Congratulations Class 13 Grads!

On June 10th and 11th‚ Class 13 welcomed more than 50 executive judges and volunteers from around the country to the Cleveland Unit to judge the Business Plan Competition. For two days‚ executives evaluated business plans‚ and made tough decisions about where to invest their BPC dollars. On Friday evening‚ families and friends of Class 13 joined PEP CEO Bert Smith and the PEP staff for the official graduation ceremony. 66 participants of Class 13 proudly walked across the stage to receive their diplomas. For many of our graduates‚ this was their first graduation ever.

To see photos of this phenomenally inspiring event‚ click here.

Welcome to Caleb House!

We’re excited to announce that in early June PEP acquired a transitional home in Houston. Caleb House‚ as the duplex will be called‚ is the perfect addition to our post–release services for our released graduates.

In the two short weeks since the acquisition‚ the house has been painted inside and out‚ new carpet has been laid and new ceiling fans are being installed, as well as new appliances which were delivered today. Checks are arriving‚ email messages are being received with pledges of support‚ used items have been donated and we have received several items for the house from our Special Days gift registry at Kohl’s Department Stores. Additionally‚ a Houston–based oilfield services company donated beds for the entire house‚ including mattresses!

PEP executive volunteers have committed more than $12‚000 in cash donations and to date we’ve received more than $5‚000 of these finds proving once again that PEP has remarkably generous volunteers. Our dedicated staff has invested a great deal of personal time and energy to turn this house into a home and we’re excited to welcome released graduates once the house is ready.

We are still in need of items for the house – a leather sofa and love seat (new or gently used)‚ coffee tables‚ occasional tables and kitchen table and chair sets.

Also‚ there are a number of items remaining the Kohl’s Gift Registry that has been created for the house. The Gift Registry is under the Special Days tab on Kohl’s website. Our Registry Number is 1370627.

PEP will be hosting a house-warming party this Sunday, June 27th from 2–5pm at the Caleb House, and we invite you to join us! For more information about the house-warming, please call Kristie Wisniewski at 281-705-2996.

This is an exciting time for our program and a great undertaking for PEP‚ we are grateful for your continued support and enthusiasm for this program!

Reflections from an Executive

"I had planned to attend for one day only, but after the first day I had to return for graduation. In just 8 short hours on the first day I connected with a small group of men that were sincere about their interest in learning and preparing themselves for life on the outside after release from prison.

The men stunned me with their grasp of business principles that obviously did not come from their activities which led to their incarceration. Each and every one of the men which presented to our panel of judges was very well prepared and sincerely accepted constructive criticism and guidance. In addition to the men that presented to my panel‚ I met and talked to numerous others. Their manners‚ their speech and their positive attitude were very professional I was often wondering if I was really at a prison for convicted felons.

From a personal standpoint this was such a huge "feel good experience" for me because the men constantly offered their thanks and showed true appreciation for sharing my time’ talents and sincere interest in them as a person. If anyone wants to give back‚ I can guarantee this will be unlike anything you have ever done before and you will NOT be disappointed."
– Phil Rundle‚ Executive Volunteer

Class 14 Preparing for Kick–Off

Class 14 participants are making their way to the Cleveland Unit from around the state of Texas and we’re thrilled to have them! If you’re ready to join us to help these men along their path of life–transformation‚ think about joining us in prison for our Kick–Off event‚ held on July 30‚ 2010. To RSVP for this event‚ and all of our class 14 events‚ visit our RSVP site

Straight from the Inside

Class 13 made it! Our 66 participants have had an incredible journey from Kick–Off to BPC and graduation. Read the latest journal entries to find out just what it’s like to be in their shoes:

"Passing through the doorway at the back of the gym, it felt like we were momentarily leaving incarceration and entering freedom. Our families held handmade signs and screamed our names. There were no executive guests by this point because they too were a part of our family. We walked down a giant center aisle to the front where we were seated one last time as a class."

Read More Journals Here