Seeds for Life: A Collaborative Poem for MATCH Children Planting seeds of love for the vines of life Hope rising above struggles and strife (opening stanza from Seeds for Life) Mothers in the Mothers and Their Children (MATCH) program recently came together to create a “passing…

poem” titled Seeds for Life. Each woman added a single line, weaving a shared vision for their children’s futures. They later brought the poem to life by painting it onto canvas with care and creativity. Each canvas became a personal gift, carrying their love, imagination, and the dreams they hold close. “We were invited to draw inspiration from Dr. King’s ‘I Have a Dream’ speech,” one participant shared. “We used writing as a way to speak hope over our children.” The project became a gentle blend of creativity, reflection, and connection, a reminder of how words and art can help families stay close even when they are apart. MATCH, located at the North Carolina Correctional Institution for Women in Raleigh, supports the specific needs of incarcerated mothers and their children. After graduating from the 8-week parenting course, MATCH mothers qualify for extended monthly visitation with their children. Over 45 mothers and 80 children are currently in the MATCH program. In 2025, MATCH joined Arise Collective, and the benefits are now being extended to women after release through our reentry programs. Learn more about MATCH by visiting arise-collective.org/match