HPHS grad Andrew Hamilton helps outfit men for a fresh start after prison

Park Cities readers may remember Andrew Hamilton as the Highland Park High School graduate who, in 2019, began turning recycled wood from demolished HPISD elementary schools into one-of-a-kind pens. Seven years later, People Newspapers reports, he's still giving used things new life. Now he's also helping people get a second chance.

Hamilton joined the board of directors of One Man's Treasure in December. The 501(c)(3) nonprofit gives clothing to formerly incarcerated men as they return to the Dallas area. The group says its mission is to "disrupt the cycle of recidivism by empowering men during reentry." According to the Advocate, Mary Carter founded the nonprofit in 2005 after volunteering in her church's clothes closet and with Kairos Prison Ministry. She started by collecting donations in her living room.

Hamilton has been part of Kairos Prison Ministry for more than half his life, the Advocate reports. He volunteered with One Man's Treasure before joining its board. He told People Newspapers that the clothes are only part of the work. The bigger goal is helping the men feel seen. "People in prison have 99% of their decisions made for them every day," he said. "When they get out, we want to make them feel acknowledged and heard."

Volunteers put together a wardrobe for each man in his size. The Advocate says it can include dress shirts and a tie, pants and jeans, shoes or work boots, new underwear and socks, and coats when the weather calls for them. A male volunteer the group calls a "Shepherd" delivers the clothes along with a handwritten message of hope. Shepherds also talk with each man to encourage him. Hamilton told the Advocate he values that the organization calls the men it serves "clients," which he said gives them a sense of dignity.

This story is based on original reporting by Maddie Spera for People Newspapers (Park Cities People), with additional details from the Advocate.