MEET THE MENTOR MOMS

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 17 and one more expected in October. I also have two great-grandsons. I enjoy good coffee, audiobooks, biking, and spending time with my wonderful family. 

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.

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.

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.

My husband Dave and I have been married for 39 years.   We have been members at CVC for 23 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 are enjoying volunteering as "Red Coats" at Playhouse Square.    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 CVC's MissionFit.  I work 2 days a week at The Emergency Assistance Center, 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. 

I'm Karen Smosarski, and I'm humbled and thrilled to be serving alongside you amazing moms this year!  I’ve been married 35 years to my retired firefighter husband Ray.  We have two grown children. Our daughter works with Big Brothers/Big Sisters, and her husband is a missionary with Off the Wall Discipleship, working with young adults. They reside in New Philadelphia, Ohio, with their four children who have been adopted from foster care. Our son is a plumbing apprentice, and his wife is an interior designer. They live in Chelsea, Michigan and have one daughter and a firstborn son we will meet in heaven. Our family story includes joy, loss, and everything in between.  

My journey has taken me from career to stay-at-home mom, to volunteering with ICAN of Greater Cleveland supporting women through traumatic birth experiences, breast cancer at a young age, countless PTO meetings, Pioneer Club, community committees, and driving the minivan with the license plate KS TAXI taking my kids and their friends wherever they needed to be. 

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As my kids got older, I worked part-time as a church secretary and then as a receptionist at an ophthalmology office. Now that I am retired, I look forward to serving the moms of Momtourage this year!