Helping dreams take flight is the motto of Monarch in Aberdeen, and they will have the chance to do just that by effecting more lives than before. Monarch was selected by and will continue the work of Pinetree Community Services. Thanks to the new ownership and merger, the center in Hamlet will remain open.

The facility will continue to provide services to several families and individuals that were previously supported by the Pinetree Community Services in the following counties: Moore, Hoke, Richmond, Anson, Lee, Montgomery and Cumberland.

“We are an ethical and honest provider of health services and support for the people,” said CEO of Monarch Dr. Peggy S. Terhune. “When we consider taking on a company, we have to feel as if they match our values, if they don’t, then we turn them down.”

Monarch provides support and offer resources to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, mental illness and substance abuse issues throughout North Carolina.

The closing of the other facilities will move 370 individuals and 175 of the Pinetree staff. The facility will put together all its case loads to providers to meet the needs of their clients.

“We are very happy that we could hire most of the staff from Pinetree,” Terhune said.

Two members of the Board of Directors from Pinetree will now be on the Board of Directors staff at Monarch. They are Paul Johnson and Derek Pszenny.

“Everyone is excited about the merger with Monarch,” Johnson said. “We have been working on it for some time. We are extremely pleased that this could happen.”

Monarch will be responsible for the operation and management of the following areas: behavioral health, intensive in-home, community support team, mental health case management, residential living and work placement.

Monarch provides services in 55 counties across North Carolina, supporting more than 3,400 people.

“Our plan is to earmark anything that the residents and patients of Pinetree are used to. The funds that were raised for them will still go towards them even with the change of ownership,” Terhune said.

Monarch is a non-profit organization and is an affiliated chapter of The Arc of North Carolina and The Arc of the United States, and the sixth Continental Automated Building Associations (CABA) to be approved.

“Not too many changes will be made within this merger,” Johnson said. “It’s allowing us to make things even better. We will continue to grow in what we do and what we provide.”

“Our next goal is looking and seeing if Richmond County needs any additional support,” Terhune said.

“This is an expansion of our resources and exposure, and should put us in front of opportunities,” Johnson said. “We will enhance the level of services that we provide and potentially grow and expand on those.”

For more information of Monarch, call 1-800-230-7525 or visit their Web site at www.MonarchNC.org.

Hollie Nivens can be reached at (910) 997-3111 ext. 19 or by e-mailing at hnivens@yourdailyjournal.com