A Different Kind of Holiday
For most people, Thanksgiving means gathering with loved ones around a dinner table. For PEP participants inside prison units, it’s not the setting that defines the holiday, it’s the perspective.
Thanksgiving inside may lack traditional food or family visits, but it’s rich with reflection, brotherhood, and a deep sense of gratitude for growth.
What Participants Are Grateful For
Many PEP men use this season to take stock of how far they’ve come. Common expressions of gratitude include:
- The chance to rewrite their story
- Support from mentors and volunteers
- A clearer vision for life after release
- Personal transformation and newfound faith
- The community and structure PEP provides
Some say it’s the first time in years they’ve felt proud of themselves.
Inside the Unit: How PEP Honors the Holiday
PEP classes during this time often focus on topics like humility, thankfulness, and perspective. Participants write letters to mentors, journal about the year’s growth, or share stories during class.
When possible, small celebrations are organized, with donated food or symbolic tokens of appreciation. Even without the traditions of home, gratitude is felt deeply.
Gratitude as a Discipline
In the PEP curriculum, gratitude is more than a seasonal emotion. It’s a leadership quality. Men are taught that leaders express thanks, own their growth, and recognize how others contribute to their success.
It’s part of rebuilding a life with integrity, humility, and vision.
Final Thought:
Thanksgiving in prison is not about what’s on the table. It’s about what’s in the heart. PEP participants use this moment to reflect, reset, and recommit to the road ahead; with gratitude leading the way.
