Week 10

Week in Review

Monday December 17, 2018

Today we started off by going to the computer lab. We were able to see what our business advisors shared with us through their research. The morning class also had the opportunity to go over financial resources and business plans. But then there were some of us who were finishing up our class assignments as well.

Another thing we did today was Toastmasters. First, we all prayed-in as a group and honored God. We then had one of our Peer Educators go over a short presentation on integrity selling, which is very important for our next event. Then there was our in-prison management, who enlightened us on or graduation visitation list. After that, we received information on who would be speaking for today. We were all well prepared to be called on if needed. Today we had a total of 15 speakers. Those of us who spoke were assigned to speak from our Competent Communication manual. Our objectives were to select the right words and sentence structure to communicate our ideas clearly, accurately and vividly. We also had to eliminate jargon, unnecessary words, and use correct grammar. Our speeches today were five to seven minutes long. In between the speeches, we were asked, “If you could be any fruit or vegetable, which one would you be and why?” Overall, our class did exceptionally well. We concluded our class the same way we began it, with prayer.

Alfredo N. (a.k.a. “Basket Robbins”)

Tuesday December 18, 2018

Today was a very successful day. We woke up around 5 a.m. and, as always, God is first. So after we gave thanks and asked for guidance, it was time to start our day. Since it was Tuesday, some of us had the opportunity to work in the PEP room as a doorman.  Being the doorman to us is an honor. Some of us have been given the opportunity to greet everyone who enters the PEP room. All the participants who were scheduled for class today are in Phase One, an important part of the character development phase of the program. Once all of the Phase One participants were in the PEP room and found their assigned seating, we all came together and prayed in. We gave thanks to the Lord Jesus Christ and asked for guidance and a focused mind. Today we started the class with a Robert Lewis video, which also had an Authentic Manhood booklet to be filled out with key points from the video. Interacting with the video helps all of the participants obtain a better understanding of the material Robert Lewis was teaching.

After all of the material was covered, it was time to come together for group discussion. The groups were made of five to eight participants per group, in which we then discussed how today’s topic applies to our lives. After the discussion, the class received presentations from a few Phase Two brothers. The class went pretty smooth. We then proceeded to pray out, giving thanks to the Lord, and headed back to our housing areas.

Tyrone O. (a.k.a. “Major Payne”)

Wednesday December 19, 2018

We had a long day in class today. It was very fun and kind of stressful to see my PEP brothers push through, even though a lot of us failed the test on Living in the Village. We got to pray out our brother Richard H. and we also got to watch some brothers receive merit stickers for living out one of our 10 Driving Values, while some were recognized by other PEP brothers. Some of the brothers receiving recognition were Jarred G., Cedric R., Ricky H. and Jo Anthony O. Some of us received stickers for excellence, some for having fun with each other, and some received stickers for love and making sure no one goes hungry in the dorm. Someone gave me a sticker for wise stewardship – I make sure the dorm is always clean.

We also got the privilege to learn some interesting facts from executive volunteer Kirk N., who came and taught us Chapter Nine from our entrepreneurship book. We learned about the different legal forms of a business. We learned about sole proprietorships, partnerships and corporations. He taught us about patents, trademarks and copyrights. We learned about what type of license we will need to start our businesses. Overall, it was great advice and we are absolutely honored to have been blessed with the knowledge. So on behalf of my PEP brothers, I would like to thank Kirk N. again for volunteering and dedicating his time to the program. When all is said and done, today was a good day and I am thankful.

Jo Anthony O. (a.k.a. “Honey Buns”)

Thursday December 20, 2018

Today in class we had took a series of tests. The first test we took was on integrity selling. Our class was nervous at first, but everybody buckled down and completed the test. After the first difficult test, we relaxed and settled down. Our graduates had showed us a slide on the resume assignments that have to be done on the January 26th, and then we took the next test: the names test. We were confident because we all have known each other for six long months. As brothers, we push each other to do better and keep pushing all the way to the finish line. We all know our reward at the end is going to be so worth all the hard work and dedication we have put in.

To end the class, we watched some art history, learning about Édouard Manet and Claude Monet. They painted some very beautiful paintings. But overall, today was a very good day and we are ready to graduate and lead the next class. Our class has been pushing and striving through all the homework and long nights of studying. We finally have made it to the halfway point of Phase Two. I can feel graduation coming right around the corner! We’re going keep on pushing and making the impossible happen. To all my classmates and all my brothers reading this, remember this: we all have to stand for something or else die for nothing. Stay positive and continue to achieve success. We will succeed and prosper in life.

Anthony O. (a.k.a. “Wanda”)

Expressions

“Push beyond your limits.” – Unknown

“If you can see it, you can achieve it” – William Arthur Ward

I am a firm believer of self-belief. Your sense of who you are will determine your actions and what you end up getting in life. If you see your reach as limited, you will be helpless in the face of many difficulties. This will force you to keep your ambitions low and you will receive the “little” that you expect. Knowing this dynamic, you must train yourself for the opposite. So aim high and believe that you are destined for success and meant to be great.

This quote has definitely helped me a lot. It has altered my way of thinking. It has helped me realize how much of an impact the way I think and feel about myself contributes to my success. It determines where I will be in life. Now I know that if you’re always thinking negatively, then negative things are going to happen. And if you’re always thinking positive things, then positive things are going to happen in your life. Pushing beyond your limits will allow you to reach places you never could imagine. As they say, you never know how far you can go until you try. I will always push beyond my so-called limits. When all is said and done, the only limits we have are the ones we set in our own minds.

Deodrick P. (a.k.a. “Star Crunch”)