North Carolina nonprofit working to reduce incarcerations kicks off nationwide tour in Raleigh

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — A North Carolina nonprofit is kicking off a nationwide tour to break a cycle of incarceration.

Cyril Prabhu, the founder of Proverbs226, said for 12 years the organization has supported children with incarcerated parents.

“When I see these children who have a mother or father in prison, I see myself in them,” said Prabhu.

Prabhu, who was born in India, said, “My mom was abandoned with a six-month-old baby … When I grew up, people asked me ‘What is your father doing?’ I’ve always lied about it because I never had a father.”

With support, Prabhu said he was able to receive an education and find himself on a positive path. He’s now a senior vice president at the Bank of America. However, about 30 years ago after coming to the US, a traumatic event changed his life.

“In 1993, I was taken down by gunpoint, locked up in a dark room for nearly 45 minutes, and somebody had a gun at my head. For nearly 45 minutes, I saw how close I was to the end of my life,” said Prabhu.

He said his life was spared and he wanted to go back home, but something made him stay.

“For me, something that was a misery for me at one point is now my ministry,” he said.

Through scholarships, mentorships, and working in prisons across North Carolina to help families heal, Prabhu said they’re helping steer younger generations away from walking a similar path. He said about 82 percent of children with an incarcerated parent will also end up in prison.

Since starting the nonprofit, Prabhu said Proverbs226 has been able to help more than 100 children go to college. With a new school that’s expected to open in August, he hopes they’ll be able to do more.

“This vision of investment is what this country needs, and I’m so happy that North Carolina saw this vision and gave us this to work with,” said Prabhu.

As part of the budget and House Bill 259, Prabhu said the state helped transfer a former prison in Anson County to the organization in 2023 for just $1. He said the 5 and 2 Trade School Our Mission (5and2tradeschool.net) is an 18-month program that will teach students 18 years and older vital skills to help them find success. Prabhu said the 26-acre site will offer five trades including digital arts, welding, farming, auto and culinary programs.

“It’s inspired by five loaves of bread and two fish. Starting that trade school is a portion of it, the other portion of it is to see that these kids actually graduate from school … to see these kids heal from the heartaches,” explained Prabhu.

Through an apprenticeship program, Prabhu said students are able to gain hands-on experience, earn money, and walk out without any debt.

“Today we have 17,000 children in the program. Twenty percent of those kids will do well without us doing anything. It’s the 80 percent that are falling off the radar screen that we want to save and bring into the trade school,” Prabhu said.

Friday evening at Living Word Family Church in Wake Forest, Prabhu met with other ministries, volunteers, and Department of Correction members. By sharing a film titled “Break the Cycle” and gathering in cities across the country, he’s hoping to spread awareness and share how others can help.

“We want to take that playbook and go across the country,” Prabhu said. “There are so many amazing people doing work in prisons, doing bible studies, Sunday morning services … we’re saying extend your program, help the families, and bring them together. That’s the whole purpose of this journey.”

Through the Breakthrough Tour, Prabhu said they hope to gain prayers and support. He said that support could help put a child on a better path.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX8 WGHP.