To Grow a Life of Purpose: Season of Sharing and Nonprofit Help Local Man Rebuild His Life

Editor's Note: This story was originally published by the Herald-Tribune and comes from a partnership between the Sarasota Herald-Tribune and the Community Foundation of Sarasota County.

A few years ago, Charles Robinson stared at the gray walls of his prison cell and was convinced of one thing.

He would not be back in here again.

By then, in his early 60s, Charles had spent the better part of four decades wrestling addictions, in and out of places like this.

"I know if I go out on the streets again, there's no coming back," he thought. "I'm going to die out there."

If he had abided by his grandmother's advice years ago, he could have made something of his life, he told himself. But it wasn't too late, he believed. He'd need to find a job and a place to live.

A few years later – with the help of his grandmother's wisdom and a Sarasota nonprofit, plus a leg up from Season of Sharing – Charles has been able to break the cycle and find some peace with himself.

Read the full story on the Herald-Tribune.