Wednesday, July 24, 2024–11:00 a.m.
-John Bailey, Rome News-Tribune-
This story is possible because of a news-sharing agreement with the Rome News-Tribune. More information can be found at northwestgeorgianews.com
A loss for opioid manufacturers means a win for Rome. The national settlement means healing and hope for local men seeking to rebuild their lives.
Using funds allocated from a national opioid settlement, the Rome City Commission approved a $150,000 grant for Brother’s Place, a home for men previously incarcerated or men battling addictions. The home will provide a launching pad from which the men can be empowered, educated and equipped to become valuable, contributing members of society.
The settlement funds are allowed to be used in a variety of ways, including law enforcement and addiction remediation. The city was awarded approximately $235,000 in that settlement, Rome City Manager Sammy Rich said, and this is the first of those funds to be allocated to a project.
Claudia Hamilton, and her husband, TK, have a passion for helping those who are in need of healing, and that passion led to them putting their own money into a vision — Brother’s Place.
The facility at 1709 Maple Ave., and the programs therein, are envisioned as filling the gap between a crisis sheltering facility and a place where men can find treatment and work to rebuild their lives.
Overcoming the trifecta of obstacles — transportation, employment and housing — to get back on your feet isn’t possible if you’re still dealing with a significant amount of trauma, Cynthia Hamilton said.
And there’s a stigma to that trauma, she said: men are supposed to just deal with it and keep going as if nothing is wrong. That’s not the case, the trauma is still there and affects them and everyone around them.
This is the place where men can come to heal and return to the world whole, she said.
City Commissioner Randy Quick brought the plan before the board and suggested using the city funds from the opioid settlement to get the program started.
“The reason I’m involved is because they need our help,” Quick said. “The outside has been remodeled and the inside we’re just getting started.”
Commissioners voted unanimously to allocate those funds to Brother’s Place.
The funds will allow them to complete the renovation of the inside of the building.
“We’re really glad they stepped in and saw the value of the project,” Hamilton said.
Up to this point, they’ve invested their own money in the project as well as tapping a significant amount of community help. The help they’ve received so far has come from some unlikely places — like the Floyd County Prison. Men working in the metal fabrication shop at the prison have used their skills to make metal beds, among other things, for Brother’s Place.
“That has been a really cool partnership,” she said, thanking those who have partnered with them to get the project off the ground. “We’re seeing men who have successful backgrounds in our county step up and want to help the men who don’t.”
When TK, the owner of Midian Roofing, needed help in his life there were churches who reached out to help. This project is one way to help pay back that kindness, Brother’s Place board member Dominick Pennachio with Midian Roofing told commissioners.
“TK Hamilton is a solid guy,” City Commissioner Wayne Robinson said, concerning the project. “He was in that state, and has brought himself to be a very honorable businessman and Christian.”
“The hope is that it will be a landing place for men who need to heal. We’ll accept men through another access point who have shown they’re willing to work to rebuild,” Hamilton said. “The program will be a 12 to 15 month, three phase program where they’ll be able to get on their feet and save a significant amount of money.”
For more information or to donate, visit BrothersPlace.org or contact [email protected].