CLARKTON — A musical program will be hosted by Clarkton Presbyterian Church on Sunday, May 6, at 4 p.m. and contributions will benefit the Matthew 25 Center of Tabor City.
The concert, organized by Randy Page, will feature musicians from Bladen and Columbus counties.
The Matthew 25 Center of Tabor City is a nonprofit organization created to provide housing for families of incarcerated men and women when they come to visit their loved ones. The name Matthew 25 is based on the scriptural reference in Matthew 25:40 — “… verily I say unto you, inasmuch as you have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, you have done unto me.”
Eight years ago, the state opened the doors to a prison in the small town of Tabor City. This prison was built to house up to 1,700 inmates. As this place came to life, some members of the community felt strongly about creating a safe space to bring hope and light to families of these prisoners. They realized that families of inmates are easily forgotten and they are the ones struggling financially and emotionally during an already difficult time.
After visiting the Matthew 25 Center in Burgaw, the team realized their vision to help families of the Tabor City inmates could become a reality. Two acres of land less than a mile from the Tabor City Correctional Facility was gifted by an individual and, today, a newly constructed facility sits on that property ready to serve families of incarcerated inmates.
Keeping family members connected brings hope and restoration individually and communally. According to the Department of Justice, research shows that inmates who remain in contact with their families are about 50-percent less likely to return to prison. Whether their sentence is eight or 18 months, a positive support system can change the future of the inmate, their family members and their community.