Park Cities People first wrote about Andrew Hamilton in 2019, when the Highland Park High School graduate began using recycled wood from demolished HPISD elementary schools to create remarkable, unique pens.
Seven years later, Hamilton is still breathing new life into used items, and in doing so he’s helping give people a second chance as well.
Hamilton is contributing to his community as a member of the board of directors of One Man’s Treasure, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides formerly incarcerated men with clothing as they reenter society in the Dallas area.
Hamilton was already familiar with and inspired by the nonprofit when he joined its board in December. One Man’s Treasure doesn’t just provide formerly incarcerated men with a personalized set of clothing, he explained. It recognizes them as human beings.
“People in prison have 99% of their decisions made for them every day,” Hamilton said. “When they get out, we want to make them feel acknowledged and heard. I don’t think a lot of people consider people in prison unless they have a loved one there, so they’re just kind of forgotten members of society.”
One Man’s Treasure states that its mission is to “disrupt the cycle of recidivism by empowering men during reentry.”
Clothing may seem like a small piece of that puzzle, but it’s a way to help these men reclaim their individuality and feel like a part of the world again. Volunteers create a custom wardrobe, then a male volunteer, called a “Shepherd” by the organization, delivers the clothing, along with a hand-written message of hope and resource guide, to the formerly-incarcerated individual.
The clothing reflects the man’s individual style and includes everything from underwear and a coat to the button-down shirt and tie he’ll need to be successful at job interviews.
The new, personalized items are a far cry from the white clothing men wear in Texas prisons, Hamilton said. A recently released friend told him that when incarcerated men get a set of clothing that’s both clean and fits, they’ll even wash the precious items themselves to keep them looking white.
“You can imagine walking around in stuff that doesn’t even fit,” Hamilton added. “Having to hold up your pants isn’t very dignifying.”
The combination of garments selected with care, messages of support, and help finding jobs, housing and healthcare seems to be working. One Man’s Treasure clients have a 9.5% recidivism rate, as opposed to rates of between 21% and 44% in Texas, according to the nonprofit’s website.
“I love this work because it helps take care of our brothers,” Hamilton said. “It’s been very special to be involved with, and it’s rewarding to be able to give back and encourage these men as they come home.”
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