“WE HAVE an extensive waiting list. Before we’re able to help, ladies will overdose and die. They are no longer here to reap the benefits of Blue Monarch,” said Shakia Craig, the officer of community relations and development.
“We don’t know what kind of situation we’re sending not only the woman but her precious babies back into,” said Kate Cataldo, the operations director. “We try not to hang up until we’ve connected them to some type of resource, but unfortunately, we don’t have the space available to take every woman who calls.”
Hearts ache for those on the list, but the people of Tullahoma can be grateful to know that a program exists in Coffee County where women learn to overcome addictions hand-in-hand with their children, so they can heal and move forward together. Craig, a graduate herself, said, “I was broken, heavily addicted to drugs, and living in poverty. I was a single mom who wanted better for myself and my children. I was surrounded by chaos and saw no way out. Since coming to Blue Monarch, I no longer need drugs to exist. I’m there for my children, and they don’t have to worry when mom is coming back. We are a family now. I have a career and a home. My babies have consistency— which is a very important piece that was missing.”
Blue Monarch focuses on more than addiction. Craig said, “We focus on rebuilding the whole family. We address every aspect of recovery so ladies can walk in true freedom as women and mothers. We have served over 880 women and children, but honestly we don’t know how many generations have been impacted. We are eager to serve more.”
“We put just as much emphasis on the child’s recovery as we do the mother,” said Cataldo. “Because the children have been through significant trauma, we have a child life specialist that walks with every child through the recovery process. The mother may have been raised in an environment of addiction and abuse, so she has never seen what it’s like to be a sober mom and doesn’t know what a healthy family unit looks like. Every woman meets with a master-level counselor, and we have group therapy sessions and cognitive behavioral therapy. We teach life skills such as gardening, cooking, and budgeting. We promote healthy eating and fitness. We provide mentors and tutors for every child we serve.”
The residents of Coffee County, and others, have embraced Blue Monarch with open arms. Craig said, “We cannot turn the lights on without our community. We’ve added eight new cottages and most recently an eight-family home. We have expanded our granola business (www.outofthebluegranola.com), and have grown from 50 acres to 108 acres, adding a farmhouse, three barns, and two horses.”
“Blue Monarch is not an easy program, but it is rewarding if you stay the course. Don’t give up. Persevere. You gotta trudge forward, and all will be well once you get to the finish.” GN
