I don’t know who said it, but I have been reflecting on a quote I heard recently:  “Every day I wake up with more gratitude than expectations is a good day.” I love this for a lot of reasons, but mostly because at PEP, I have a lot of good days! I count it a privilege to share with others the inspirational stories both our men and volunteers experience. Throughout my life, I have been asked to bear witness to hope – the hope that comes when reconciliation is realized. When I was a priest, it was expected that I would speak of grace and mercy. Now I speak of that same grace and mercy, but in places where people don’t expect to hear it, and where it might otherwise not be so easy to do. As a result, I am surrounded by others who also begin to experience more gratitude than expectations – and this makes every day a little better!

I recently attended a clubhouse meeting at the Pam Lychner Unit. The topic was Authentic Manhood, during which the men asked themselves, “What kind of man do I want to be? What changes am I making now so I can be that man when I’m released?”

After a few people made comments, I asked them, “What kind of man does your family need you to be, and what are the changes they would like you to make?” There were a few audible reactions, several head nods and a long pause. 

PEP recently entered an agreement with the Kinder Institute in Houston so that our work may be included in their research on economic mobility. One of the questions I have asked them to research is why Texas has a lower recidivism rate than many other states. Based on my research, my hypothesis is that visitors and volunteers inside prison have a lot do with that. . . but it is just a hypothesis for now, but anecdotally, the stories I hear speak to the importance of our volunteers and the families of these men. You are the catalysts for transformation. 

Thus, I will bring this to a close with an invitation. At the Dallas Country Club on April 30th, PEP will host its annual B2B event.  It is a chance to see the impact of the PEP community over time– in one night – because the men who will pitch that night are those who have been out of prison for many years, reconciled with their families, and launched thriving businesses. On April 30th, each will pitch for a grant to grow his business to the next level. Equally amazing, it is an evening filled with extraordinary men and women who serve as mentors – volunteers who have shared their hearts, lives and expertise to help make second chances possible.

There are only a few tables left, so if you want to invite your friends to an extraordinary evening of inspiration, you can purchase your table or individual tickets below. Don’t miss your chance to witness the impact of the PEP community firsthand at the Dallas Country Club on April 30th. For any questions regarding registration, please contact Apple Soto at asoto@pep.org.

In the meantime, thank you for all you continue to do for so many others. I hope to see you soon.

Chris

Outside Event

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

Outside Event

In conjunction with eSchool, executive volunteers are invited to a monthly networking event with our participants in Houston and North Texas. The event aims to connect you with eSchool participants and support them in developing their vision, creating resumes, leveraging LinkedIn, etc.

Both men and women are encouraged to participate.

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.

Outside Event

Join us for an evening of connection as we learn more about PEP and the Barbed Wire to Business event while celebrating second chances.

Round 1: Estes Summer 2026 Business Plan Competition

Judge individual participants on new business ideas from the lens of a consumer (i.e. Is the idea innovative? Is there a market?) Teams will be formed to move forward with the top ideas.

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.

A Participants Review of the PEP Clubhouse

Before joining PEP, I had already been on a three-year journey of transformation actively searching for new tools that allow me to continue to grow. I’ve come a long way but when I heard about PEP I just knew that it had something special just for me. I wasn’t disappointed. Once I got to PEP, I embraced everything they had to offer, but the icing on the cookie for me is definitely Clubhouse. My journey in personal development not only helped me, a man who spent years engaging in self-destructive behavior, turn a complete 180, it also instilled in me a strong passion to help guide others who want that same transformation for themselves.

Needless to say, I became extremely excited once I figured out that my passion coincides with the purpose of Clubhouse. I spoke with Jeff H. about how he began mentoring and giving back out of curiosity about how I could do the same. He told me that Clubhouse was the perfect place to begin. He explained how I could engage and facilitate the sessions, helping the volunteers guide and process with my group of brothers every Monday. Truthfully, it felt like a therapy session once I saw it through a new lens, so of course I joined as soon as possible.

Now that I’m a part of the in-house team I’ve been able to properly observe Clubhouse for what it really is. Clubhouse is an open forum session that allows both participants and volunteers to go deep within and discuss things with one another in order to achieve the goals we seek. Clubhouse consists of 15 weeks total, delivering five weeks of life skills and 10 weeks of leadership skills. Although my brothers and I are searching for knowledge and clarity, Clubhouse has honestly turned out to be a tool that helps us grow closer with one another.

During the seven weeks that “2 Live Fall 25’” has been attending, we’ve been able to go over all of the life skills such as Mission and Vision Values, Trust, Purpose, Belonging, and Talent/Passion/Profession. Each of these life skills topics has been a crucial part of our growth. It’s not simply the meaning of the subject that matters, but how we execute discussing it together. My eyes were truly opened in the process and I’m thankful for the opportunity to participate in it.

I must admit that going over these five subjects alone has helped many of us knock down the proverbial walls we built over the years, brick by brick. Volunteers like Charles B., Jeff H., L.M.Z., Joe H., Keith F., and many others do an amazing job keeping us engaged and continuously growing into better men. 

They ask the right questions that naturally guide us toward understanding and clarity. When they open up and share their own vulnerabilities, it helps us do the same.

I tip my hat to every volunteer who participates each week knowing that their passion and enthusiasm are genuine. 

We also have an in-house Clubhouse team consisting of 10 of my brothers in the program who help guide and facilitate each session. We hold different rotating positions including Moderator, Executive Meet & Greeter, Timer, Mic Runner, and Monitor. Each role is important to ensure that the sessions stay on track and that everyone who wants to speak has a voice.

Our close-knit in-house team chose Clubhouse individually for our own personal reasons, but when it comes down to it, we simply wanted to be of service. The team spreads responsibility evenly so that each of us can hold a different position each week. This allows us to gain experience serving in every aspect of the Clubhouse experience.

I have personally only done timekeeping so far, but I am scheduled to moderate in an upcoming session. I’m excited for two reasons. First, because it places me in an uncomfortable position that I know will lead to growth. Second, because once I get comfortable in this new space, I can truly begin my mission of helping others participate in the experiment of self-improvement.

Anthony King will moderate the lead as I follow, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to learn from him. He’s passionate about Clubhouse and I aspire to be like him. Together we will help guide the discussion on Relationship Building. Many of my brothers struggle with this topic after years of doing things our own way and adopting prison mentalities. Thankfully, Clubhouse once again provides an opportunity for growth and self-improvement.

In conclusion, I’d like to thank every volunteer and executive who comes in every Monday to support our growth. We are a family here at Clubhouse and I pray that you continue to pour into us as you always have.

The purpose of the PEP Clubhouse is to create a supportive environment that promotes transformation of participants through renewed thinking (from a backward-thinking mindset to forward thinking) and identity building through open communication between peers, volunteers, and executives.

– Tate I.