Speaker Friday, April 12, 2024
The Holistic Approach of “Our Father’s House” Rebuilding Families
The Green Hills Rotary Club is pleased to invite all members to an insightful meeting on Wednesday, April 12th at 7:15 AM. In addition to valuable networking opportunities, attendees will have the privilege of hearing from a distinguished guest speaker, Mr. Thomas Gooch.
Thomas Gooch is the Founder and Executive Director of “My Father’s House,” a recovery housing program for men seeking to become more involved in their children’s lives after experiencing homelessness or incarceration. As a person living in long-term recovery, Gooch is a tireless advocate, working to ensure others have the opportunity to reach their full potential.
Mr. Gooch brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the table. Over the past two decades, he has dedicated his career to delivering critical services to individuals struggling with substance abuse. Gooch was one of the pioneering figures in Tennessee to provide outreach, education, and Narcan to active drug users. Furthermore, he managed the state’s first underground syringe exchange program for nearly ten years.
Gooch’s advocacy work with the state government was instrumental in legalizing and securing funding for syringe exchange programs in Tennessee. Additionally, he has provided training and consultation to programs seeking to serve African American and Latin communities across the southeastern United States and the US Virgin Islands.
Currently, Gooch serves as the Outreach Ambassador for Meharry Medical College’s Department of Family Medicine’s Addiction Clinic. In this role, he oversees a comprehensive system of outreach services designed to meet the complex needs of active substance users at risk for HIV and other health issues.
This meeting presents a unique chance to learn from Gooch’s extensive experience and gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and initiatives surrounding substance abuse in our community. We encourage all Green Hills Rotary Club members to attend and come prepared to engage, network, and expand their horizons.!
Our Current Speaker Schedule
Recent and Future Speakers
| 3/28/25 | Darbi Bolton, Owner, Stay Local Nashville — How to Invest in AirBNB Property | ||
| 4/4/25 | Dean Wegner, Founder & CEO of Authentically American — Inspiration & Lessons learned from a West Point Cadet and Veteran Entrepreneur | ||
| 4/11/25 | Adolpho Birch III — Chief External & League Affairs Officer | Tennessee Titans | ||
| 4/18/25 | No Meeting | ||
| 4/25/25 | The New Nashville Banner — Demetria Kalodimos and Steve Cavendish | ||
| 5/2/25 | John Drake — Nashville Police Chief | ||
| 5/9/25 | Patrick Sheehan Director, TN Emergency Managment Agency — How TEMA prepares and activates for increasing weather emergencies | ||
| 5/16/25 | Andrew Maraniss, New York Times Best Selling Author — Author of Strong Inside (Perry Wallace); Games of Deception; Singled out; and Inaugural Ballers |