Our Story
In 2019 we started a bible based support group. With that experience we quickly realized that we needed a more comprehensive team approach that could effectively minister to needs that were being presented. In February 2021, we became a non-profit ministry to more effectively assist those impacted by domestic abuse and oppression.
Get StartedOur Values
At Beauty from Ashes, our foundation is built on a deep understanding of human experiences. We believe in creating a transformative environment that is safe, inclusive, and empowering. Our guiding principles shape every aspect of our work, ensuring that everyone who comes to us feels valued, supported, and heard.
Empowering & Encouraging Hope
Given Me Hope
The support group has given me hope and taught me my worth in Jesus. It has helped me overcome the results of the abuse I endured, and has given me a heart to help others in similar situations
Jill
My Sanity and Lifeline
Beauty from Ashes has been my sanity and my lifeline through one of the most difficult things I’ve had to walk through
Mary
My Saving Grace
BFA has been my saving grace in a world where I thought I was completely silent, dark and broken
Jane
Meet Our Team
Debby Mylar, MS, MAC
Co-Founder and Director
Debby co-founded Beauty from Ashes in 2021 after co-leading a weekly support group for abused and oppressed women since 2019. Her passion is to connect people to the gospel of Jesus Christ as they wrestle with relational, emotional, or spiritual issues in their lives. Debby has been a certified biblical counselor since 2010. She holds a Master’s degree in Biblical Counseling from Westminster Theological Seminary in Philadelphia, PA and is a certified Christian Trauma Care Provider. In addition, she has been a certified Christian Conciliator since 2005 serving as a coach and mediator. For fun, she enjoys running, biking, hiking and reading. She married her husband, Frank in 1987, has five grown children and five grandchildren whom she loves to take trips with and do life with as time permits.
Lori Smithson
Program and Development Director
Widowed since 2017, she remarried a few years later and found herself clouded in confusion and chaos from this destructive marriage which has since ended. Her journey toward truth and clarity has ignited a passion to help the organization in assisting fellow survivors. Professionally, her experiences have been within educational leadership, ranging from traditional school setting, to teaching online at the university level, and extends to several years of managing corporate sales training. She has obtained her B.S. and M.A.Ed from Biola University. Lori enjoys laughing and anything active and outdoors, especially, mountain biking, hiking, skiing, camping, and road trips.
Gina Ogden
Administrative Assistant
Gina joined the team in 2023 as our Administrative Assistant. She has a B.S. in Biblical Counseling, and she has years of experience working with trauma survivors and community organizations. As an abuse survivor herself, she loves being able to serve in our ministry. Gina homeschools her four children, and she brings a passion for learning, growth, and excellence to our organization. For fun, she loves music, hiking, travel, and reading.