From our Founder For most of 2023, I walked around feeling like the girl on the cover. I could hardly believe it was our 20th year and was completely overwhelmed with gratitude for the hundreds of miracles I had seen over that time. The entire year was a time of celebration, but it was also a humbling reminder of the many milestones that have developed the powerful recovery program we have today and all the many people who helped to make them happen. Wow! What a journey! The miracles are too numerous to count and the number of families impacted, just as staggering. As I look over this annual report for 2023, it reminds me of social media in that it accurately displays our happy, beautiful moments but what you do not see are all the tears and painful struggles our moms endure. Nowhere does it illustrate the angry screams and crying from our children who are still hurting from severe trauma for which they need to heal. And it definitely does not show you our hardworking staff huddled in my office pouring their hearts into a treatment plan for each woman and child between earnest prayers for every individual we serve. 2023 was a year I will never forget because it was such a vivid illustration of the painful experiences our children endured before crossing our threshold with their mothers. If I shared the details you would think I was making them up because the stories are so horrific. This upward trend is heartbreaking and seems to have been on a steady climb over the past couple of years. All this may sound disheartening, but I am pleased to say as an organization we are making a difference. We have steadily met the needs of the children we serve, we have reached out in every direction to find every resource we could, we have become trauma informed through additional training, and we have actively made sure our state government officials know we have a problem that needs to be addressed on a broader scale before it becomes an even bigger problem. For twenty years I have known Blue Monarch offers a priceless opportunity for every family we serve. But I am more convinced of that than ever. Our program is robust in all aspects and it addresses every need for each individual family. Our program may be the best chance our families ever have to heal and change their family trees. If you are receiving this annual report, you are likely a part of the amazing miracles we see here daily. Is it easy? Absolutely not. Is it worth it? Without a doubt. I often say, the frustrations outnumber the rewards – but the rewards always outweigh the struggles and frustrations. And there is never a day when I don’t believe I am part of something that is down right amazing. I hope you feel the same.
SUSAN BINKLEY FOUNDER, PRESIDENT
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