2024
BLUEMONARCH.ORG
ANNUAL REPORT
BREAKING CYCLES AND RESTORING FAMILES SINCE 2003
BLUE MONARCH BOARD AND STAFF
EXECUTIVE BOARD
BOARD CHAIR - Dr. Bryan Myers VICE CHAIR - Elizabeth Bowling TREASURER - Henry Crais SECRETARY - Doug Cameron
Susan Binkley Donna Lodge Jenny Orr Tiffany Vaughn
STAFF FOUNDER, PRESIDENT Susan Binkley EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Deanna Howell PROGRAM DIRECTOR Jeannie Campbell DIRECTOR OF PARENTING AND CHILDREN’S SERVICES Tricia Schmeide FINANCE MANAGER Joy Malone DIRECTOR OF CASE MANAGEMENT Lauren Mason CHRISTIAN COUNSELOR Grace Drummer OFFICER OF DEVELOPMENT AND COMMUNITY RELATIONS Shakia Craig EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT AND OPERATIONS OFFICER Megan Oliver DIRECTOR OF RESIDENTIAL LIFE Tasha Williams RESIDENTIAL LIFE ASSISTANT Heather Neumann PARENTING AND CHILDREN ASSISTANT Ashlyn Gibson TRANSPORTATION COORDINATOR Jamie Thompson BLUE MONARCH PRODUCTS MANAGER Taylor Hendren
Blue Monarch provides a long-term, residential and therapeutic Christian community for women and their children to break adverse cycles and rebuild their families.
Serve, not fix. Love, not judge.
Cover Photo by Michelle Barnett Photography
Annual Report
2024
Honestly, as we entered 2024, I was anxious to see how the new year might possibly compare to our previous year, which was our 20th anniversary. It felt as if I was standing at a door, uncertain what was on the other side. FROM OUR FOUNDER But 2024 proved to be another treasure, full of unexpected blessings, surprises, and triumphs. We broke ground on our much needed multipurpose building, which has been floating around in my head for years, as we have contemplated how this magnificent structure might solve many everyday problems for us as we grow. I spent much of the year spreading the word of Blue Monarch in new places through various outlets. This was revelatory for me as it highlighted just how unique and highly successful Blue Monarch’s program has become. I was enormously proud of our dedicated staff, and all the many people who make our ministry possible. Although our services have grown and become more and more robust, the need for what we do has also grown. The level of trauma our moms and kids have experienced continues to grow in severity. And as a result, we have made appropriate adjustments to meet those needs in a way that has proven to be life changing. I have seen a child who was diagnosed as autistic lose this title as he began to heal from his trauma. I watched another boy, who never smiled or engaged as other kids did, literally come alive and begin playing for the first time after undergoing the process we now have for victims of intense suffering. As with every year, I have witnessed multiple children reunited with their mothers who had lost custody - which will never get old. And I have seen women who walked in our doors feeling less than hopeless, walk out with exciting careers and a zest for life they never knew before. They are truly my heroes! So, 2024 was our 21st year, and I am happy to say Blue Monarch is still thriving. Our families are healing. And God’s miracles are still happening here on a daily basis. I am just humbled and grateful to see it all happen right before my eyes. And I am completely overwhelmed when I think of all the people who partner with us to make Blue Monarch possible. Susan Binkley
BLUE MONARCH RECOVERY PROGRAM
1.
SPIRITUAL GROWTH
2.
3.
PARENTING SOBER PROGRAM
LONG-TERM & RESIDENTIAL RECOVERY
4.
5.
CHRISTIAN COUNSELING
ROBUST CHILDREN’S PROGRAM
6.
7.
WINGS GRADUATE COMMUNITY
WORK ETHICS TRAINING
PROVERBS 22:6 CHILDREN’S PROGRAM
Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it. Proverbs 22:6
SPIRITUAL GROWTH- providing a nurturing, Christian environment and introduction to Jesus
ASSESSMENTS AND REFERRALS - careful evaluation for specific needs, seeking additional therapeutic assistance if needed INDIVIDUAL TREATMENT PLANS- determining specific goals and methods of interventions TUTORING AND MENTORING - assistance with school work if needed and creating friendships with outside volunteers BUILDING SELF-ESTEEM- encouraging healthy, appropriate behavior and self-worth MOM/SCHOOL PARTICIPATION - promoting parent involvement and participation with teachers and school FUN ON THE FARM! - regaining lost childhoods through play on our 108 acre farm with a dog, cats, chickens, goats, and horses
At Blue Monarch, we focus on the child’s recovery as much as we do the mom’s. After all, they need to recover from their own experiences and trauma.
PARENTING SOBER PROGRAM
LEARNING TO BE THE MOM SHE DESPERATELY WANTS TO BE
Then, because of what the child goes through, he develops behaviors that are difficult to manage. And because of the chaos both have experienced, neither feels an attachment toward the other in the way most of us take for granted. This could look impossible if not for our highly successful Sober Parenting Program, which not only equips mothers to parent their children in a healthy way, but also allows them to grow into nurturing, protective, engaged, loving parents.
With the struggles of single parenting, many moms would turn to drugs to cope if they were not at Blue Monarch with a supportive team to help. It’s the perfect storm. Here is a mother who probably never saw healthy parenting growing up and may have been taught to use drugs by her own parents. She becomes an adult and has a child, but she’s addicted to drugs and has no experience parenting sober. And she doesn’t know how to love her child, even though she desperately wants to.
Many of our moms and kids show up missing the kind of attachment for one another that most of us take for granted. There are many reasons for that, but with time, our mothers develop a nurturing relationship with their children, sometimes for the very first time.
Our moms and kids heal and recover together as they get to know each other in a new way without chaos and trauma getting in the way.
REUNIFICATION MOMENTS IN 2024
THROUGH THE CARMEN SIMMONS REUNIFICATION PROGRAM
Since Blue Monarch began in 2003, over 360 children have been reunited with their mothers who had lost custody. In 2024, there were 21 children who reestablished relationships with their mothers after painful and sometimes lengthy separations. This process to restore one’s family is often very complicated and can sometimes feel impossible. But for the moms who persevere and fight the temptation to give up hope, the results are breathtaking.
Michelle Barnett Photography
HADASSAH 2024 BLUE MONARCH GRADUATE
I was adopted at 3 months old, had a pretty normal childhood, and was raised in a Christian home with a working dad and supportive mother. I had no confidence, was painfully shy, and always felt I was not good enough. At 16 I discovered alcohol gave me the courage I needed to be around people and it took away my social awkwardness. Drinking daily, I thought I needed it to be myself. At 23 I became pregnant but wasn’t ready to be a mom. The father convinced me to go to Planned Parenthood and it was there I discovered I was carrying twins. I realized God gave me the deep desire to have twins when I was younger for this moment and decided to keep them, but I still couldn’t quit drinking, and they were born 3 ⁄ months early. My family eventually filed emergency custody and later adopted my twins. I tried so hard but couldn’t escape my addictions. I later became pregnant with my daughter, Kimber, and she helped replace the void in my heart. I had a son, Reese, a year later. But my addiction went from alcohol to amphetamines. I would use drugs to help me clean and do the things a stay-at-home mom would do. When I was pregnant with Avery, I was scared to death and didn’t think I could handle three kids. The kids’ father and I got married but right after Avery was born, Rayce had a mental breakdown and quit his job. Both of our addictions went from amphetamines to meth and heroin. To make things more stressful, I became pregnant again. Valor was born 2 ⁄ months early and stayed in the NICU until he was safe to come home. I loved my kids but couldn’t care for them the way they needed it. I was depressed and sick of the same cycle - staying up for days cleaning and then crashing for a few days. One morning I woke up and knew something was wrong. I went to our bedroom to find my husband passed out on the bed. I knew instantly he had overdosed. I called 911 but it was too late. Weeks later the kids went to stay with family. Finally, I knew I had to choose drugs or God. I decided to surrender everything to God, and he brought me to Blue Monarch. This is where I learned to walk in freedom. I am pursuing a career I love as a hair stylist, and my family is healthy. God has done so many miracles for my family and has helped piece us back together again! Hadassah
FINANCIAL OVERVIEW
PROGRAM 61%
ADMINISTRATION 19% FUNDRAISING 20%
REVENUE FOR 2024 Annual Operating $1,490,222 Capital Expansion $665,834
ASSETS FOR 2024 Fixed $4,623,973 Bank Accounts $700,943 Investments $2,439,364
EXPENSES FOR 2024 Annual Operating $1,225,163 Capital Expansion $1,133,449
LIABILITIES FOR 2024
Total $6,533
Fiscal year 2024 results are not yet audited at the printing of this report.
Michelle Barnett Photography
2024 NUMBERS
POPULATION SERVED IN 2024 42 Women 65 Residential Children 19 Non-residential Children 3 Graduates in WINGS Transitional Program HIGHLIGHTS OF 2024 2 Mothers regained legal custody 21 Children were reunited with their mothers
RESIDENTS RECEIVED THE FOLLOWING HOURS OF SERVICES IN 2024 1,806 Individual and group counseling 5,980 Addiction recovery 6,801 Spiritual growth 2,354 Carmen Simmons reunification program 16,761 Parenting sober with hands-on coaching 5,011 Proverbs 22:6 children’s program 12,823 Life skills and healthy living 3,393 Individual case management/court advocacy 3,263 Work ethics, job training, on-site employment 11,969 WINGS transitional program for graduates
MULTIPURPOSE BUILDING
STOP DREAMING AND START DOING.
In the Spring of 2024, we broke ground on our new multipurpose building. This magnificent structure will house a chapel, classrooms, offices, and all the amenities we need on a daily basis. The stunning event space will not only provide an excellent venue for Blue Monarch events and graduations, but will offer an amazing space for year-round recreation and activities. We are also excited to finally have adequate room for workshops to train all the many similar ministries and organizations who reach out to us to learn from our 22 years of experience serving women and children in recovery. Once we remove all our operating activities and offices from our current house, it will once again be able to accomodate five additional families. As of date, we have raised roughly half of the total cost for this structure.
FRONT VIEW WITH CHAPEL
EVENT/RECREATION SPACE
CURRENT IN MARCH OF 2025
CHEYENNE 2024 BLUE MONARCH GRADUATE
For over 10 years, I was stuck in a cycle of rehabs, addiction and homelessness. I was addicted to drugs, facing felony charges and jail time. I was living in and out of hotels and both my children were living with my parents. I was not the mother they desperately needed. Having lost all hope, I knew that I couldn’t continue living this way, but I didn’t know how to get out of the mess that I had created. One night in my lonely hotel room I had a moment of clarity. For the first time in a long time, I fell to my knees and cried out to the Lord. Not long after this a series of events happened which ultimately led me to the doors of Blue Monarch. When I arrived at Blue Monarch, I had no idea what I was getting myself into. They told me this program was not for the faint of heart and it would take a lot of hard work and commitment on my part. This was a turning point in my life. I had two choices: to live or to die. And I chose life! I quickly realized that God had placed me in the center of some of the most courageous women I had ever met. By their examples I would learn how to live a life of freedom. Over time I started to love myself again and heal. Today I have become a consistent and supportive mother to Charlie and Brody. While working at Out of the Blue Granola, I have been pursuing my real estate license. But the most rewarding experience has been regaining full custody of my children and the day my daughter said, “I feel safe with you Mom.” Looking back, I am unrecognizable from the woman I used to be. With the help of this life changing program, the Lord has restored all the years the locusts had eaten. (Joel 2:25) Cheyenne
Michelle Barnett Photography
FURTHERING EDUCATION
PICKING UP WHERE THEY LEFT OFF
At a time when others may have been focusing on high school and life beyond graduation, many of the women we serve were already caught up in lives of chaos and addiction. And before they knew it, they were also mothers to one or more children. Times like these, it can feel as if life left one behind and it is too late to catch up. But we encourage the women we serve to complete their high school education in preparation for life beyond Blue Monarch. This can be overwhelming when the beginning point is an eighth, ninth, or tenth grade level.
This “catch-up” diploma is sometimes the very first time they have successfully completed something for which they can be proud and we love celebrating with them.
“This opened up a whole lot of new doors for me and gave me confidence to actually pursue a career now instead of just a job!” Cassidy Williams
GRANOLA KITCHEN EXPANSION
Through an unexpected, generous gift from Scott and Gail Matthews, we broke ground on another exciting project - a new granola kitchen, which will move us out of the converted three-car-garage where we have produced granola since 2009. This new commercial kitchen will allow us to double our capacity and provide additional jobs for the women in our program. Years ago, Scott and Gail were introduced to Blue Monarch through a single bag of granola, which was purchased at a Piggly Wiggly store in Monteagle by a friend before making a trip all the way to Texas where the couple resides. They have been huge fans of our granola ever since and appreciate the tremendous role this cottage business plays in raising awareness for our organization as well as teaching valuable job skills and providing income for the families we serve.
OUT OF THE BLUE GRANOLA
PREPARING BLUE MONARCH GRADUATES FOR THE WORKPLACE We don’t just provide on-site employment, job training, and resume building. We strive to prepare our graduates for future careers where they can perform with integrity and a strong sense of solid work ethics. In 2024, Out of the Blue helped to launch workers onto exciting new paths: Owner of small business Student in college to become history teacher Pharmacy tech Medical assistants (2) Manager of social enterprise
Granola with a purpose! Baked by hand using local, wildflower honey.
BROADENING AWARENESS
In 2024, we launched a campaign to increase awareness for Blue Monarch to broaden our support. This effort opened new doors for us while spreading the word of healing and restoration to many new listeners.
YOUVERSION BIBLE APP - Susan wrote a 7-day devotional about discovering the personality of God, “Making Eye Contact with God,” which has reached readers from over 30 countries around the world. NASHVILLE CHRISTIAN FAMILY MAGAZINE - Cover story about Blue Monarch’s mission to equip mothers to parent their children sober. LOCAL ON 2 - Television interview to raise awareness in Nashville and surrounding areas. TODAY IN NASHVILLE - Television interview emphasizing domestic violence awareness. RAPT INTERVIEWS - Creative and atypical question and answer interview with out of the ordinary questions for Susan. BRIDGES WITH MONICA SCHMELTER - Three television interviews including Susan and two Blue Monarch graduates. "FACES" article in Nashville's StyleBlueprint! An interview covering a broad range of Blue Monarch topics and history. GOOD MORNING OZARKS - Radio program out of Branson, MO. AUTHORITY MAGAZINE - Interview on the topic of finding joy in turbulent times. BOOK CLUB DISCUSSIONS - Multiple visits throughout the year with opportunities to discuss From My Front Row Seat with readers.
PODCASTS:
“Jesus Calling” “One Day at a Time” “Behind the Scenes with KJ”
“Pivotal People” “She Surrenders” “Groundtable” “Love Offering” Blog
Check out “Media with Susan” on the Blue Monarch website to access the above media appearances and interviews.
INTRODUCING ATTICUS
We lost our beloved Sam in 2024, which left a big hole in our hearts because he was such a special member of our family and had done a tremendous job of caring for and protecting our Blue Monarch family. Sam left some awfully big paws to fill, but Atticus jumped right in there and picked up where Sam left off. He immediately grew on us and fit right in from the day he arrived. Just like Sam, Atticus walks our kids to the bus stop, waits for them to come back home in the afternoons, offers a soft shoulder to cry on, patrols our property line all night long, and even oversees the construction crews on our new building projects. One might think Sam was coaching him all along.
It takes a pretty special dog to love and protect a family that is always changing.
OUR SUPERHERO VOLUNTEERS
We are so grateful for our incredible volunteers who give us their time and hearts!
In 2024, we had 279 volunteers who gave us 4,626 valuable hours along with their tremendous gifts and talents.
Blue Monarch Post Office Box 1207 Monteagle, Tennessee 37356
931.924.8900 www.bluemonarch.org info@bluemonarch.org
From My Front Row Seat a Collection of Stories by Susan Binkley
bluemonarch.org
2024
Michelle Barnett Photography
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