September 7, 2025 •Ann Daugherty
This picture was taken in 1979. It had been remodeled and used as a funeral home before I purchased it.
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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It was January of 1985, when the concept of a treatment center was forming in my mind. At that time, I was working at a local mental health center in a job that I loved. However, after a co-worker became very abusive, I found myself in a dilemma. When my supervisor at the time refused to intervene on my behalf, I was forced to leave.
With my nursing background, I had a solid foundation for helping others. As a result of losing loved ones to alcoholism, including my brother, I was also keenly aware of the painful realities of the disease. I felt a strong desire to give others the opportunity to get better.
While I was working in the mental health center, I became aware of a federal grant to provide treatment specifically for women who suffered from alcoholism. I contacted the Indiana Department of Mental Health Division of Addiction Services and asked to speak with somebody about applying. I asked them, “What do I need to get the grant?”, and they gave me a list of the requirements. Next, I was able to identify a group of five or six interested and qualified people who I knew cared about issues around addiction. This group became the foundation for the facility as Tara’s Board of Directors. My attorney was a good legal mind and personal friend who had consistently given me good advice in the past. After speaking with him, he was able to apply for the needed non-profit status and helped me establish policies and procedures necessary for approval by the federal government.
In the midst of all this, one federal government official contacted me with a concern about having a treatment center in a home. I explained to her that this was not any home, but a grand-old remodeled farmhouse comprising some 10,000 square feet of living space on thirteen acres. She seemed to accept this explanation. We received our not-for-profit, 501(c)(3) status. Tara was then on its way to becoming home to thousands who needed help in changing their lives.
Having limited experience in writing grants, a woman within the state, Jill Eikenbary, assisted me in writing the needed grant. I learned a great deal from working with her. An example of this came shortly after I presented the grant to her. She noted that I had not requested money for a secretary. She asked, “Who will answer the telephone and make appointments, etc.?” I replied, “Oh, I can do that.” I guess at that time, I thought that I could do everything. I was thankful for her suggestion and made budget revisions to include a salary for a secretary.
Without knowing if I would be awarded the grant, I put together a financial statement of what I owned and what I owed. I met with several loan officers from different banks. One loan officer said no, stating that my income ratio compared to my financial obligation was too big a stretch. The sad part is that he was right. On paper, it seemed fiscally impossible. Fortunately, another loan officer with whom I had worked for years recognized my determination and gave me the loan.
The loan was needed to get the project started, since remodeling was needed to bring the basement up to par with building code guidelines. Along with the cost of remodeling, there were many other expenses, none of which were frivolous. Things such as a new phone system, a van to transport clients, household furnishings, and kitchen equipment were all needed before the facility was commercially acceptable and existing codes were met.
During the time that I was getting the physical structure ready, I had no income. A set of serendipitous circumstances would provide for our living expenses. One day, in the midst of wondering and worrying, a man knocked at our door. He had the prettiest little blonde girl that I had ever seen. She was approximately five years of age. He had believed that he had come to a boarding home. He was new in town and said that their new home was not ready and needed a place for himself, his wife and child for a few months. We made some minor adjustments in our living quarters and took them in. Another man came, who had no residence and needed a place to stay. The rent money was just one of my miracles.
What amazes me to this day is that out of all of the financial chaos, there was never a late payment. When I look back at the debt and monthly payments, it amazes me that we had the ability to pay these bills. Once again, I am reminded about the warmth of God-given strength to forge onward, no matter what.
Establishing Tara into a treatment center was a natural follow-through for me. I was a registered nurse with a Master's degree in psychiatry and a clinical specialist. Despite this, it has always been my belief that seeking a formal education does not change the basis of who they are as people. I believe that education increases an individual’s skills and lends credibility to their work, but the most important characteristic of helping others is a compassionate heart.
Next: The Opening of the Doors
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.