In a significant show of community solidarity and support, the Tullahoma Downtown Lions Club (TDLC) hosted Shakia Craig, Officer of Development and Community Relations with Blue Monarch, as their guest speaker at their meeting held at Lakewood Country Club at noon on Wednesday.

During the meeting, Craig highlighted the vital services Blue Monarch provides to homeless women and children, emphasizing the facility’s growth and impact. Originally starting with just three houses on 51 acres, Blue Monarch has expanded to 14 houses on over 100 acres.

“Blue Monarch takes people out of the darkness and into the light,” Craig explained. “We assist women and their children who are overcoming addiction, abuse, and economic hardship to transform in mind, body, and spirit. Our program focuses on the child’s recovery as much as the mom’s, providing hands-on coaching for mothers learning to parent their children sober. We believe destructive cycles can be broken, families can be healed, and freedom from addiction can be found through Christ.”

Since its inception in 2003, Blue Monarch has served nearly 1,000 women and children, with close to 350 children reunited with their mothers who had previously lost custody. This transformative work aligns with TDLC’s mission to support local charities and foster community ties.

TDLC President Steven “Paco” Prince expressed the club’s enthusiasm about partnering with Blue Monarch. “We are so proud to be a small part of the wonderful success stories coming out of Blue Monarch,” Prince remarked.

Both organizations emphasized the importance of volunteerism and civic engagement, aiming to harness collective efforts to implement sustainable solutions and create lasting positive change in the community. Ms. Craig extended an invitation for ongoing collaboration and mutual support between Blue Monarch and TDLC, stressing the importance of maintaining open communication and working towards shared goals.

The meeting concluded with TDLC presenting a $1,000 check to Blue Monarch, symbolizing the start of a new chapter of collaboration. As the community looks forward to another year of partnership, residents can anticipate enhanced services and initiatives that reflect the collective spirit of unity and compassion.