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Bill Clinton’s recent appearance at a groundbreaking ceremony in Brooklyn was marked by a visible frailty and difficulty in speech. The 79-year-old former president attended the event on Wednesday morning to support the development of an $18 million men’s addiction treatment center.
Held in Crown Heights, the ceremony celebrated the expansion of Anchor House Men’s Addiction Rehabilitation Facility, a faith-based initiative that holds personal significance for Clinton. Local officials and community members joined him for the occasion.
Clinton took the opportunity to reflect on his family’s own battles with addiction, speaking softly and with evident strain. He recounted the struggles faced by his brother, who has battled substance abuse for nearly five decades.
“I have a brother I’m very proud of who was in rehab four times, was in prison for 14 months, and was very near death after battling it for 50 years, almost,” Clinton shared, his voice revealing both emotion and vulnerability.
He continued, “And just when it seemed that all of our time had gone out, he decided he wanted to live. And there were people there who wanted to help him stay alive.” Clinton proudly noted that his brother has since achieved sobriety, describing it as “a bigger achievement than anything I ever did.”
“We should thank the people who are involved in this work, we should say thank you,” Clinton declared, quipping that he’s needed plenty of second chances – especially as the oldest person in the room.
“So this is a place of second chances.”
The expanded Bergen Street facility, designed by Urban Architects, will add 10,800 square-feet to boost capacity to 70 beds, with upgraded rooms and new shared spaces for treatment, mental health care and family support services, according to Anchor House.
The building will also include a courtyard and oversized windows to flood the treatment floors with natural light.
“Today, we stand on sacred ground, not simply to break soil but to disrupt cycles, not simply to build but to restore, not simply to expand the facility, but to expand hope, healing and the future of recovery in Brooklyn, because the crisis before us is not abstract,” Anchor House executive director Alison King said.
“It’s urgent, it’s local, and it’s deeply human.”