We believe that without accountability, neither our participants nor the executives with whom we work will be changed by the program. We will do everything in our power to help the participants succeed in life, but we provide only opportunities and tools; participants must want to change. Consequently, PEP only commits time and resources to those who demonstrate a desire to help themselves. PEP enforces a “no wiggle room” accountability program with participants.

PEP volunteers and employees will likewise be held to a high standard of accountability, being required to take ownership of their initiatives and follow through with their commitments.

Accountability

In PEP I’ve found that it’s my responsibility to hold myself accountable. That is one of the things we must be able to do to get ahead. If you are not held accountable, there is a chance that actions could be repeated that could cause more damage than before. Integrity is also something a person needs to achieve along with the ability to execute on any endeavor he/she finds that need to execute to be great. In the process of getting ahead, we need to have fun while reaching excellence – and don’t forget to show a commitment to serve in love and always say what needs to be said, not what they want to hear. (Robin W.)

Accountability is all about holding a person up to the light of their actions and words. This Driving Value also deals with helping the next person become the best version of themselves and righting their wrongs. When you are a good mentor, it is a way of showing others that you care. These are just some of the reasons Accountability means the most to me. (Ryan L.)

We shall hold ourselves accountable for our actions and overcome the challenges that derail us from becoming successful. Our responsibilities are to think though things so we can create a better life for ourselves and our loved ones; make amends to the ones we hurt; hold ourselves accountable; and strive for a better life. We have a choice to make – when we see something that’s not right, we need to say or do something about it. Let’s change the way we live and how we treat each other, this time with love and care. (Eddie V.)

At 27, I have stood firmly on my responsibility, knowing my choices shape not only my future but my daughter’s as well. As a man, I carry myself with pride and purpose, refusing to let excuses define my actions. My daughter is my driving focus, pushing me to be the man I promised to be. Accountability isn’t just a word to me – it’s the standard I live by even when no one is watching. Through every challenge, I remained committed to growth, determined to leave a legacy of strength and integrity for my daughter. (Quendarious E.)

I chose Accountability for a good reason: it is something that I have been lacking for some part of my life. By holding myself accountable for everything I say or do, I’m both building a firm foundation and setting the stage for a better life. This allows me to be responsible for the things I have or will take part in. Accountability has become a very important part of my life, and I plan on holding myself accountable at all times. (Eric A.)

The Driving Value I chose is Accountability because it is an important process that must be exercised throughout my whole life. My entire life, I have blamed my circumstances, actions and lifestyle I chose on others, never looking at the faultiness of my own actions or holding myself accountable for my outlook on life. I’ve now realized I caused all this, and no one else was to blame. I just never exercised the value like I am today. I give thanks to God for opening the doors of PEP, where I was able to not only go through the “accountability process,” but I am also able to apply it daily. Truly it has changed my perspective on my life, and I am able to pass it on so I can help my family and the people around me break the victim mentality. I am very thankful that a huge burden has been lifted off my shoulders with one simple Driving Value. (Mauricio N.)

We are dedicated to pursuing excellence in every area, despite the difficulties which arise from setting high standards. We seek to work with and learn from the best of the best. We are dedicated to developing excellence in leadership throughout our organization—leadership of projects, ideas and the promotion of our 10 Driving Values. PEP is committed to working with people and organizations who share our values and mission.

Excellence

My favorite Driving Value is Excellence because that is how I am going to live my life: with excellence. It has been proven time and again that if you surround yourself with positive people, positive things will happen for you. Being around and learning from successful people will cause me to be more like them. This is why I chose to write about excellence. (Joby C.)

Excellence is my favorite 10 Driving Value. Excellence not only says a lot about a person, it asks us to set a high standard which shows our commitment, dedication and self-discipline, regardless of the task at hand. We strive to work and surround ourselves with great minds – people who are committed and love what they do demonstrate their passion and share our value. We not only consider ourselves a part of this community, we utilize leadership to help others and share knowledge. “Excellence” is not only a word but a way of life, bringing joy and happiness to everyone around me. (Raul N.)

Excellence is my favorite Driving Value. It’s like the eagle to a crow, where the crow is the only bird bold enough to attack an eagle, pecking at its neck. It’s relentless and annoying. In response, the eagle doesn’t flap, fight or waste energy but instead rises to the occasion, elevating to a higher altitude until the crow falls off. Let the crows in your life talk and peck – you don’t have to respond. Keep going higher until your growth suffocates their noise. Be great, soar high, be excellent and fly like an eagle. (Marcus M.)

My favorite Driving Value is Excellence because it means exceptionally high quality. I believe whatever task life throws at us, we should strive for superiority. I have an open mind to learn from people who have mastered their profession so I can learn from their success. At the same time, I am making myself a more proficient entrepreneur. In my life, those are the tools needed to achieve greatness. (Charles B.)

I try to do the very best at everything I ever do. No matter what it is, I want to be (and strive to be) excellent. Very competitive people do not like to fall short or fail. I believe if you execute with excellence by doing your very best, that’s what matters. Nobody is perfect, but that does not mean that we cannot conduct ourselves with excellence. (Corey A.)

We place an emphasis on execution—the ability to get things done. We expect to deliver outstanding and timely results. Big thoughts don’t matter if they are not turned into action. Self-discipline is a core element of our organization’s culture. We sweat the small stuff. We hire people with a strong track record of successful execution.

Execution 

Execution is my favorite 10 Driving Value because of the importance it plays in our daily lives. No matter how small an activity may be, Execution shows how driven an individual is. It also shows that person’s level of commitment. Also, if you are forming a team, you want everyone to perform with outstanding and timely results so that the team can stay on top. If you want to win, Execution is the factor that really matters. (Galen S.)

My favorite Driving Value is Execution! I chose Execution because this program has helped me do things with purpose and pride. The easiest thing for me has always been to give up. When I’ve given up, whatever task was at hand went away, and so did the responsibilities that came with it. Now when I perform a task, I reap the benefits of executing to completion. In the bigger picture, doing things the best I can in a timely fashion makes me stronger in my head and heart. (Dylan D.)

My favorite Driving Value is Execution because you won’t get very far in life without properly executing tasks. Being a part of PEP has made me realize how important execution is when it comes to business, accomplishing goals and life in general. If someone wants to be successful, it is very important to understand how and why great execution is necessary. The levels of execution are kind of like a scale, and a big reason why some people make it while others don’t. (Darvarius P.)

I chose Execution because here in PEP, we are expected to deliver outstanding and timely results. We don’t just dream something up – we turn it into action and have no time to sit around and only talk about it. True execution comes from within the core of our soul with both discipline and humility. We don’t expect it done, we get it done, and we will never sweat the small obstacles in our lives again. “Lazy” is not in our vocabulary anymore. We are a stand-up brotherhood that strives through excellence to get things done the first time. After all, my class is named “Strive ’25” for a reason. (Joshua S.)

One of my favorite Driving Values is Execution because I am a big believer in the importance of getting things done. I have met a lot of people in my time who were smart and talented individuals at specific things but who lacked the ability to execute. I have always had the ability, but I haven’t used it much in the past few years. I am now recharged and full of life again since turning my life over to God. He is now directing my path and has led me here. I have some big plans for my future, and I will turn these plans into action at the first opportunity I get. (Cheyne F.)

My favorite Driving Value is Execution. I am very big on getting things done as soon as you can, especially things that need to be done. You never know what tomorrow will bring, so if today’s activities are not taken care of, then they can spill over into tomorrow. This will mean you will lose the valuable commodity of time that can never be retrieved. Some people prolong so many things and because of this, they never get things done. The Bible says that a little folding of the hands and too much sitting down also comes with poverty and a hungry stomach. I believe in getting things done today so that I can be ready for life tomorrow. (Martin S.)

My favorite Driving Value would have to be Execution. It says that “Big thoughts don’t matter if they are not turned into action.” I think this is something that I’ve struggled with in the past. I’ve always had these great ideas about being someone that I’ve always wanted to be or to simply create a solution to an age-old problem, but I never acted on them. By coming to PEP and living by these 10 Driving Values, I’ve learned to take action and now can turn great ideas into reality. (Joel D.)

PEP believes that every inmate is a human being in need of a true second chance (which for many may actually be a legitimate first chance). We will treat every inmate with respect, regardless of background or personal history. We strive to equip human beings to achieve their full potential. We believe that people can change, dignity can be restored and, as a result, society will reap bountifully.

“Fresh Start” Outlook 

“Fresh Start” Outlook is my favorite Driving Value because I truly believe we all should get a fresh start in life. Coming to PEP has helped me realize a lot in life. Even though we come from different backgrounds or grew up differently, we are all in the same situation right now. We all need a fresh start when we get out, and I feel like we shouldn’t be judged differently just because we have been to prison. We are human beings just like everyone else, and we make mistakes in life – nobody is perfect. The opportunity for a second chance will help a lot of us. PEP has taught us different types of things we didn’t know about in the world. We now know our worth, and it has given us hope in different ways. Living by the 10 Driving Values has become an important part of our everyday lives now. This is the start, not the end! (Danny P.)

I chose “Fresh Start” Outlook because I am a firm believer in second chances. This applies to all aspects of life. We are all humans and we are bound to make mistakes from time to time. But because of our heavenly father, through forgiveness we are allowed that “Fresh Start” Outlook. Coming to this program has allowed me to asses and improve my character. PEP has given us an opportunity to start over. That is why we are currently wearing white, because we get to paint a better picture of ourselves on this white canvas. Remember if you stumble to get up, not give up. (Antonio E.)

My favorite out of all the 10 Driving Values is “Fresh Start” Outlook. The reason is because we as human beings all have the potential to achieve greatness. We have to start within ourselves to seek knowledge of self. In this we find our purpose in life and leave our mark, a positive memorial stain on the minds of our loved ones and friends that will have a ripple effect throughout society and impact the world. This will manifest and prove our “Fresh Start” Outlook. This is how we strive in the fall class of Strive ’25. (Jace M.)

Before I came to PEP, my mindset was different – the same could be said of my characteristics, even the way I saw things. Coming to this program truly opened my eyes and let me know that with a little more effort and execution, I can reach my full potential. Just because we are on this side of the fence dose not mean we can’t have a “Fresh Start” in life again. We too can have a fresh start, a second chance to be part of society and be successful. God Bless. (David A.)

My favorite out of the 10 Driving Values is “Fresh Start” Outlook. I say that because coming from my background, you don’t expect to be much honestly, and with being in PEP I see a future that holds potential as long as I apply myself. Having a “Fresh Start” Outlook gives everybody a clean slate. It gives you hope and a clear conscience. A “Fresh Start” Outlook gives you both a future and your true self. (Trenton S.)

Having a “Fresh Start” Outlook gives not only me but everyone around me a fresh start in life. We can draw strength from remembering all that we have overcome in our lives and look forward to a new life and a better, brighter future. God gives us another chance in life every time we wake up for a new day. My family is also looking forward to the new me walking out this value to help them understand and focus on a fresh start in life. Even though we go through daily struggles, it’s good to know we have a fresh start tomorrow. (Andrew G.)

I believe that everyone deserves a second chance. Everyone comes from a different background, and we didn’t all encounter the same situations which may have led some of us down the wrong path. With the right tools and attitude, we have the opportunity to change the path of our future. PEP is giving us the fresh start to be better men for our families and the world. (Markus L.)

I chose “Fresh Start” Outlook simply because all of my life, I have been half-stepping through all my ups and downs in life. I have come to realize that I have always had one foot in and one foot out when it came to making an actual change. Deep down inside, I knew I had to make a drastic change, but something was always dragging me back to my old ways. I would be doing really well, but then I would start to get complacent, at which point everything would start to fall apart, including relationships and friendships. I took a deep look and wondered why it kept happening to me. Once I realized that I was the problem, and I was the root of all the damage I’d caused, I decided to actually give up all the negative traits and decided to put my all into actually changing my life. My main motivation is my two sons I helped bring onto this world, Dominique Jr, and Za’kyri. If I didn’t come to my full potential for myself, I had to do it for them. (Dominique S.)

Work is an important part of life and it should be fun and rewarding. We seek to create a work environment that encourages laughter, imagination, fellowship and creativity. We regularly celebrate positive results and recognize those involved in the success.

Fun

I picked Fun because I like to have fun at work and with my family. Fun is an important part of life. When you have a life filled with a lot of fun, you will live a good healthy life – and the people around you will have a lot of fun as well. It will benefit their lives as well as their kids’ lives. My kids love when I am with them because we always have a lot of fun together. (David B.)

I chose Fun because it fits me the best. I believe you should always have fun in your life. When you are a fun person, more people will want to hang around you. However, you must always remember that there is a right and wrong time to have fun in your life. If you have kids, you should always have fun with them no matter what. You can take them to amusement parks, the zoo, etc. These experiences will make memories that will last a lifetime. You should live your life having the most fun you can every day because tomorrow is never promised. (Anthony A.)

Fun is my favorite Driving Value. I have been working ever since I was 16 years old, and I am now 58. I’ve had fun on all my jobs – I guess that is why time has flown by for me. Working with different people and having fun along the way makes a job not seem so bad at all. Having fun makes a person wants to go to work because it creates a stress-free environment. Not only do you enjoy those you work with more, but you also make more money. (Kevin S.)

Life can be complicated and stressful, which means that people can take life too seriously. We get caught up in everyday situations and forget to enjoy ourselves. I believe it is important to remember to relax, take time for yourself and have some fun. (Rohn B.)

We embrace a pioneering spirit and are constantly in the pursuit of innovation and improvement in our efforts to help others. We expect dramatic change. We are committed to seeing beyond the current perception, and even the current reality, to break stereotypes and shape new futures.

 Innovation

Innovation is my favorite Driving Value because it reminds me that no matter what things look like currently, I am staying focused on a better future, despite what people label me as or how I’m feeling. I know that as long as I keep doing good and growing, I will be a better version of myself with every day that goes by. I am very thankful that I learned this Driving Value. In the past, I thought it was okay to be the person I was. Now I know that I need to grow and change despite what anyone else thinks. (John S.)

After digging down deep, careful consideration has led me to discover that innovation is my favorite Driving Value. Innovation is the creation of something in the mind. This is a gift that needs to be worked on constantly in order to achieve success. It is widely accepted that thoughts fuel words, and words can spark action, so why not use creative thinking to the best of my ability? An interest in innovation is what led me to apply for PEP; it has also kept me focused on seeing this process through. I was recently informed that I seem to be at my worst when I am stagnant. In order for me to see all that I am capable of – aligning moving purposefully with always performing at my best – I believe Innovation is the key. Even if I do not continuously create new things, the potential will always exist because I will continue to entertain new, healthy ideas. (Jared M.)

Innovation has become my favorite Driving Value for many reasons. It can be easy at times to feel weighed down by your circumstances, but the spirit you embrace through innovation makes for endless possibilities. You are able to stay encouraged and continue seeking personal growth while also being able to positively help the growth of those around you. While you may feel powerless to change certain things, innovation gives you the ability to change everything because you approach things differently. Nothing can limit you when you have an innovative spirit, so go and be all that God has called you to be! (Micah A.)

We model and require complete honesty and integrity in all our relationships and endeavors. Integrity means more than simply the absence of deception; it means we are completely forthright in all our dealings. We say what needs to be said, not simply what people want to hear. We are truthful with ourselves, listening attentively to feedback from others as they speak into our lives, correct us and reveal to us our blind spots.

Integrity

I picked Integrity because it is one of the Driving Values that the rest are built upon. My definition of integrity is doing the right thing, even when no one is looking. With integrity comes honesty, and every organization needs that type of foundation. I’m glad to be a part of PEP because we have integrity in our culture. Integrity derives from truth, and no relationship is sustained without it. (Devin S.)

It is hard for me to pick one favorite Driving Value because I like them all and I think all the values can be applied in our lives. If I had to choose only one though, it would be Integrity because it is one of the things I most failed at displaying in my life. Now being here, integrity has been one of the qualities I strive to master. Before PEP I would lie a lot to my wife, my workers and all the people around me. Now everything has changed, and now I’m taking responsibility for my mistakes. (Nelson M.)

Integrity is my favorite Driving Value. Integrity allows me to be honest with myself, keeping me from being paralyzed by pretending to be somewhere – and someone – I’m not. Integrity keeps me from living a lie. It helps me realize where I am in life and so I can move forward to where I want to be. I realize that integrity is important to my growth, development and well-being. I want to live a life of integrity with myself, my family and my business. (Raul S.)

My favorite of the 10 Driving Values is Integrity because without it, you don’t have anything. Integrity means your words and your actions agree with one another. In my opinion, Integrity is the glue holding the rest of the values together. It’s really much more than just what you say; it’s also how you live that shows integrity (or the lack thereof). I can say all the right things but if I don’t live them out, I have no real integrity. If I point out others’ wrongs yet repeat the same actions, where is my integrity? I only want people who have integrity around me, and I keep my circle small for this reason. (Timothy H.)

My favorite of the 10 Driving Values has to be Integrity because if you have and maintain your integrity, it proves that you are trustworthy and your word carries more weight. If I hire people with integrity, I know that if I need to go somewhere else, maybe to sell a job or expand my company, that in my absence work is still being completed. If I have integrity, my employees will know that whatever it is that I’m doing, it will be to help improve their lives. I always want to be a person who means what he says and says what he means. (Eric H.)

Integrity means you always do the right thing. When you live with integrity, you have nothing to hide. When you take fear and guilt off your back, it will set you free so you can be your best self. It means being myself when no one is watching, which is the “truth test” to evaluate whether I have true integrity. Therefore, the most important thing is to be true to yourself and live your life in an honest way. (Roman W.)

Integrity is my favorite of all the Driving Values because of how uncommon it is. When it’s all said and done, 80%-90% of the world’s population has a lie they will tell just to cover themselves. They are deceptive, trying to cheat their way up to the top. So when you find people with true integrity, it’s a gem and asset to have those people by your side. They will always tell it like it is, and if not won’t say anything at all. Integrity means being honest and truthful about every part of your life, holding yourself and others accountable. Having integrity is part of being a man of God. (Phillip D.)

The dictionary defines integrity as an “undivided or unbroken completeness or totality with nothing wanting; or moral soundness.” I believe integrity involves outwardly displaying exactly what’s on the inside of a person’s heart. When you have integrity, there isn’t any conflict between what is on the inside a person and what they choose to display. A person need not wonder if someone’s character is true if that person has and values integrity. They will answer without any bias or partiality and will conduct themselves and all of their affairs with integrity. Integrity is integral to any and all character development and all Driving Values. Without it, one will question everything else. (John P.)

We are committed to service in love. PEP staff and leaders will be patient and kind, never envious or boastful or rude. We will not seek our own way nor be easily provoked; rather, we will bear all things and endure all things. We will rejoice in the truth and always seek out the best in others.

Love

My favorite Driving Value is Love. Love is more than something you just say. There are so many ways to show someone that you love them. People can be disappointed in your choices and still love you. Love is when you value someone’s happiness as much as your own. This is my favorite Driving Value because Love is the answer. (Makuai M.)

I chose Love because it is more than just an emotion – it’s just being nice to people. It is the center of what it means to be human, and it is also the core of our 10 Driving Values. There isn’t a single value that can be accomplished without love. With that in mind, let us also consider what our mission in life is, what we all crave and what we were created for. It’s all about love: loving ourselves; loving each other; and most importantly, loving God. (Christopher M.)

My favorite Driving Value is Love because I believe love is everything we need in this dream called life. Love is the strong positive emotion that makes us happy. Love has helped us human beings survive thousands of years on this planet. Love forgives and is patient; love cares and doesn’t envy; love waits, and love helps. All we need is love! (Octavio H.)

I choose love as my favorite Driving Value because love is the most important one to me. It is something a lot of guys never heard growing up or felt at all. Love is something we all have shown each other here in PEP. Love is the most important value because you can’t have any of the other Driving Values without it. (Jaymis A.)

Love is the most important Driving Value. You can share love with another person, and you can also be loved by others. It’s a beautiful feeling and can be powerful when shared correctly. Love will help you feel better, look healthier and even act differently. When you choose love, it will show because the power of it will give you a certain glow. (Anthony B.)

My favorite Driving Value would be Love. Love is important because this world would be much worse without it. In God’s words it says, “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” The greatest act of love is to lay down one’s life for his friends. We are even called to love our enemies. If we only love the ones who love us, we won’t please God and there will be no reward. Here at PEP, we are committed to service in love, and we will always seek out the best in others with love. (Michael B.)

Out of the 10 Driving Values, I would say that Love is my favorite one because we all need this in our lives. I am a new man and creation through the power of God. The word of God says that love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous, boastful, proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable and doesn’t keep records of being wronged. It does not complain about injustices. I believe that we all have won because Love never gives up or loses faith. Three things that last forever are faith, hope and love. I believe that I have lots to give my PEP brothers, and most have given me love in return. Lets let love be our highest goal. (Tomas R.)

Love is my favorite Driving Value because it’s the basis of all the other Driving Values. Without love, we are nothing. John Lennon wrote the lyrics “love is all you need,” and he was right. Love is so important in a Christian’s walk that Paul dedicated I Corinthians 13 to the power of love. “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.” When we love our fellow men, we follow the most important commandments: love God with all your heart and mind and love your neighbor as yourself. Love is all things to all men; and without love, our words are dust. (Michael C.)

My favorite Driving Value is Love. I feel like everyone in this world needs to be loved and show love. There are many types of love. For example, a child’s love for his or her parents is different than being in love with someone. There is also showing love to someone who is struggling financially and helping them out. I feel like love is important in life because it helps people feel better in every way. Everyone should experience all different kinds of love and also share love with others. This will make the world a better place. (Spencer N.)

I picked love because a child received with love will grow up to be a loving soul. Also, it means a lot to me because it’s the one thing I show on a regular basis – I’m a loving and loveable person. Love is an elixir, and the strongest relationships are steeped in love. Love is not only one of the most frequently talked about topics today, but it is also one of the most essential issues in today’s society. (Javonte R.)

PEP believes that with leadership comes the overriding responsibility to be of service to others. We believe the contributions we make in the lives of others are far more important than our own accomplishments. We will lead by example with humility at the sacrifice of personal glory. PEP exists because of our desire to serve all those with whom we come in contact, especially our participants, executives, partners, donors, prison staff and the community at large.

Servant-Leader Mentality

Choosing a favorite Driving Value is like choosing a favorite Beyoncé song: they are all great and equally important in my eyes. However, some days I’m in the mood for the song “Love on Top” and other days I’m in the mood to listen to “Party.” As for the 10 Driving Values, I’ve thought about it and decided to select Servant-Leader Mentality because it reminds me of my family, particularly my father. I was raised in a family of public servants, and my father is the epitome of Servant-Leader Mentality. He has dedicated his life to our family. He never did anything at the expense of our family and has always led us to success. Today, I choose Servant-Leader Mentality as my favorite Driving Value in honor of my father who always leads by example with love. (Nikki B.)

I choose Servant-Leader Mentality because it is my absolute favorite Driving Value. Being a “servant” means doing things for other people by helping out in any way possible; being a “leader” means setting a positive example for others and doing what is righteous; and “mentality” has to do with having a good mindset that is positive and not easily distracted. Having a Servant-Leader Mentality is the way your character is defined, which in turn defines you as the person you are. Being that righteous person will help lead others to eventually become positive too. (Scott D.)

We are committed to the mentality of a steward: someone entrusted with another’s wealth or property and charged with the responsibility of managing it in the owner’s best interest. We will apply donors’ funds as promised. We are committed to being a lean organization, and as a staff, we are also committed to modest salary and expense levels. We use funds intelligently, efficiently and strategically to achieve maximum benefit for those we serve.

Wise Stewardship

Wise Stewardship has become my favorite of the 10 Driving Values because as I’ve matured, I’ve taken a liking to learning. A wise man knows to listen more than speak. If you listen you learn, you’ll gain understanding. Understanding shows you how to move and choose between right and wrong. Choosing between right and wrong means thinking before you act, and if you are able to think before you act, that means you will use wisdom in every decision you make. When I was a child, I spoke and reasoned as a child. But when I became a man, I put those childish ways away. (Mortez T.)

My favorite Driving Value is Wise Stewardship because we should be wise with everything that we are entrusted with. We should also use our time and resources in the most efficient ways possible. God gave us stewardship over the earth and all its creatures, and I feel that humanity has done a poor job so far with what we have been given to steward. We should be more careful with all we are given moving forward. (Bryan H.)