Transformation Is a Two-Way Street
While PEP is focused on equipping incarcerated men for life after prison, many volunteers will tell you the program has changed their lives, too. Whether they’re seasoned executives or first-time mentors, volunteers consistently walk away with a new sense of purpose and perspective.
It’s not just about giving; it’s about growing.
A Front-Row Seat to Courage and Change
Volunteers enter the prison unit to teach, coach, or offer encouragement. What they often find is a room full of men who are eager to grow, open to feedback, and deeply committed to change. Witnessing that transformation firsthand has a lasting effect.
Many volunteers say it shifts how they view leadership, humility, and human potential.
Learning Through Listening
PEP encourages volunteers to share knowledge, but also to listen. In doing so, they often learn just as much as they teach. They gain insights into resilience, personal responsibility, and what it takes to start over. They hear stories that reframe assumptions and deepen empathy.
The experience is both humbling and inspiring.
Lifelong Connections
Some volunteers continue to mentor their participant long after release. Others stay connected to the program by attending events, hiring graduates, or joining the growing community of advocates. Each relationship built through PEP becomes part of a larger network of support.
Final Thought:
Volunteering with PEP isn’t just about service. It’s about seeing transformation in action and being transformed in the process. Those who show up to give often walk away having gained far more than they expected.
