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WHAT WE DO
OUR SOLUTION
Advocates of Change
The driving passion of PEP manifests itself in a progressive nonprofit solution that is single-handedly changing the way private institutions and state governments view correctional facilities. This passion is based on the idea that prison inmates—especially former gang leaders, drug dealers and those with violent offenses—have a massive reservoir of untapped potential. Their latent potential once expressed itself in ill-legitimate business endeavors e.g., gang-related crime, drug dealing and violent crime. PEP seeks to redirect these men into legitimate enterprises, leveraging their proven entrepreneurial skill-sets to inspire an even deeper change. We accomplish this mission by linking top business and academic talent with program participants through an MBA-level curriculum, mentor relationships and straight-up entrepreneurial passion. With a recidivism rate of less than 5%, our in-prison success translates into societal re-entry triumph. When reformed felons are given the opportunity, appropriate training and a shot of hope, life transformation isn’t only possible, it’s actual—and it’s happening in PEP classrooms everyday. Reprogramming We’ve discovered that in order to incite lasting change in the lives of our participants, a holistic approach is paramount. In addition to a rigorous in-prison business program, we teach our overachieving underdogs essential life skills like moral decision-making, the importance of spiritual discipline, how to treat women and what employers look for when hiring. We believe empowering inmates to strive for total life transformation is the only answer for the problem of recidivism—it is the only answer period. Fraternity of Underdogs Prison makes “personal change” difficult. Gang leaders consider pursuing an education and following the rules as threats to their control. Self-improvement is especially tough for the youngsters. Think of crabs pulling each other back down in the bucket. PEP breaks this mold by providing a brotherhood of men who are all striving for the same goals. The men push each other to achieve and support one another when they struggle. They carry this brotherhood into the “free world,” thus creating a growing fraternity with every class. This fraternity works as a network of brothers who can instantly relate to one another. We did not require this “free world” brotherhood—they built it. We Are Family At our core, we are all one big PEP family serving our brothers with accountability—loving them with high expectations and a deep well of grace. From our executive mentors to our family liaisons, our entire program is committed to creating a family atmosphere for our staff, participants and their families. We are committed to our graduates for life. Our extended family includes our supporting cast of incredible volunteers and donors. Across the board we are providing ways for people to be involved in the exciting business of life transformation. By providing volunteer opportunities to executives, MBA students, churches and your average concerned citizen, we are creating a new ethos for prison volunteerism. The PEP family continues to grow and profound change continues to “wow” us every day. |
