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

Accountability is my favorite Driving Value because you have to conquer the other Driving Values to achieve true accountability. It calls for direct action starting with a thought. Everything begins with and ends with a thought – positive or negative, good or bad, nothing can be achieved without first thinking of it. Accountability plays an important role in making good decisions because it’s about personal responsibility that one needs to take for one’s own decisions. You can’t grow until you hold yourself accountable for all your actions, not just some. But holding yourself accountable is the beginning of change in the new you: “A man is what a man thinketh.” Once you renew your mind, you renew the man. We need to make a lot of tough decisions that start with accountability, which are simple but don’t seem simple because of our pride or ego. We must walk with humility and integrity to be honest with ourselves first. Don’t be afraid to be vulnerable and get rid of false facades. Be honest with others, respecting them and their decisions. Don’t hold on to the past or anything that wants to hold you back. Learn to let go of things that don’t serve a common interest or purpose in your life. Try to right your wrongs, but understand that no one owes you forgiveness other than you yourself. And don’t assume you know everything. It’s better to listen than it is to be heard all the time. Fix you first before trying to fix anything else. Last but not least, love yourself first. Don’t rely on anyone to validate what God has given to you freely. Always hold yourself accountable to do what is right by yourself and others. (Christopher H.)

I’m choosing accountability as my favorite Driving Value. The main reason I chose this is because before you allow yourself to err, as a man you should first hold yourself accountable. There is a saying about how “checking yourself at the door” is important because by doing this, you don’t have to worry about someone else needing to check you. This is not to be misunderstood or misinterpreted because sometimes as humans, we may need someone other than ourselves to hold us accountable. We all make mistakes, and we all have blind spots. For someone to be receptive of the Driving Value accountability, I believe they have to have already taken the initiative to hold themselves accountable. For these reasons, accountability is my primary choice. (Emmanuel S.)

Accountability is my favorite Driving Value. The amount of growth I have witnessed within myself and others is largely due to accountability. I also realize that it is a process. First, you begin taking personal accountability in private. By doing this, we begin to attract the type of individuals who will hold us accountable to bring this higher self to realization, no matter the sacrifice. Real accountability is about love: love for God, yourself, those around you and those who came before you. (Jervon C.)

My favorite Driving Value would have to be accountability. The reason I chose this is because I feel like this is one trait I never really had. And by holding myself accountable, I can have more integrity. Another reason I like this Driving Value is because you can use it in many different aspects of life, from home to work to day-to-day experiences. Accountability helps relationships and friendships by building trust. It also ties into wise stewardship, because if I’m a person who holds myself accountable, people will trust me with their belongings. (Anthony J.)

Accountability is a means of understanding exactly what is transpiring within oneself mentally, physically and emotionally. Accountability is taking ownership of faults, mishaps and mistakes. When individuals hold themselves accountable, it is called being responsible. Being responsible leads to growth and maturity in the mind, body and soul. When words or actions are presented, whether in a positive or negative way, people should always be prepared to give an account for the reason behind why something happened. (Travis T.)

Accountability is definitely my favorite Driving Value. If it wasn’t for accountability, this program would be watered down. Until I started PEP, accountability (or holding someone else accountable) was something I wasn’t even interested in. After learning about the importance of accountability, I am very interested in surrounding myself around positive peers so that we can all hold each other accountable so that we don’t lose focus on what our goals are.

Ontario J.

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 value is excellence for a few different reasons. First, I think we all should strive to become the best version of ourselves. If we try to transcend our comprehension and understanding of what’s important in life, then we are truly on the right path. Proving that through our words and actions can free us, and people will know what to expect from us. What’s more, we will come to learn what to expect of ourselves. (Richard M.)

In this life, we are born without knowledge of anything. The time comes when we learn to open our minds and learn. We begin a very hard process because our memory has to retain a lot of information. As we become one with our memories and become more mature, we reach the stage where we begin to compete with others who are also on the same mission. We will always have time to compete because we are born to learn something new every day, and competition teaches us a lot about others and ourselves. When the time comes to finally rest and enjoy the fruits of our labor, we’ll know we competed in the game of life and learned from the best of the best. We will always strive to do and be the best version of ourselves. (Eddie O.)

Excellence is my favorite Driving Value. To me, excellence is a consistent pursuit of meeting expectations and improving from there. I personally feel that it fosters a culture where settling for “good enough” is not acceptable. Since coming to PEP, I find myself constantly striving for the best results in all my work. Fully engaging in my learning and seeking feedback has helped my personal growth tremendously. (Jesus R.)

This is a quality value – being excellent is to be good at something, and to me, achieving excellence reflects the time and effort you put into the things you do. There is also a hidden word in this value, which is excel. This word simply means to be superior. So be the best at everything you do by being the one who always makes it to the top no matter the struggles getting there and make it a distinguishing attribute. When you have all these things in place, you have truly achieved excellence! (Steven O.)

The Prison Entrepreneurship Program has granted me the opportunity to work with some extremely bright individuals. It has also blessed me with the opportunity to learn from some successful executives who share their time and skills with all of us in PEP. These are just some of the reasons why excellence is definitely my favorite Driving Value. (Aaron E.)

To me, excellence is order – let me explain why. Order is something that is very close to my heart. I expect things to line up and look or move or follow, to a certain extent, a structure that represents the best of its ability. These are things that are done to the highest point of its end purpose, which is the essence of excellence. (Derwin G.)

I strive for excellence in every aspect of my life. I seek to learn from the best, work with the best and even be the best at what I do. Only through excellence can you achieve greatness in life. It is the very foundation that builds character of the highest magnitude. These are the reasons why excellence is my favorite of the 10 Driving Values. No other value expresses my deepest interpretation of what I expect to bring to my family and

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 means to put something into action successfully. Knowledge is good, but action is better. Obviously, you need skill and education to execute efficiently and effectively, but again, if you don’t act, all the knowledge, preparation and analysis is just academic. Of the 10 Driving Values, I like to start with innovation to come up with great ideas and then follow through with execution by taking massive action, all while having fun. (John C.)

Without a doubt, the one Driving Value that I favor the most is execution because it embodies a part of who I am. I’ve always prided myself on getting things done, and execution means prioritizing the tasks in my life; managing the time it takes to get those tasks done; rejecting excuses; and doing the tasks at a high-quality level. Execution is a four-fold assignment to me, and it’s how I move within the business world. When I am released, I will apply this value in the right direction to help achieve success. (Elijahwon K.)

Execution is my favorite Driving Value because I believe in getting things done. For instance, if I’m working on a project or an assignment, I will not be satisfied until the project or assignment is complete. I’m like that about everything I do. If you qualify for a job, get it done or get out of the way. (Lee J.)

My favorite of the 10 Driving Values is execution. Execution is one of the most important factors in success. No matter how much planning and preparing you do, if you don’t execute the plan properly, you won’t succeed. In everything I do, I focus on executing it to the best of my ability. The ability to execute is a strength of mine that has paid off in life. (David C.)

Execution is an important part of growth within a person. Being able to execute on changing habits takes courage for one to succeed. Having self-discipline and staying focused is key to executing a positive change. Even when executing small changes, you are still executing. The ability to execute things in a timely manner means I have respect, whatever the situation or task that needs to be achieved. Execution also plays a part in the accountability process because people will know they can depend on you. (Scott B.)

Execution is not something I had ever applied to my life before, but since coming to PEP, its importance has become clear. How can you accomplish anything in life if you do not have the ability to get things done? I have applied execution to my life and have seen the change and bear the fruit. Now I consider it a must in any situation because procrastination only harms you. (Corey W.)

Execution is the ability to meet objectives without excuses. Being able to execute the steps and the process required to become successful will determine your future. Also, the timely manner in which it takes to execute will determine how quickly a person will reach his goals. If you’re a slacker, you should practice execution often. Success in life (or any objective) is the ability to execute when the time comes. (Jeremy W.)

All 10 Driving Values have their purpose, but for me, there is an order in which I would execute them, because execution is my “go to.” I truly believe that it requires action to achieve anything, usually over a period of time. Execution has gotten me this far in my incarceration. I don’t believe that it was coincidental that I have executed change from the time of my sentence. Being here in PEP, execution is a Driving (action-oriented) Value. I believe that my divine Creator, my Father in heaven, has placed this within me. It took me being locked up to get me to dig deep. Execute! (Antonio P.)

The Driving Value of execution is not only of vast importance, but it is crucial to the overall structure that we have learned in this program. Having discipline is a fine notion, but without execution, discipline is just a word. Having an award-winning idea is great, but at the end of the day, the person that executes gets the applause. We have learned what execution truly means in PEP. The curriculum and the business competition of this program largely relies on the ability to follow through and execute. In the end, execution wins the day. (Steven G.)

My favorite Driving Value is execution because it describes my work ethic. I expect to complete any task given to me with excellent results, done in a timely manner. I believe I have the self-discipline to execute any project that is given to me, regardless of how impossible it may seem. I wasn’t raised to be lazy, and that is why I push others so much. (Jesus C.)

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. All my life, I was judged outside of my environment for living how I was. Even inside prison I was judged by similar people due to the fact I wanted to change and do better. At PEP, I don’t feel this way.  No one judges us and the executives love us. I’ve never experienced this sense of belonging before, so this feeling makes having a fresh start outlook my favorite. (Chrishton L.)

The reason why “Fresh Start” Outlook is my favorite is because I truly believe that PEP sees us as more than just a number. We get treated with dignity regardless of our criminal background. PEP gives us a second chance so that we can prove to society that we are capable of change. We also help one another, and no one gets left behind. We work with what we’ve got, and we don’t make excuses. (Angel F.)

My favorite Driving Value is “Fresh Start” Outlook. PEP believes wholeheartedly in second chances, surrounding likeminded men around one another who are committed in reaching their full potential and starting fresh. This is my favorite because it really hits home with me, as I am a changed man and know 100% that people can change. I have an entirely new outlook on life and am truly blessed. God opened my eyes and spared my life. I will continue to put God and family first. I seek physical, mental and spiritual growth each and every day. I am very grateful and blessed. I am excited for the next part of life’s journey. (Michael M.)

I am choosing “Fresh Start” Outlook as my favorite Driving Value. I wanted a “fresh start” in life, and accepting the PEP invitation was the first step. I wanted to join a group of brothers who are all committed to change. I know change isn’t easy – no matter how much we want it, change is challenging. Being around a group of men who all want a “Fresh Start” is a blessing. Being able to learn and grow with fellow PEP brothers is truly equipping us for a better future with our family members and our communities. The future looks bright and gives me hope to be able to stand strong on my two feet. Thank you for the hand up and not the handout. (Jose S.)

“Fresh Start” Outlook is my favorite Driving Value. Since I made the choice to attend PEP and stand “between the wings,” this value has become my favorite. I have been pushed to achieve my full potential in character development, and I know the same can be said of my PEP brothers as well. By becoming an entrepreneur, a better husband, a father and an all-around better human being, I am choosing a “fresh start” outlook on life. I am ready to work hard and rebuild communities. (Ryan P.)

“Fresh Start” Outlook is my favorite of the 10 Driving Values because we each deserve a true second chance at life. PEP helps to build character and instill new values in each participant. The program is helping us grow as men, fathers, sons, husbands and positive members of society. Through PEP, we are shedding our old values and picking ourselves up, living with new purpose as men of faith and a new moral compass. (Daniel M.)

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

The Driving Values are all good, but my favorite one is fun. I like fun the most right now because in prison, “fun” is a word you would not associate with a place like this. Being able to let down your guard and be “goofy” or “playful” can lighten anyone’s mood. This allows room for joy and laughter to fill the air, making it a less stressful environment. I have almost always equated fun with a person’s true self. Having a place where having “fun” is a safe space allows us to feel free while still being in prison. (Orrian E.)

My favorite Driving Value is fun because even though things can get rough, and at times we get mad or sad, having someone to make you laugh in a moment like this will brighten your mood. Having fun gives you the opportunity to enjoy yourself and be more open to meeting new people and interacting with others. Fun makes life a bit easier. Fun brings people together, and there is nothing more positive than making someone else smile. I think it is a good trait to have because I have kids, and being able to show them the right way to have fun will bring us together while also making memorable moments. (Rodolfo S.)

I choose fun because work is always supposed to be fun even if you don’t like to work. Fun is a very important part of my life. If I don’t put in the work to have fun, I will never feel satisfied in anything I do. It is important to have a good balance of fun in life because with fun, you are able to relax in a society where people take things too seriously. (Quenten S.)

I would have to say that fun is my favorite out of the 10 Driving Values because fun is crucial to my success. Someone who has fun typically has a good attitude, and a good attitude goes a long way. It does not matter how successful you are – if you constantly have a frown on your face, people will not want to be around you. Happiness attracts happiness, and that is what fun creates. It truly makes the world a better place. (Zachary H.)

I love what I do. I paint the lines on freeways. It is a very satisfying feeling when I get to a new job site and know that I’m about to do the road’s layout. I know millions of people will drive on this road, and it will be something I helped to create. Making a safe road for people to drive on is very rewarding for me. It is also fun when my crew is there with me as we work, joke and get the job done together. It is really rewarding to see how an old road is transformed once we are done with it. I enjoy my job so much, at times it feels like it’s not even work. This is why I chose fun as my favorite Driving Value. (Rene C-M)

My favorite Driving Value is fun because I believe everyone should have fun together. Fun makes life easier in my eyes. Sitting with loved ones, friends and family while having fun makes memories you will always treasure.  I enjoy fun because it is amusing and exciting; it also makes me feel like living those types of moments all over again. When you have fun, you experience a feeling of delight and of being entertained. We have fun during class, and I enjoy these times. In PEP, we strive to live out all 10 Driving Values, but this one is my favorite. (Chon H.)

Fun is a great way to bring joy to someone’s life. A lot of people hold things in and put on this tough guy act, but while they are busy doing so, they forget to have fun. In prison, having fun can be looked at as a sign of weakness, but I don’t agree. Having fun with people can build long-lasting friendships and relationships. Having fun can also lighten moods, make people laugh or smile during hard moments. I choose fun as my favorite Driving Value because without fun, life is nothing. (Jarvis J.)

My favorite Driving Value is fun. The reason I chose fun is because being in an environment where fun is looked at as negative, I have the chance to change my perspective. I strive to display constant joy, fun and happiness. Fun is an important part of life, and it is a really important part of my life. We sometimes forget this in a working environment, which can keep a frown on our faces. When we look negative, it can prevent us from reaping the benefits of a fun life. So have fun with your peers and bosses and enjoy life with some fun in it. (Michael F.)

My favorite Driving Value is fun. I chase fun because that’s me, all the way! I get the job done and have fun at the same time. I am loveable, plus I am a people person. I like to make people smile and laugh because it brings joy to my life. I am always positive, and this makes the people around me also turn to positivity. Having fun makes the job better and run smoother. You never know what someone is going through, so it’s up to me to make them smile, have a good time and get the job done while having positive results at the end of the day. (Brandon T.)

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

I chose to write about innovation because it is the definition of how I live my life. I am innovative and creative. I always come up with new ideas or creative ways to make an idea better. I am also creative and innovative in how I present my ideas or creations. I look for ways to make people’s lives easier and add excitement to them as well. I possess a caring spirit and look for the good in people and every situation. I also can adapt to change pretty well in every situation. I surprise many people who may think I am not too bright or have their own point of view on what I am about. I am often asked my opinion because I am rational and fair and stand for what is right. A person who is innovative is someone who has the potential to be a good, down-to-earth entrepreneur with a lot to offer and keeps an open mind on how to handle business while also keeping it interesting. (Ervin G.)

My favorite of the 10 driving values is innovation. Having the control and the commitment to see beyond gives me the room to mold and work, while at the same time break the stereotype of walking these halls in white as I add in positive pieces that allow me the space to be greater. This reality is just a fleeting mist, but the future is a shifting paradigm that gives innovation room to break through the soil of life and produce a harvest. (Reginald L.)

I chose innovation as my favorite driving value. When I first heard it, I did not favor it, honestly, because I got homework in my accountability group for not memorizing the definition. As I began to study my flash cards for the 10 Driving Values, innovation really stuck to me because it was forcing me see my current situation and really challenged my thinking to start creating a blueprint of who I wanted to be. I’ve been stuck in a junkie stereotype mindset for too long. My new future is being shaped daily through the help of my Lord Jesus Christ and all my PEP family. (Jacob Z.)

To build off of life and create out of dreams, using our minds to better lives and create hope – this is the power of innovation. I have always been creative and artistic, utilizing ideas for a positive cause. This enables me to network with people effectively and unlock a bigger picture for me, allowing me to understand that the greatest innovator of all time is God, who created us with his breath and gave us minds that are able to dream, making ideas reality. I will continue to use innovation as a personal tool to create a life of love, finding new ways to make this world a better place. (Chase N.)

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

My favorite Driving Value is integrity. In prison, you have a lot of time to yourself. In these moments, you learn to cherish them by doing something with the time, such as studying, reading, writing letters, or whatever the case may be. However, there is something you can practice whether with people or alone, and it’s called integrity. In laymen’s terms, it’s doing the right thing when no one is looking. Integrity can be interpreted in a number of ways, but the value remains true. Whichever definition – either connotative or denotative – that you choose to believe as true in your heart will develop the good habit of integrity. Stay true to your endeavors in life; stay true also to the Holy Spirit, your family and your PEP brothers, and no one will ever be able to question your integrity. Integrity is one of the best traits a human being can have, not just in business, but in life. Use this time to refine your integrity in these liminal carceral spaces; I know I have. (Will M.)

Although all values have purpose in a man’s character, integrity defines my desired path most. Without integrity, a person can never live out a full understanding of all other values because integrity is the lifelong commitment to doing things right – integrity at home, in the workplace and in our communities. Without it, a man is simply building on sand. Uncompromising integrity not only builds an unbreakable confidence in men who live by it but develops parallel support from those who both stand beside and follow them as well. Having impeccable integrity displays a deeper respect and tolerance for one another; anything less creates a competitive “us versus them” attitude. Integrity is the Driving Value making true success possible because it is the supreme quality of leadership. I have arrived at this understanding through a deep comparison of personal experience of living life with and without integrity. (Cody H.)

Integrity is my favorite Driving Value because I feel like it is a lost value, or at lesat one that isn’t taught to most people. Doing the right thing even when no one is looking is how I define integrity. It is one of those things that is overlooked constantly, and you don’t see people displaying it often enough. In order to hold others accountable for their actions, you need to do so with yourself first. This is also the first step in truly changing yourself for the better as well. I associate integrity with trustworthiness because you can’t have one without the other, and if you can’t trust someone, you tend to not want to be around them. (Joseph K.)

We say what needs to be said, not simply what people want to hear. In Matthew 16:21-23, Jesus speaks about his coming death. From that time on, Jesus began to explain to his disciples what would happen to him. He told them he must go to Jerusalem. There, he must suffer many things from the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law. He must be killed and on the third day rise to life again. But Peter didn’t want to hear what Jesus wanted them to really hear, but only what he wanted to hear. (Lee M.)

This Driving Value is one of my favorite ones. For the longest time, I had integrity. This value was put to use daily, but for the wrong reason. It wasn’t until I got to PEP that it was brought to my attention. Now I can apply this Driving Value to my job when I get out by doing the right thing when no one is looking. (Hector I.)

My favorite of the 10 Driving Values is integrity because it’s what so many of my fellow classmates have in common. Integrity is an adherence to a code of values. Put more simply, it is doing what is right when no one is looking. I think that’s what real integrity is. Even while in this “no wiggle room” accountability program, I see people romanticize about breaking the rules and laughing about it. Those who never learn from their mistakes are bound to repeat them. (Rick J.)

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

I chose love as my favorite Driving Value because without love, none of the other Driving Values would exist. I recently found out that God is love! And God is everything and everywhere, so I try to show love as often as I can. There are also times where tough love is necessary. If I see my brother slipping or doing something he knows he has no business doing, I have no problem reminding him that we hold ourselves to a higher standard. But I’ll make sure he knows that I come from a place of love. I was raised by my two sisters and my mom, so love and affection come naturally. (Joe Q.)

I chose love as my favorite Driving Value because it’s an area I sometimes fall short in and one I’m always striving to be better at. Love to me is family. It’s relationships with the people I care about most. But love doesn’t stop there. Love comes in many forms. It’s deep passion; it’s a kind word; it’s sharing a meal or giving a hug. In the Bible, it says, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” But this should go beyond neighbors to strangers, animals, etc. Everything done in love is beautiful. It’s something the world needs more of. Love is something I wouldn’t want to live without. Being surrounded by people I care for and who care for me, who we can laugh and grieve with together, where we can be ourselves with no shame or guilt – that is love. (Robert K.)

Love is my favorite Driving Value because love is always a powerful motivator. It pushes people beyond normal standards in life. At times, it overcomes all reasoning and limits to perform great wonders and impossible things that no one has ever seen done before with unstoppable drive and determination. It also brings out the best in people if nurtured rightly and shared with the world. (Jeremy R.)

When a person uses the word love, it can be construed as having only one meaning. In the past, many of us have used this word loosely without giving it much thought as to how this word is truly defined. Throughout this incarceration, many of us have learned firsthand what “love” truly embodies. The selfless sacrifices we have seen others make can only be described as love. This service in love is a journey we too shall embark upon soon enough. (Jose J.)

I pick love, due to the fact that love is in all aspects of life. We were taught love at a young age, and it will stick with us until we are no longer here. It is my favorite Driving Value because in order to be successful in any aspect of life you have to love. Whether it be your job, relationship or other things, you have to love wholeheartedly. In the job aspect, if you do what you love, you enjoy waking up and going to work. (Cody G.)

I would have to say my favorite Driving Value is love because I never had a brotherhood like PEP before, and they have shown me a lot of love. When you express love to people who never had it, it opens doors for them. I was taught that the more love you show a person, the more you will get. Love is everywhere and is an amazing trait to have. I would say I’m a loving person, even more so because of the brotherhood we’ve built here at PEP. The traits I’ve learned from my brothers are all shown with love. So yes, love is my favorite Driving Value. Please keep love in your heart. (Deondre J.)

I chose love because I am really big on family, and that is where I feel loved. But before you can love somebody, you have to love yourself and have some type of love with your higher power. What comes with love is loyalty, patience and unselfishness. These are all things I am and that I expect in my significant other, family and friends. (Charles D.)

Love is easily my favorite Driving Value. Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful, nor is it proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable and keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful and endures through every circumstance. It is written in I Corinthians 13:13 that three things will last forever are “faith hope and love – and the greatest of these is love.” In my opinion, love surpasses all the other Driving Values. (David M.)

Love is kind. Love is patient. Love is compassionate. Love is unconditional, but also can be tough. Love is my favorite Driving Value because it brings me closer to God. In order to love anyone around me, I must first love God and myself. Love is not only a strong word; love also brings strong feelings and emotions. Without love, I feel like the world would be evil and dark because certain people wouldn’t know how to lift (or hold) one another up. Love also brings joy to people who have bad energy. Some people don’t get the proper love from their loved ones. We all have the same purpose in life, and that purpose is to love. (Jonathan C.)

If I had to pick a value that best describes me, it would have to be love. Imagine a world where every person showed unconditional love toward one another, regardless of race, creed, nationality or gender. Imagine the peace that the world would feel. The Bible states in I Corinthians 13 that love is necessary. If I do not have love, I have nothing at all. Every day, I strive to show love in every aspect of my life. This is the value that I cherish most. (Kody R.)

Love is my favorite Driving Value because it’s a value that we need in order to grow. Astoundingly, love is what we share with the world, our family and most importantly, the PEP brotherhood. We all want to be successful and do what makes us happy. We all hope to do what we love, whether that means helping others or providing a product or service. Being an entrepreneur isn’t easy. With that in mind, one would have to love doing whatever it takes to be successful. This is why I firmly believe that love is the bottom line in terms of both humanity and in being an entrepreneur. (Manual M.)

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

Servant-Leader Mentality is my favorite Driving Value because it is a fundamental calling of manhood. Men are called to lead by example and to practice leadership, not just authority. The distinction between authority and leadership cannot be grasped unless the dynamics of Servant-Leader Mentality are fully understood and adopted. Leaders must extend grace and kindness in order to see it reciprocated. Servant-Leader Mentality creates trust and removes the traditional barriers of an uneven power dynamic. Trust cannot be achieved without stewardship. Servant-Leader Mentality is the key to removing traditional, ineffective dynamics which hinder trust. It enables men to fulfill their fundamental calling. (Sylvester B.)

All of the Driving Values fascinate me because they each mean something to me, but my favorite one is Servant-Leader Mentality. In order to actually live by the 10 Driving Values, you need to be a leader. I have siblings and friends who look up to me. As a leader, I’m driving the boat, and I will not steer them in any way that will cause them harm. I always show them right from wrong and hold them accountable because I love them and want the best for them. As a role model and leader, I make sure they trust me so they can open up to me, but I also remind them that they have potential. For these reasons, they respect me because they know I won’t let the boat sink. We all look forward to learning from each other because we respect each other. (Luis J.)

Servant-Leader Mentality is one of my favorite Driving Values because it has humbled me enough to help people in all aspects of life. Being in a position of leadership, you not only have to “talk the talk” but also “walk the walk” and set the example for others to follow. I want to help bring out the best version of each man so that his inner light shines brightly, even if I need to put all my priorities aside. We are only as strong as the weakest link, and in PEP we are all strong because of our Servant-Leader Mentality. Being able to serve others is the definition of a true leader because it allows us to relate well with others and helps our brothers prosper. (Brandon H.)

Servant-Leader Mentality is definitely my favorite Driving Value. I receive the greatest reward and fulfillment in serving others. I believe that a great leader leads by putting others’ best interests before his own. People want to be led by someone they know truly cares about them and has their best interest at heart. People will follow the one they know loves them and is willing to lay down their life for them. When people feel loved and secure, they will give you their all. You lead by serving those you wish to follow. (Sergio G.)

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, to me, is being responsible enough to stay committed to using the things given to me accordingly. When being a steward, you are responsible for having enough integrity to do what is right. By having enough dedication to prove to others that you can be trusted to do what needs to be done, you allow them to not only depend on you more but also entrust you with more. When you make the conscious decision to do right with someone else’s property, then you will be able to understand why you can always be placed in trustworthy positions, whether financial and operational. (Gregory H.)

To be a wise steward entails so much more than strictly financial arrangements. In being the man you and your loved ones deserve, you need to learn the art of Wise Stewardship when it comes to having a healthy work/life balance. Even more than that, you must be a wise steward of the love and trust that others who pour into your life and growth share, because this is truly a rare commodity. The best way you can achieve that goal is by always putting God first and asking for His guidance in all your decisions. Everything you are, know or will become is a gift from God, so be wise in your application of it. To quote Anne Frank, “God wishes to see people happy … where there is hope, there is life.” So, be a wise steward of the hope that people have in you. (Steven M.)