September 9, 2025 •Ann Daugherty
Lawrence Elton Leach, born September 27, 1923, died February 25, 1960.
Editor's Note: The late Ann Daugherty, founder of Tara Treatment Center, published "One Dream - A Thousand Miracles," which shared the story of her vision and the remarkable start of the addiction recovery center. We are pleased to present the chapters of the book as part of our 40th Anniversary of helping people survive and thrive. We invite you to read Ann's words and draw inspiration from them.
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Tara’s origin is a legend of tragedy, dreams and hope. I have written this story in response to the many who have asked, “How did Tara start?” Simply put, Tara was the product of a great tragedy.
Fortunately, from adversity comes grace.
When I was in my 20s, I experienced leaving my alcoholic brother, Elton, at a Detoxification Center for alcoholism. I still recall how terribly dark and dreary the center was.
It only took two days (of a seven-day program) before he called and asked me to come and get him, which I reluctantly did. Even through all my years, I have never forgotten that dreary dark place. Unfortunately, soon after leaving treatment in 1960, he died of a fatal combination of alcohol and sleeping pills.
A Navy man, Elton served his country for eight years, including time served in World War II. I’ll never forget how handsome he was in his Navy uniform.
He once told me that he feared being buried at sea. Looking back, I am at least able to find some degree of comfort that his prayer was heard and God allowed him to die in his own bed.
It took years for me to come to terms with losing him, since he was my only brother. I had three sisters, but my brother always held a special place in my heart. Somewhere deep in all my pain and loss was the emerging seed of Tara.
In July of 1985, twenty-five years after the death of my brother, my dream of a treatment center became a reality. It happened with my unexpected ownership of a huge Southern-style home, whose history both intrigued and fascinated me.
Ann's Story.
Ann Daugherty knew firsthand how alcoholism and drug addiction could affect the lives of families and loved ones.
Her personal pain as a result of her brother’s death at 36 from alcoholism inspired her to help others.
Ann worked for several years as a master’s level psychiatric nurse and therapist, specializing in the field of addiction for most of her career. Through her prior employment, she became aware of a grant available for the treatment of women with addictions.
She researched and wrote a grant proposal to open the original eight-bed Residential Program. A location for the facility was not an obstacle for her, as she had a history of opening her home to those in need. Her efforts were rewarded in July 1985, with funding for Tara.
Throughout the years, Ann recognized the multiple needs of individuals served, which resulted in program and facility expansion. In July, 1996 Tara became a Managed Care Provider offering a full continuum of services for men and women.
Although diagnosed with Stage IV Colon Cancer in 2003, she remained the Chief Executive Officer until July 2006. At that time she presented her eldest daughter, Theresa Matthews, to the Board of Directors as her successor, noting that she had worked closely with her since Tara’s inception. Ann's fight ended August 25, 2008. Her mission and vision have been embraced by many and still continue today.