September 6, 2025 •Ann Daugherty
Tara Center’s grand opening and ribbon-cutting in July 1985. Far left: my mother, me, my husband Jim James who was standing next to Joe Mills, and Jill Eikenbary, who helped write the grant. Far right: board member Ed Pannell and his wife..
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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In July 1985, Tara was ready to admit clients. It only took a week before our facility was full! Of the eight beds available, seven were alcoholics and one was addicted to cocaine. When our clients and family members came through the front door, they told us that they could feel the charm of the house. They could feel an aura of softness, a spiritual feeling.
Looking back at the dark and dreary detox center where I had left my brother, I wanted Tara to be a haven for hope. When you enter Tara’s front door, there is a beautiful, bright chandelier to light the way. Since I believe that many alcoholics and drug addicts have already lost much of their inner light, I wanted things to be bright, welcoming, attractive, and pleasant. I have seen other treatment centers that lacked nurturing environments. It was my goal that Tara would be different.
I hope that people can understand how important it was that I established a loving atmosphere for me, my staff, and our clients. I loved that house and its warm, sun-filled porch. I even cherished the struggle to purchase, refurbish, and create a setting of quality care and professionalism.
When thinking back to the beginning of Tara, one of our first clients stands out in my mind. She was an African-American woman from the inner-city. She entered into our country life and told us that she had never seen a chicken or farm animals before. Upon completion of her treatment, she was able to maintain her sobriety. Through her gift of recovery, she was able to spend many years helping others by working in a shelter for battered women.
My husband at the time, Jim, was a talented and artistic photographer. He captured a unique photo of the woman’s slim, beautiful black hand next to my mother’s withered and toiled hand. It was an exquisite contrast of age, ethnicity, simplicity, and beauty.
The photo remains a wordless story within itself. Years later, the woman came to visit and asked about the photo. We found the picture, then enlarged and framed it. To this day, that photo hangs on my office wall and gives me a glow when I look upon it. Perhaps those hands remind me of the toil and contrasts in my life, such as building Tara, the people that have come and gone, the obstacles faced, and the endless opportunities.
Next: Those I Met Along the Way
Previous: Realization of a Dream
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.