I have spent much of my life working in social service organizations of one form or another, so I am profoundly aware of the difficulty this time of year can present for so many people.  When you are supposed to feel joyful and grateful, some people simply don’t – for any number of reasons.  Life is not always kind or fair.  Sometimes life is hard, even if the calendar disagrees. 

However, the community of PEP has once again offered me another perspective on this time of year.  Sometimes the joy and gratitude is not only present, but it is amplified.  Such was the case, this past Thanksgiving during the PEP celebration with staff, volunteers and participants.  Let me tell you – we had a spread!  I carved five turkeys and the Houston Collider was filled with food.  By the end of the day – it was gone. 

As I watched our guys PILE food on their plates, I had not considered how meaningful a home-cooked Thanksgiving meal for the first time in years could mean to someone.  Our guys have worked hard, and it was clear to me that this was a moment to celebrate!

This is what PEP makes possible.  This is what you make possible.  As we come to the end of this year, I want to say thank you for being a part of this community – for the opportunities you help bring about that are worth celebrating

We will share many more stats in the first quarter of next year, but I want to give you just a glimpse of what we have accomplished.

Over the past few months our story has been told on ABC 13 Houston, Texas and Me, and the Right on Crime Podcast.  You can click on each link to watch the interviews.

We have successfully made the move from the Bell Unit to the Pam Lynchner Unit, which is the first time PEP has transitioned prisons in 10 years. 

In very beginning of next year, we will launch the new volunteer management portal which will greatly enhance our engagement and communication with volunteers.  Look for further communication on this in the weeks to come.

And we continue to engage with alumni, donors and volunteers through our end of year giving campaign.  To date, 100% of all PEP staff are now monthly donors and the Board of Directors has collectively contributed 9% of PEP’s total operating budget.  If you would like to make a contribution, either as a one-time gift, or enroll in our monthly donor program, visit the page HERE or reach out to Apple Soto at asoto@pep.org. 

Thank you again for all that you do.  May you find joy and gratitude for the good and the not-so-good, and may the coming year offer all of us the opportunity for transformation. 

Chris

Round 2: Lychner Winter 2026 Business Plan Competition

PEP needs Business Owners, Executives, Directors and Key Decision-Makers to evaluate and score the second round of business pitches.

Your input and feedback will help decide the final teams competing at the Winter 2026 Business Plan Competition Event.

Final Round: Lychner Winter 2026 Business Plan Competition

PEP needs Business Owners, Executives, Directors, and Key Business Decision Makers to judge presentations from all of the final business teams.

There will be a graduation ceremony for the participants following the Business Plan Competition.

Join us for an evening of connection and collaboration at the PEP Houston Business Mixer.

Meet entrepreneurs, mentors, and community leaders, explore funding opportunities with Entre Capital, and learn how PEP is helping returning citizens build strong businesses. It’s a simple way to plug into real impact.

Virtual Event

Work 1×1 with an Estes Winter 2026 team by doing market research, answering questions, and editing business plans.

Outside Event

Provide quality feedback on participants’ business models that will encourage participants to improve and continually develop ideas; to serve as a business coach to further develop business ideas; Networking with participants and other attendees.

Round 2: Estes Winter 2026 Business Plan Competition

PEP needs Business Owners, Executives, Directors and Key Decision-Makers to evaluate and score the second round of business pitches.

Your input and feedback will help decide the final teams competing at the Winter 2026 Business Plan Competition Event.

Virtual Event

Work 1×1 with an Estes Winter 2026 team by doing market research, answering questions, and editing business plans.

Virtual Event

Take a deeper dive with the business teams on Vision & Objective, Product/Service, and Marketing.

Virtual Event

Take a deeper dive with the business teams on financial budgeting and making the Ask.

As we close out the year and move into the holidays, we wanted to pause and share a moment that captures the heart of PEP in a deeply human way.

In this short, unscripted conversation, Chris sits down with Al Massey to reflect on gratitude, transformation, and the quiet miracles that happen when people are given the space, support, and belief to change. What unfolds is a story of reconciliation, healing, and a family reunited after 25 years, made possible through courage, accountability, and the community surrounding him at PEP

This is a reminder that the work we do every day reaches far beyond programs, metrics, or milestones. It reaches into families. It restores relationships. It gives people the chance to become who they were always meant to be.

As you watch, we hope this story reminds you why your work matters and how deeply it impacts the lives of the men we serve and the families connected to them.

– Deon G. (Estes Summer ’25)

Don’t regret anything. Everything that you have done was the best that you knew at the time. The thought of what could have happened will not change a thing at this moment. You can only control your actions now. Let go of the worries about the past and focus on creating a bountiful future for yourself. May inner peace and love always be with you and guide you.

I’ll let you in on a secret.

Life is better when you make space for what you love. This world will rob you of every ounce of happiness that you possess if you let it. You have to be intentional about giving yourself something to look forward to. You have to prioritize your joy.

Sometimes you have to be strong for yourself. You have to know that you’re a good person and a good friend. What’s meant to be will end up good, and what’s not won’t. Love is worth fighting for, but sometimes you can’t be the only one fighting. Sometimes, people need to fight for you. If they don’t, you just have to move on and realize what you gave them was more than they were willing to give you.

Adversity builds character – because of it, you became a greater man.

My comeback has to be stronger then my setback. It’s only a loss if you didn’t learn from it.

Be firm with your choices right now. Don’t go back to habits and situations that weren’t helping you evolve. You have to keep reminding yourself why you even decided to move forward.

Stay positive about what’s to come by being consistent with your change now.

Every day is a NEW BEGINNING, a fresh start to create the life you have always imagined. Let go of past mistakes and focus on the possibilities of today. You have the power to shape your destiny with every choice you make. Trust that each new day brings with it the opportunity to start over and make remarkable progress.

Your story is still being written and the best chapters are yet to come.

Have faith in the journey and trust that everything is happening for your highest good. Stay hopeful and optimistic. Believe that the future holds boundless possibilities and you have the power to shape it into something truly extraordinary.

God knows men’s hearts so if your intention is not pure, you will not get pure results for that. You will get what’s impure.