Sunday Conversation: Career change leads Cataldo to true passion – Shelbyville Times

Kate (formerly Suttles) Cataldo of Tullahoma made a decision to change her course of life when she began working for an organization called Blue Monarch, which serves women and their families who survive from alcohol and drug addiction, domestic violence and economic hardship.

Blue Monarch is located in Coffee County but serves women from all areas including Bedford County.

Cataldo, who formerly worked in a sales position which covered Bedford County, is passionate about her new calling and the interview that follows will reflect that passion, as well as provide a better glimpse into what Blue Monarch is all about.

If you would like to nominate someone for Sunday Conversation email sfowler@t-g.com.

Fowler: Many people in Bedford County will recognize you from your previous employment. Tell me what led to your change of career path?

Cataldo: In 2011 I started praying that I wanted to work with women in the prison system. I wanted to help women who struggled with addiction and share the love of Christ with them. Blue Monarch assists women and their children who are dealing with alcohol and drug addiction, domestic violence, and economic hardship.

They work to transform them in mind, body, and spirit. They provide a nurturing and therapeutic environment for individuals and families to achieve sobriety, enhance mother and child relationships, and build better life skills while promoting spiritual growth. When a job opened up there I knew it was a answer to my prayers.

Fowler: Blue Monarch has a mission to help mothers and their children get out of the clutches of abuse and addiction and back into mainstream society. Tell me the brief history of Blue Monarch. How it came to be and how long it has been in existence, and basic nuts and bolts of the program.

Cataldo: Susan Binkley founded Blue Monarch in 2003. Since then we have served over 500 women and children and over 200 children have reestablished relationships with their mothers. We are located on a beautiful 50 acre farm right here in southern Middle Tennessee.

Our mission is to break the cycle of abuse and addiction and rebuild the family. It is not enough to give women the tools they need to survive in main stream society. We have to break the cycle so that addiction and abuse are not learned behaviors passed down to their children.

A lot of the women we serve come from generations of abuse and addiction. Their own mothers were addicts, their grandparents and great grandparents were addicts. They have never seen what being a loving parent really looks like. That’s why our master level Christian counselor and masters level family and parenting coach are such a vital part of our program staff.

Blue Monarch offers a comprehensive curriculum to our residents. Some of the classes include self-esteem, anger management, love and logic parenting course, and RDAP (Residential Drug Abuse Program). We make sure every child that comes through our threshold get the RICHEST experience possible.

Our Proverbs 22:6 Children’s Program offers mentoring, tutoring, family counseling, one-on-one counseling, and much more. The families live on site and we can house 12 families, but that number typically depends on the number of children each mother has. One summer we had seven women and 27 children.

Blue Monarch is a free long-term, residential program. To qualify you have to be ready and committed to change.

Fowler: Tell me about your specific role there and what you find most rewarding about it.

Cataldo: We have a very small staff so we all wear different hats depending on what day it is. The most rewarding part is watching families grow and transform. To see women see the value in themselves, and watch hope arise in families that was previously lost.

Fowler: Can you give me an example (not naming names) of one of your favorite success stories?

Cataldo: One of our residents was born into a life of crime. Her parents were career criminals who specialized in illegal distribution of prescription pills. Seeds of turmoil, violence, and self -hate were sewn into her from birth.

Because of her dreadful upbringing she started using drugs with her mom at the age of 11. A few months later she was taken into state’s custody and spent the rest of her adolescence in foster care. She dropped out of high school and when she turned 18 she gave birth to a beautiful baby girl.

After that she found herself going to jail and serving a three-year sentence in a state facility. Her and her daughter have been at Blue Monarch since August. Since then, she has given birth to another beautiful baby girl. She also graduated with her high school equivalency diploma and her daughter, who could not even read when the school year began, graduated kindergarten as most improved student.

She will graduate from the program in September and plans to stay on campus in our transitional program and attend Motlow Community College.

Fowler: What else would you like to share about Blue Monarch?

Cataldo: I have found that a lot of people do not even know a program like Blue Monarch exists. There are not a lot of recovery homes that allow women to recover with their children and hardly any recovery programs that are free. It is important for the community to know this resource is available to them. There are so many things YOU can do to get involved. Visit bluemonarch.org and fill out a volunteer application to learn more. Monetary donations and paper product are always needed.

Fowler: While not there, how do you enjoy spending your spare time?

Cataldo: Anyone who knows me knows I love Jesus, dancing, teaching pre-school dance, and watching live music. My husband and I love spending time serving and worshipping the Lord at Gateway Church in Shelbyville. We enjoy attending concerts and listening to records.

Fowler: What is your favorite part about being out of the sales business?

Cataldo: Wearing heels!

Fowler: Tell me about your new husband, how you met and the big wedding.

Cataldo: Ezra and I met at a coffee shop. He was playing my favorite song written by the Avett Brothers. We went on our first date in August, he proposed in January, and we were married in April. I knew he was “the one” right away.

Fowler: What aspect of your relationship do you find most special?

Cataldo: Our relationship developed over a shared love and devotion to Jesus, and I cherish Ezra’s heart for The Lord.

Fowler: Tell me about your wedding and/or honeymoon.

Cataldo: Our honeymoon was wonderful. Celebration Travel did a fantastic job helping us plan a perfect cruise!

Fowler: If you could go anywhere alone for one week where would it be and why?

Cataldo: Alone for a week? I don’t know…. It would be somewhere were I could meet and hug a lot of people.

Fowler: If you could have any famous person over for dinner who would it be and what would you serve?

Cataldo: I love food so much so it would be hard to pick a favorite, but if I could have anybody over for dinner it would definitely be Francis Chan! I love his ministry and have learned so much from his books.

Fowler: Favorite book?

Cataldo: Purpose Driven Life

Fowler: Do you have a favorite phrase, motto or saying that you live by or to which you refer often?

Cataldo: “So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.” Galatians 6:9

Fowler: Thank you so much for all you do. Any thoughts in closing?

Cataldo: I love Bedford County. So many of you have pushed me, inspired me, and believed in me when I needed it most. You all hold a very special place in my heart.