s Minister at CVC for the past 17 years. My passion in ministry is to serve families by equipping parents to spiritually lead, and children to love the Lord, His word, and have fun at church!
VICKI TOMASHESKI
Table Seven
Hi friends, my name is Vicki Tomasheski, I have been married to Mike for 43 years this October. We have two adult children, Tyler and Gabriella and a new daughter in law, Hannah. We both retired last year and have a 5th wheel camper. We are looking forward to continue our travels around this beautiful country over the next few years. After 33 years in education, teaching grades 5-8 all subjects, but mostly science and computer, I can honestly say it was a very rewarding and humbling career. It was all God- one day I will share this story. I have served at CVC and WRGBC church in children’s ministry and MS & HS youth groups. In my early years at CVC I worked alongside some wonderful women planning the annual weekend conferences. I love to serve others and enjoy a good cup of coffee/tea/meal along with great conversation, especially about what the Lord is doing in the lives of others. I’m looking forward to being a blessing and being blessed through listening, encouraging and sharing life with other moms on their journey.
LAURIE MANTI
Table Nine
I have been married to my husband Ben for over 25 years. Prior to being a mom of one boy who is now 12 years old, I earned a bachelor's degree in Individual and Family Studies. I gained experience with children as a Youth program Manager and then earned a Masters in Labor Relations and Human Resources and worked as a HR Manager for small companies. At the time, I was very career oriented. However, God had other plans for our family. I answered a call to leave my career and stay at home to care for my family (prior to even knowing a child would soon be coming), a radical shift that I was very ready for. It has been the most rewarding "job" I could ever take on. Over the years, God has been growing me in and providing opportunities for me to encourage other women in their marriages and motherhood. Listening to others, sharing my experience, praying through the real struggles of life and helping to point others to Jesus and what he desires for our lives is a great priveledge for me.
THERESA RAFFIN
Table Ten
My name is Theresa Raffin, I've been married to Dante, my high school sweetheart, for over 30 years and we have 5 amazing sons. Our oldest is married and thriving! Our second oldest is a cardiac icu nurse in Orlando, our middle son is in the US Navy, our forth son just joined the Air Force and our youngest son is a freshman. We are a baseball, lacrosse, rugby and now military family. Because of Jesus, I choose to live life to the fullest and make a difference along the way. Welcome to MOMtourage!
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TRACI SCHIMPF
Table Twelve
Hello, my name is Traci Schimpf. I have had the privilege of being a Mentor Mom for 6 years. My husband Matt and I have been married for 29 years and live in Brecksville. We have two children. Madelyn is 26 and lives in Cincinnati and works as a Medical Sales Representative for Steris. Luke is 24, lives locally, and works in Real Estate. I currently work part time at CVC as a Pastoral Assistant for the Community Life Team. I enjoy playing tennis, and Friday date night! Momtourage has been a great source of fellowship and encouragement to me. I’m reminded of 1 Thessalonians 5:11 where the Lord says we are to “encourage one another and build each other up in the faith.” That’s what Momtourage is all about!