11/4/2015 1 Comment a second chanceAt first glance, Patrick Robinson might appear to be a little rough around the edges. He has broad shoulders and a body full of tattoos, but he happens to be one of the sweetest guys I have ever met. As we sat outside of his grandmother’s house, in the shade of course, Robinson told me his story. Robinson grew up on the north side of Jacksonville with an older brother and a caring mom who worked hard. At age 17, he was sentenced to seven years in prison. He served most of his sentence at a facility in Trenton, Florida. Now, at age 25, Five months has passed since his release and he has not stopped smiling since. He loves having the freedom to do whatever he pleases. During the day, he goes to class, does 1,000 push-ups, and spends time with his grandmother, Eartha Grissett. Grissett is so grateful to see her grandson in a whole new light. Since Robinson’s release, he has definitely has matured said Grissett. “Patrick has changed. He’s helpful. I just think that he has a bright future ahead of him because he is determined,” said Grissett. According to Robinson, adjusting to a normal life after incarceration is very difficult. Once people discover that he has a record, he is labeled as a criminal for the rest of his life. Therefore, searching for a job can be tough. “It’s hard to find a job. It’s hard to be trusted. You’re criticized and you’re labeled,” said Robinson. However, the Clara White Mission, a local soup kitchen and multi-faceted help center, gave Patrick a second chance at life. The mission provides job-training programs for ex-offenders who find it hard to get back on their feet. According to CEO/President, of the Clara White Mission, Ju’Coby Pittman, Clara White benefits the community by lifting people out of their unfortunate situations. The non-profit organization customizes job-training programs to fit the needs of each individual student. “The Clara Mission today still exists as a safety net for the low-income people, ex-offenders, and the homeless,” said Pittman. Robinson joined the Culinary Arts Program shortly after his release. He developed his love for cooking a few years ago. He believes that he was given a second chance to be a productive member in society. What I found the most interesting was how Robinson is adapting to technological advancements. In his opinion, technology looks a lot better. There is a possibility that Robinson might have lagged behind with, but he says that he is adjusting just fine. “I feel good about it. It’s not too fast for me. I caught up with the speed,” said Robinson. I was also intrigued by Robinson’s tattoos. His favorite tattoo is the one of his mother. After her death from sickle cell disease in 2008, Robinson recreated the Rest In Peace tee shirt from his mother’s funeral on his back. “I got some tattoos when I was younger. But as I aged and got older, I have a life story behind them,” said Robinson. Robinson said that Prison is not a place for people to spend the rest of their lives. If he could give some advice to his seventeen-year-old self, or help prevent someone else from going down the same road, he would say this. “Slow down. Get a hold of yourself, and choose your friends wisely. You know, they say it’s never too late. But I’m a firm believer that it can be too late.” So what’s next for Robinson? Robinson will be graduating soon from the Clara White Mission’s job training program. Shortly after, he will get a job as a cook at a local food company. His long-term goal is to own a food truck that will serve eclectic foods. From soul food to Italian food, he plans to start a family tradition and build an empire. “My grandma put her bunions in everything she cooks. It’ll be exotic,” says Robinson.
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