The Importance of Stable Housing in Reentry
A Key to Long-Term Success Housing is one of the most important, and most difficult, parts of reentry. Without a safe place to live, everything else becomes harder: finding work, rebuilding relationships, and maintaining personal growth. For returning citizens, stable housing isn’t just shelter. It’s security, structure, and a foundation for the future. Barriers to […]
How We Support Alumni During the Holidays
Staying Connected When It Matters Most For many people, the holidays bring joy, celebration, and time with family. For those who’ve recently returned home or are still navigating reentry, the season can also bring stress, loneliness, or financial pressure. That’s why PEP remains active in the lives of alumni long after graduation, especially during the […]
Can You Start a Business in a Halfway House?
Starting Small While Building Big Living in a halfway house is a step toward full freedom, but it often comes with strict rules, curfews, and oversight. For aspiring entrepreneurs, the question becomes: Can you build a business while still under supervision? The answer is yes, with careful planning, patience, and guidance. What’s Allowed and What’s […]
What Is a Reentry Coach?
A Guide for the Journey Home Leaving prison is just the beginning. The first months after release are filled with challenges; housing, transportation, job searches, and reconnecting with family. That’s where a reentry coach comes in. A reentry coach is a mentor, guide, and accountability partner for someone transitioning back into society. At PEP, they […]
How PEP’s Alumni Network Supports Life After Prison
A Network That Doesn’t End at Graduation PEP’s support does not stop when participants finish the in-prison program. In fact, one of the most valuable aspects of the journey begins after release. The PEP alumni network is a living, active community of men who continue to support one another as they reenter society and pursue […]
What Does Reentry Support Actually Look Like at PEP?
Beyond Release Day At PEP, graduation is not the end, it’s the beginning of a new chapter. Reentry is complex, and no one should face it alone. That’s why our post-release support is as intentional and structured as our in-prison program. The First 72 Hours PEP connects with graduates the moment they step out. This […]
The Hidden Power of Business Plans in Prison
More Than a Document At first glance, a business plan might seem like just a tool for starting a company. But inside the walls of a PEP classroom, it becomes something much deeper. For many participants, writing a business plan is their first experience imagining a future that doesn’t involve survival, it involves purpose. Why […]
Volunteering with PEP: What Makes Someone Great at It
More Than Just Showing Up PEP volunteers are more than spectators, they’re catalysts for change. Whether they serve as business plan advisors, character coaches, or pitch judges, their impact stretches far beyond a single visit. But what makes a PEP volunteer truly effective? It’s not about credentials or business experience. It’s about presence, humility, and […]
After Graduation: How PEP’s eSchool Supports Long-Term Success
The Work Doesn’t Stop at Graduation Walking across the stage at a PEP graduation is a milestone, but it’s not the finish line. It’s the beginning of the next phase, one that’s just as important. That’s where eSchool comes in. eSchool is PEP’s post-release support system for graduates reentering society. It provides continued learning, accountability, […]
From GED to CEO: Building Businesses Without a Degree
No Degree? No Problem. Many PEP participants come in without a high school diploma, let alone a college degree. But that doesn’t stop them from becoming business owners, leaders, and changemakers. In fact, some of the most successful PEP graduates started with nothing more than a GED and a willingness to learn. PEP’s approach proves […]
