Courtesy of Metro Creative Connection
Volunteers at One Man’s Treasure ask you to close your eyes and imagine walking out of state or federal prison. As the gates clink behind you, look down at the items you’ve received upon release — one used shirt, one pair of pants, one pair of shoes, $100 and a bus ticket. How do you begin to reenter society? Where will you find housing and a job? Who will give you a second chance?
One Man’s Treasure is a nonprofit founded in 2005 by Mary Carter, who volunteered in her church’s clothes closet and with Kairos Prison Ministry. She noticed that men were leaving prison with almost nothing to get back on their feet, so she began collecting clothing donations in her living room and distributing them — one man at a time.
Andrew Hamilton has been involved with the Kairos Prison Ministry for more than half his life, and he saw the impact it makes when men feel seen or acknowledged. He began volunteering with One Man’s Treasure, and he recently joined their board.
“I love this mission because it helps take care of our brothers,” he says. “For someone to respect them and listen to them and treat each one like a person — that’s a gift.”
Upon release, each person receives a full set of clothing in their size, including short- and long-sleeved shirts, pants, jeans, button down shirt with tie, shoes or work boots, new underwear, socks and seasonal items such as jackets or coats. The kit is hand-delivered by an “OMT Shepherd” who visits the client and speaks with them to give encouragement.
“I love that we call the men we serve ‘clients,’” Hamilton says. “I don’t think that anyone would say that being called an ‘inmate’ every day is fun. When I call someone a client, that gives them a great sense of dignity. Our clients are extremely grateful for the personalized set of clothing they receive, and they feel confident in what they are wearing.”
Incarcerated men living inside Texas prisons receive a clean pair of white elastic-waist pants and a white shirt two or three times per week. Though they are freshly laundered, they rarely fit. Because they long to have well-fitting clothes, many will keep back at least one nice set and wash those themselves.
“I believe the clothing we provide gives them a sense of dignity that is lost when you are in prison,” explains Hamilton. “Each set of clothes is hand-picked for each man based on his size, job prospects, goals and even his favorite colors to ensure that what he receives truly feels like his clothing, not some random, ill-fitting hand-me downs. You’d be amazed at how many of the men say, ‘anything but white!’”
Hamilton has been impressed by the dedication and generosity of donors at the annual gala and by golfers at the October golf tournament in Grapevine. The biggest challenge, he says, is awareness. Most potential donors — even many potential recipients — have never heard of One Man’s Treasure.
“It’s no mistake that part of our logo is a starfish,” he says. “You know the story. An old man is walking on the beach picking up starfish and throwing them back into the water. Another man comes along and asks, ‘Why are you doing this, there are thousands of starfish, and you can’t possibly make a difference.’ The man picks one up and throws it in the water. ‘Made a difference for that one.’ We can’t help everyone coming home from prison, but it makes a tremendous difference for the ones we do.”
You may contribute to OMT here. You may apply to become a recipient here. You (and/or your group) may volunteer here.
