Today we’d like to introduce you to Tom Dooley.
Tom, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
That’s an interesting question. When I first retired, I thought I wanted to focus my time on issues like homelessness or childhood education in Dallas. I volunteered with several organizations in those areas, but I struggled to see measurable progress and began to question how I could truly make a meaningful difference.
Through another nonprofit, I was eventually introduced to One Man’s Treasure, and I was immediately drawn to the tangible impact of its work. Helping formerly incarcerated men had never been on my philanthropic radar — or on many others’, for that matter — but once I learned more, I was hooked. When I discovered that the national recidivism rate — the percentage of people who return to prison within three years — is approximately 60%, while the men we serve have a rate of just 9.5%, I knew I had found something extraordinary.
The idea that something as simple as providing clothing — combined with a message of love, dignity, and hope — could so profoundly change a man’s future still amazes me. Since its founding, One Man’s Treasure has served more than 26,000 men returning to North Texas from prison, and we expect to help more than 3,000 men this year alone. Being part of that transformation has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
First and foremost, I love what I do. In the philanthropic world, there are countless worthwhile causes to support. Many of them naturally tug at our hearts — homelessness, children with cancer, veterans, animals — and then there are men being released from prison.
All of these causes matter, but the impact we make in the lives of men re-entering society after incarceration is truly dramatic. Crime is not an “it happens over there” problem. It exists in every neighborhood, across every race and every economic group. These men broke the law, they paid the price with time in prison, and now they are trying to re-enter a society that, for many of them, has changed significantly since they were incarcerated. I have yet to meet a single one of our clients who wants to return to prison.
The work that One Man’s Treasure does is foundational. Before these men can go on a job interview, attend a church, or be reintroduced to family and friends, they must first regain the dignity and self-respect that were stripped away when they put on a white prison attire.
Fundraising is the lifeblood of any nonprofit, and it is no different for us. Monthly donors are especially important because their consistent support allows us to plan responsibly and serve men steadily throughout the year. Many of our most reliable supporters give as little as $25 a month, and those gifts, taken together, have an extraordinary impact. We are also deeply grateful for larger donations, which are critical to expanding our reach, meeting surges in demand, and investing in the long-term sustainability of our mission.
In addition to financial support, community involvement plays a vital role in what we do. Clothing drives — particularly for men’s shoes and blue jeans, which are always in short supply — make a tangible difference. While we rely heavily on donated clothing, we serve men up to size 7X, sizes that are rarely donated. We also provide every client with new socks and underwear, which must be purchased. These seemingly simple items are essential to restoring dignity and helping men take their next steps forward with confidence.
Every donation, whether financial or in the form of clothing, directly impacts a man at a critical turning point in his life. That collective generosity is what makes our work possible. Anyone interested in learning more or getting involved can visit us at www.onemanstr.org
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Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m retired now, after spending my career with a healthcare company that took me around the world. One lesson that stayed with me everywhere I went is that compassion looks the same in every culture — people want to help when they see a real need.
As Board President of One Man’s Treasure, I’m very much in the trenches. I regularly pick up donated clothing from neighbors — people cleaning out closets, spouses quietly making space in a wardrobe, or widows thoughtfully passing along their loved ones’ clothes. I spend time with our board members one-on-one, helping each person find where they can contribute most effectively and stay engaged in the work.
I work side by side with our Executive Director on the daily realities of running the organization — from operations and problem-solving to building partnerships and planning for growth. And like anyone deeply involved in nonprofit work, fundraising is a constant part of my role. It’s not glamorous, but it’s essential, and I’m proud to help bring in the support that allows us to serve more men and change more lives.
If you want it even more tactile (loading clothes, being on distribution days, interacting directly with clients), I can take it one step further.
Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
I grew up in a time when our moms fed us breakfast, sent us outside, and trusted us to wander, play, and try not to get hurt until we knew it was close to dinnertime and headed home. The world was different then, but in many ways it allowed kids to simply be kids — curious, independent, and largely unsupervised.
Church was also a regular and important part of my childhood. Beyond the routine, it taught lessons that stayed with me — humility, compassion, and the responsibility to care for others, especially those who were struggling. Those values were reinforced not just in sermons, but in how people treated one another and showed up for their community.
Looking back, that combination of freedom and grounding shaped who I am today. It gave me a deep appreciation for empathy, service, and the importance of meeting people where they are.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.onemanstr.org
- Instagram: onemanstr
- Facebook: One Man’s Treasure
