ORLANDO, Fla. — For Sharon Driver, it is all about paying it forward, spending a little bit of time helping people in need because she says someone helped her during one of the lowest points in her life.

Typically, on Mondays and Tuesdays, you can find her at the food pantry at Mount Sinai Missionary Baptist Church in Orlando.

What You Need To Know

  • Sharon Driver volunteers her time helping those in need. She says it is important to provide resources 

  • A returning citizen, Driver spent five years in prison for crimes bases on racketeering charges. She says while incarcerated she began to create the blueprint for her nonprofit organization S&D CDC, Inc., which aims to help other returning citizens get back on their feet

  • By way of 14 transitional housing units, Driver helps men and women slowly acclimate to life outside prison. She also helps them find jobs and provides educational resources

“There are so many people that we come in contact with that do not have food. They do not have clothing, and as a result of that, we are able to provide food for them and their families,” said her friend, Sharon Monroe.

“There are so many people out here that are hungry," Driver added. "So men and women come out of prison and they don’t have anything, and this is an opportunity for me to give back to the community that I live in.”

Driver is here pretty much every week, helping those who can’t help themselves and some of whom are returning to society for the first time after being incarcerated.

“Coming home, I know what it’s like to not have clothes and food, and I know what it’s like to not be received by my community also,” Driver said.

After being released from prison after serving time for crimes bases on racketeering charges, Driver said she struggled with getting her life back on track. But now, she’s found purpose through her own nonprofit, S&D Enterprises CDC Inc., and provides 14 transitional housing units.

Volunteer and Administrative Director for S&D Gina Delponte helps Driver help others find their footing after being incarcerated.

“We provide them with food, with clothing. We help them with employment job skills, resume writing," Delponte said. "We also partner with CareerSource, so we work hand in hand with CareerSource to help these people find a career.”

Since she knows helping others is what matters most to Driver, Monroe said she reached out for her help with weekly food distributions.

“I needed volunteers who were willing to come in and serve with a servant heart and with compassion and love for the community, and Sharon brought that to this ministry,” Monroe said.

Driver said she will keep on helping people by volunteering and through her nonprofit, giving others a second chance and a new start.

“Being here and helping people that really need this, that’s all I need to sleep good at night,” Driver said.

If you know of someone who goes above and beyond serving their community, click here to nominate to be our next Everyday Hero.