About

Raven Drum FoundationRaven Drum Foundation serves, educates, and empowers trauma survivors and communities in crisis, with a focus on Veterans and First Responders. By integrating advocacy, storytelling, music and arts programs and events, we bring the tools and experiences of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) to support and inspire mental health, resiliency, and unity.

Raven Drum Foundation’s approach was born from the idea that unconditional love and support is the most powerful healer and that each of us is responsible for our own health and soul growth through dark and challenging times.

We engage drumming as a tool for healing, allowing participants to use rhythm, mindfulness, and energy-medicine techniques as an avenue for connection, and supports complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) programs for trauma recovery.

As an organization, we serve, educate, and empower through:

  • promoting Veteran resiliency through CAM therapies,
  • drumming for healing at-risk populations,
  • and suicide prevention programs.

Over the past 20 years, some of our most significant and impactful work has been that focused on suicide prevention, for Veterans and others at risk.

The rate of Veteran suicide is 52 percent higher than the general population. In 2019, statistics indicate that there was an overall decrease in Veteran suicide. Though the numbers remain staggering, and we wait to get updated data, we are encouraged that programs and broader efforts seem to have begun to make a difference.

As a nonprofit, we are committed to being responsible and efficient stewards of your gifts. Raven Drum Foundation Financials.

Founders Rick Allen and Lauren MonroeRick Allen & Lauren Monroe

Rick Allen has been the drummer for Def Leppard since 1977 and, along with his bandmates, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2019. In 1984, Allen was involved in a car accident near his home in England and was thrown from his vehicle, his left arm severed. His band members stood behind him and convinced him to stay with the group. He constructed an electric drum set that was partially controlled by his feet. The band was beset with other setbacks over the years, but have persevered, a model of resiliency. Today, they continue to perform to sold-out venues and produce successful albums.

Although he received fame at an early age as a musician, Rick has always been passionate about photography and art. He has performed numerous one-man art shows and his works have been in high demand. All of his works are created with the passion that still motivates him. His Purple Heart series, for example, is inspired by the courage of injured service members.

He has been living in California for more than 30 years and resides with his singer-songwriter wife, Lauren Monroe, along with one of their two daughters.

Lauren is a healing-arts educator, musician, writer, and speaker using complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) modalities in her practices since 1992, and specializing in trauma recovery, PTSD, crisis care, and suicide prevention.

Together they live a life comprised of art, music, and philanthropy and founded Raven Drum Foundation in 2001. Their decades-long community outreach and healing events, empowering Veterans and others through music, has touched lives around the world.

Raven Drum Foundation
Board of Directors Roster
January 2023

President
Lauren Monroe

Vice President
John Roberts

Treasurer
Richard (Rick) Allen

Director/Artist Relations
Billy Amendola

Director
Larry Broughton

Director
Jason Kampf

Director
Karen Simonton

STAFF

Executive Director
Laurie Baker
laurie@ravendrumfoundation.org

Operations & Special Projects
Dale Barr
contact@laurenmonroe.com


Founders’ Message – Fall 2021 » Read Message