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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 \u201cno wiggle room\u201d accountability program with participants.<\/i><\/p>\n
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.<\/i><\/p>\n
Accountability<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n Accountability is my favorite Driving Value because it is what I lacked as a man. Part of becoming a better man is having to take responsibility for my actions. Prior to my incarceration, I justified my decisions. Right or wrong, I had an explanation. Now I am man enough to own my actions. I am not always right. At times, when I am wrong or made a bad decision, I own it. I take responsibility as a man. Accountability is what I struggled with the most. I have worked with this value to the point that I have mastered it. I am proud to say I take full responsibility for my actions, and I will live with the decisions I make. (Keith D.)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The hardest thing for me to do is to hold myself accountable for my own actions. Admitting when I am wrong was hard for me to swallow. It is so easy to blame others which is always the easy way out. To do the right thing is twice as hard for me. At the same time, taking full accountability for myself is much more rewarding. (Benigno R.)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Accountability is an obligation because we all have to accept responsibility for our actions and behaviors. It is a practice of excellence, mindfulness and positive choices. It helps you to be a better and more thoughtful person. Accountability is not just an act or idea. It involves many components like listening, learning, taking responsibility and changing. Accountability involves consistently creating opportunities for direct communication, better understanding and making amends. (Jhunrae L.)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Accountability is my favorite 10 Driving Value. Accountability comes down to three words: \u201cyou own it.\u201d If you make mistakes, then you own it. It\u2019s on you. Whether you did it or you didn\u2019t do it, you are responsible for your actions. There is no one else to point a finger at but yourself. Why? Because you own it. To me, the key to accountability is understanding the decisions you make have consequences. You have to be able to accept those consequences and all they entail. The temporary pain that comes from owning it and being accountability has a silver lining: when you own a problem, then you can actually fix the problem and feel good about it. You don\u2019t have to find others to blame or find exterior circumstances to excuse your behavior. Just own it and be accountable. Once I accepted my past without letting it write my future story, I began my accountability journey. I am still on that same journey today, equipping myself, my environment, and my life. Without the Prison Entrepreneurship Program (PEP), its leadership and my PEP brothers, I would not have accountability in my life. I would not have been transformed into the better man I am today. PEP has taught me that instead of being a victim, I am victorious because of accountability. (Chad E.)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Accountability has always been something I\u2019ve struggled with and lacked prior to coming to prison. I have come to realize that if there is someone to hold you accountable out of love, then it makes you aware of your flaws and vices. Without knowing these things, how are we supposed to change them and become better people? That is why this aspect of the program is my favorite. It literally requires all nine of the other values to work properly and effectively. If you are operating out of love, using integrity and saying what people need to hear, then by using a \u201cFresh Start\u201d Outlook, we can begin analyzing our inner self to change. I came to this program to take accountability for my mistakes. Now I have the tools to do just that. (Zachariah A.)<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”Excellence” _builder_version=”4.17.3″ custom_padding=”|20px||20px||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\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\u2014leadership 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.<\/i><\/p>\n Excellence<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n Excellence is a trait that we should all strive to perfect. Obtaining this quality and making it a value that you live by can only add richness to one\u2019s life. Striving for excellence does not stop when applied to one area of your life, but instead it spills over to all that you do \u2013 so don’t settle for less or even mediocrity, because when you choose to pursue excellence, that excellence bleeds into all that you do. The pursuit of excellence can only lead to a great life, great achievements and a well-lived life. (Eusebio C.)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n My favorite Driving Value is Excellence because I recently have been very intentional about applying it to my everyday life. I\u2019ve always been a slacker and took shortcuts. Excellence is something completely different from what I have always known. It is very challenging to be excellent. It means being thorough and paying attention to the small things. To me, being excellent is going the extra mile, being above average and putting forth my best effort. When I operate out of excellence, it boosts my confidence and makes me feel accomplished. I am proud to be the best version of myself. (Jerry C.)<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”Execution” _builder_version=”4.17.3″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n We place an emphasis on execution\u2014the 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.<\/i><\/p>\n Execution<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n Execution is my favorite value because the importance of execution is conveyed in every aspect of life. Execution enables us to complete any task in a timely manner. This is important in work because it shows that we know what we are doing and that we are able to do it well. I approach every task with execution at the forefront of my mind. It speaks to who I am as a person. (Eduardo C.)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n My favorite Driving Value is execution because just like anything else in life, when you do something for so long, it becomes a habit. To get anything done in life, execution is required. When you set goals for yourself and follow your dreams, nothing would be achievable without execution. The hardest, but best, part of execution to master is executing on the things that you typically hate doing. That is why execution is my favorite value. When you learn how to execute things you hate to do, life gets easier. You will start feeling unphased by any problems or \u201cbumps in the road\u201d because to you, there’s not anything you cannot handle. Finally, it takes execution to be good at anything in life: to be a good father, son, husband, civilian, worker, and even a good boss. Execution is vital in life. (Fouad A.)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I love the Driving Value of execution! The reason this value speaks volumes is because in the past, I had a problem with finishing things. This problem permeated almost every aspect of my life, as I would either choose the path of least resistance or simply veer off the path. These days, I make execution part of my \u201cbeing,\u201d meaning how I do one thing is how I do everything. I challenge myself in all areas of my life without quitting or opting out. I feel as if \u201cexecution\u201d of the task at hand is simply taking a step forward on the path of life. By doing the hard things, the uncomfortable things and going the extra mile, while also making this a good habit, will make up for all the times I didn\u2019t execute in the past. (Arieus W.)<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”Fresh Start Outlook” _builder_version=”4.17.3″ custom_padding=”|||20px||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n 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.<\/i><\/p>\n \u201cFresh Start\u201d Outlook<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cFresh Start\u201d Outlook is one of my favorite Driving Values because I am about to be released in three months. At first, I was living my life all wrong. I was not doing the things I needed to be doing as a man. I was not holding myself accountable to a higher standard, and this was what led me here to the Prison Entrepreneurship Program. PEP has really taught me a lot. It has changed me and helped me develop my character by challenging my thinking. Now I can say that I am a better man with a positive attitude. I have a different perspective on life. When I get released, I want to find a good job so I can provide for my family. I am going to be a better father to my kids and spend plenty of time with them. I want to be a better man for my family and my girlfriend. When I get out, hopefully one day we will get married. I want to continue to get closer to God and find a church to attend to so I can be a man of Christ. (Howard L.)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cFresh Start\u201d Outlook means not just changing your ways, but throwing away your old view of life and starting fresh. Getting rid of your old way of life and changing into a new you. To see the world in a whole new perspective and make a brand new you. That is what \u201cFresh Start\u201d Outlook means to me and also why it is my favorite value out of the 10 Driving Values. (Matthew A.)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n My favorite Driving Value would have to be \u201cFresh Start\u201d Outlook. The old outlook and mentality we had in life is what led us all to prison, but by the grace of God, we have all been given a second chance and landed in this program. My outlook has completely changed for the better, and I cannot wait to get out and live a beautiful life by applying the values and principles that are now instilled in me. I believe it is extremely important to have a \u201cFresh Start\u201d Outlook if you truly want to achieve your full potential. (Anthony L.)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cFresh Start\u201d Outlook is my favorite of the 10 Driving Values because it is the one that fills me with the most hope. I have made a lot of mistakes in my life and got close to giving up on myself. This value lets me see things in a different light and has helped me forgive myself for my past. I realize now that if you do not change your outlook, you are doomed to repeat your mistakes. This value also gives people a great opportunity to be seen differently by those around them. (Justin C.)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u201cFresh Start\u201d Outlook has to be my favorite. I mean, who doesn’t want a fresh start? So many people wish they could just hit the reset button and start over. Having a fresh start is almost like a “do over.” As I am getting close to my release and I truly understand \u201cFresh Start\u201d Outlook, I am getting a chance to do things right, make better choices and be a better person for myself. In PEP, we hold ourselves to a high standard when it comes to accountability, owning our mistakes and learning from them so we can grow and be better men for our families. So, with this fresh start, I plan to do just that! (Antonio D.)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n My favorite Driving Value would be \u201cFresh Start\u201d Outlook, mainly because this value plays a vital role in my ideas. In order for me to grow strong in my transition, I must take this seriously, even after my release, to maintain freedom. The biggest factor in change starts within the mind \u2013 for me, change is serious. That is why this is my favorite Driving Value. I remind myself every day that my thoughts and actions are in my control. I truly thank the Father up above and PEP for access to being able to understand and apply this. All glory to God. Amen. (Kentrell J.)<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”Fun” _builder_version=”4.17.3″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n <\/i><\/p>\n 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.<\/i><\/p>\n Fun <\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n My favorite Driving Value is fun because growing up was not very fun for me. Now whatever the situation may be, I try to make it as fun as possible, whether it is going to work or doing homework. Having fun while working make it easier and helps pass the time. I like laughing and having a good time with others. This is why I choose fun as my favorite out of the 10 Driving Values. (Dylan M.)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Fun is my favorite of the 10 Driving Values. Why, you may ask? I believe that life is fun and it should always be enjoyed and lived to the fullest. The world is a very big place and has so much to offer that is both fun and full of adventure. As humans, we are built to enjoy all aspects of life, such as people, places and all that life and the world offers. Having fun is not only an important part of life, but it’s also important in terms of health for everyone around you! Everyone loves to have fun! (Jamy W.)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n I would have to say \u201cfun\u201d would be my favorite Driving Value. Yes, they are all great and very important, but for me, I love having fun. Life is way too short not to have fun and be serious all the time. Yes, there is a time and a place for everything, but I truthfully think you should incorporate fun into everything you do. Me personally, I have been in some pretty negative situations in life, and no matter what was going on, I have always tried to find the positive in it and have fun no matter what in some way, shape or form. If you ask the guys on my wing, they will tell you that I have too much fun sometimes. I personally do not see a problem with it. Because when it is time to be serious, I take care of my business. Like I said, life is way too short because you can be here one day and gone the next, so why not live every minute like it is your last and have a little fun? It definitely wouldn’t hurt you, plus you never know what the next person may be going through or dealing with, and having a little fun can get their mind off of whatever might be troubling them. So, take a step back, enjoy life and cherish every moment: the good, the bad and the ugly, and try to have some fun. (Russel K.)<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”Innovation” _builder_version=”4.17.3″ custom_margin=”||36px|||” custom_padding=”|||20px||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n 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.<\/i><\/p>\n Innovation<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n I believe that this Driving Value is extremely important because as people, we have to be able to be open-minded and try new things. During the times when I was stuck in my ways and unwilling to change, those were always the worst times of my life. The ability to reinvent oneself in a positive way is a beautiful thing that everyone should learn how to do. Using innovation, we can literally transform ourselves into the person we want to become and achieve great things. Knowing how to apply this value in your life can make all your dreams come true, and that is why it is my favorite. (Justin C.)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n My favorite Driving Value is Innovation, since it really describes seeing beyond perceptions and current realities. I always see what is behind people’s motives to help avoid those who try to label people as stereotypes. I have always been innovative, and it has gotten me pretty far in life. I’m currently trying to avoid watching television, so I cannot spend time sitting in front of it. Also, I have always taught others how to work on stuff so I can shape new futures in knowledge. Now after learning about all 10 Driving Values, I will share them with others to better mankind. (Rodolfo M.)<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”Integrity” _builder_version=”4.17.3″ min_height=”60px” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\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.<\/i><\/p>\n Integrity<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Integrity is my favorite Driving Value. I feel that being honest with others about a situation and giving them the response that they need to hear helps them understand that growth is needed and how they can better themselves for success. Saying what people want to hear will get them nowhere and keep them stuck there. I cannot be a \u201cyes man\u201d to anyone. That would be selfish of me to just agree with someone to keep the peace but keep them from their full potential. I also need to continue working on the other Driving Values as well because growth is a must for me, my family, my PEP brothers and everyone around me. (Jermaine B.)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Integrity is my favorite Driving Value. To me it means more than just speaking truth \u2013 it means embodying truth wholeheartedly and living it out. I often relate this value to my personal credit score. Being credible offers reasonable grounds for being believed in the first place. I understand that being truthful to yourself, as well as others, allows room for growth and opens doors to opportunity. Applying this value is imperative because by neglecting it, our lives could be dramatically affected. For example, if one of my PEP brothers asked me something simple like, \u201cShould I have handled a particular situation differently?”and my response was, \u201cYou were in the right,\u201c even though I knew it could have been resolved a better way, I would be lacking this Driving Value in my life. I always evaluate myself with deep introspection to make sure that I live “between the wings” and have integrity. (DeAris D.)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n My favorite Driving Value now is integrity. Throughout my life, I have surrounded myself with \u201cyes men.\u201d This means that people never told me the behavior I was exhibiting was wrong. I did not want people to hold me to any type of standard, so I acquired friends who had no integrity. Belonging to those kinds of people, I walked the same path, having no integrity in keeping my word, staying sober or even being honest about past or future actions. I think the most important area of my life that I lacked in integrity was in being a father to my daughters. To be honest, coming to terms with this has been painful, but it is the most important form of integrity to me because saying or doing what needs to be said or done starts with myself. This Driving Value is not my favorite because it is easy or fun, because it\u2019s not. This is my favorite because I see the areas where I’ve failed and now, having integrity has helped me improve so I can become a better man because of this. (Thomas J.)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n All of these values are forms of morals and standards that should abide in you, as you believe and practice them wholeheartedly. I pride myself on two, but honestly I feel this value of Integrity is the primary asset I possess. Having it allows positivity, production and productivity. I\u2019ve been able to exemplify honesty, and it has put me in scenarios that dishonesty would never have allowed. People who prey on ignorance, na\u00efvet\u00e9 or inexperience are only motivated to take advantage. I feel that in order to have Fun, Love, a Servant-Leader Mentality and Execution in your life, Integrity has to be on display. Without honesty, a person\u2019s bearing can be off. Anyone I have known or have done business with can trust me because I always keep it professional, whether they wanted to hear the truth or not. I\u2019m attentive and receptive because I listen and give advice\/constructive feedback and use tact. (Rodney W.)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n For me, Integrity is the result of the union of whole values executed in one character. One person with values and principles can be described as integrated. They know what they want and who they are; they have security in themselves; and, most importantly, their actions are questioned according to their values, which means that their security is based on their honesty. (Erick E.)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n My favorite Driving Value out of the ten is Integrity. What I know is that it means doing the correct thing when nobody else is around or anyone else knows about it. I learned the importance of this value when I was what stood between life and death. My line of work is very dangerous. It is my responsibility to monitor confined spaces for hazardous gases prior to, during and even after entry of personnel. Sometimes it is difficult to maintain a regular reading of the confined spaces prior or even every 10 minutes with a four-gas monitor. If we do not acquire the permit before entering or open without a gas reading, we can be reprimanded or disciplined. When somebody asks if the reading is done and if they can enter, I must have integrity and tell the truth because there may be poisonous gas inside. I have learned that it is crucial to always do the correct thing and tell the truth, even when it’s inconvenient. (Christian G.)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n My favorite Driving Value is Integrity. It is my favorite because you speak your mind and get to say what you are really feeling without sugarcoating it. People nowadays do not speak about things that need to be said, and then they wonder why things are not changing. In order for change, different actions are required. One can say what needs to be said, not what others want to hear, and still be the same. That\u2019s why integrity is my favorite. (Ezequias T.)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n My favorite 10 Driving Value is Integrity. I believe that the majority of people lack integrity this day in age. Many people only want to hear what pleases their sensibilities, in the same way society today likes to try cancel or silence people who have any differing opinions or present facts that contradict the current narrative. I believe integrity is exercising your strength as you stand for the truth and stick to the convictions of being a man of God, guided by truth in the face of opposition, persecution or being exiled. Integrity is also adhering to righteousness even when nobody else is watching. I love integrity so much because the more you exercise it, the more it separates you from the masses. Integrity is what sets us apart from the world. (Matthew K.)<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”Love” _builder_version=”4.17.3″ custom_padding=”|||20px||” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n 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.<\/i><\/p>\n Love<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n Out of the 10 Driving Values, Love is my favorite because I believe that love is the most powerful thing in our lives. Love has the power to change anybody and help us forgive those who sin against us. It\u2019s because of love that many of us choose to change on a daily basis. For example, it is the love that I have for my family that gives me the strength to push through, even in the most uncomfortable situations. I love them so much that I just want to make them happy. (Oscar T.)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Love is my favorite 10 Driving Value because we all want to love and be loved. It is life\u2019s magic elixir. Perhaps the most important part of cultivating and maintaining impartial lovingkindness is that one\u2019s own mind and body feels loved and protected. When love is hard or painful, open your heart even further. Cultivate a wish to clear the suffering of all beings away. This advice \u2013 to cultivate boundless love for all sentient beings when we are parted from those we love \u2013 is a great lesson for us all. When our love is tired or has its limits, we can choose to open our hearts further and tap into a more expansive love. We can open up to greater love in moments of sorrow because vulnerability and compassion are intertwined. As it turns out, when we contemplate the suffering of others and open our hearts further, it actually gives us more strength, purpose and endurance. Opening our hearts awakens our intrinsic courage because our compassion and natural heroism are connected. (Khristian M.)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Love is my favorite of all the 10 Driving Values. The world needs love in order to improve. Love can be defined as a strong positive emotion of regard and affection, warmth, devotion and compassion. If I could speak all the languages of the earth and of angels, but did not love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. All you need is love. God loved the world so much that he sent his only son to die on the cross for our sins. Love is an emotion, action and idea, all at the same time. Only love can conquer hate. (Michael G.)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n My favorite Driving Value is Love because everybody needs love. I enjoy supporting people and helping others. If they need a shot of coffee, I will give it to them. When people are down, I will give them advice. I will show love and support for my PEP brothers and those on the outside. This is why I chose love to be my favorite Driving Value. (Nicholas B.)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Love is my favorite Driving Value. Love has gotten me hurt in the past, but with that same love I have hurt the most important people in my life. You see, love is gentle and soft, and if you misuse it, you will hurt someone you love. Love is unconditional and regardless of the situation or circumstances, love will not change. Upon my release, love is something I will cherish and nurture and never take advantage of. To me, love is the “go to” for developing anyone\u2019s character. (Juan G.)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Love is my favorite of the 10 Driving Values. Love can be shown in many ways. Through love, each of the Driving Values can be achieved. The Bible says, \u201cLove God with all your heart; and love others as yourself.\u201d Showing others love is vital to the success of the human race, so show everyone love. (Christopher B.)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Unselfish, loyal and benevolent concern for others \u2013 that’s my definition of love. Love is my favorite Driving Value, and PEP has shown me that all people and everything is deserving of love. Before my incarceration, I always reserved love for close family. I now realize that expressing love is going to be one of the many factors that help me stay free. I have truly learned how to express myself through love. I still have a lot to learn, but these Driving Values contribute so much to the development of my character. (Joe R.)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n There are a lot of reasons why Love is my favorite of the 10 Driving Values. For example, when you love someone and you do things for them to help them out, you don\u2019t expect anything in return. Another reason is that when you love someone, you truly care about them and want the best for them. You do not hurt them or let them down. My last and favorite reason will be because our Lord Jesus Christ said that our greatest commandment is to love both God and our neighbor. (Jose B.)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Love is my favorite Driving Value because PEP is nothing but love. I’ve never seen such a strong brotherhood. It is something that helps motivates me each day to be stronger. Knowing that I can trust and rely on the next man right beside me, it helps build trust and a bond, knowing that the man right next to you is going through the same stuff. But to overcome it together is very powerful. (Dakota M.)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Love would have to be my favorite of the 10 Driving Values. Love is the ultimate universal currency. Love can uplift those around you to a higher level of elevation. To know love is to know God. To know God is to know love. Because God is love, in order to truly know how to love, you must love yourself. I believe that our ability to love others is limited only by our capacity to love ourselves. Love brings peace, happiness, comfort, motivation, and so many more positive attributes that help raise people up and help to elevate one another as a whole. (Stephen D.)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Out of the 10 Driving Values, Love is my favorite. The feeling of being loved and showing it is a whole different experience that I am sure every one of us cherishes. Genuine love is a strong feeling that pushes me to be the best version of myself. It gives me motivation to strive and want more out of life, not only for me but for those around me. I am very blessed to be a part of this program. We are nothing but blessed that all of us made it through the trials and tribulations. To get to the position we are in today, my fellow brothers and I showed up for each other, poured a lot of love into one another and kept each other from falling, and that ended up being a blessing in itself. (Alvaro C.)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Love is my favorite PEP Driving Value. That’s not just because love is one of Jesus’s commandments but because it is needed to really complement all other values. Without love, I cannot show fun. Without love, I cannot aim to show excellence. And without love, I cannot be fully accountable. It is through love that I aim to contribute to all the other values. (Alan V.)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Out of the 10 Driving Values, my favorite one is Love. The man that the Lord has called for me to be is a man that has overcome darkness by being forgiven, redeemed and restored, transformed by the Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord gave me a vision; self-control and discipline; peace and dedication; and discernment and direction. I will be a blessing to bless people. I will be humble and lead by example. All glory to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for counting me in when people counted me out, and for believing in me when I did not believe in myself. He gave me life, a new beginning, and a fresh start. He has cleansed me by His blood on the cross. And he has made me a new creation. My life is not my own, and I owe it to my Lord Jesus Christ. I surrender. (Christopher W.)<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”Servant-Leader Mentality” _builder_version=”4.17.3″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n 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.<\/i><\/p>\n Servant-Leader Mentality<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Servant-Leader Mentality is one of my favorite Driving Values because this has helped me realize how selfish we are in life. We always put ourselves first without thinking about others. When reading through some books of successful people, they all have something in common: they all are involved in some type of charity. They donate money or their time helping others, giving them a bigger sense of satisfaction by serving others first. All of this has inspired me to think differently, because if I want to be successful in life, I need to learn how to serve others and be part of our community and help our community grow. In this program, my goal is to be a better servant so that by the time I go home, I’ll reenter society with a different mentality and be a better citizen by getting involved in my community. (Jose T.)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n My favorite Driving Value is Servant-Leader Mentality. To be a good leader, you have to be a good servant first. We have to lead by example, and we have to be a good example so that our new brothers who are coming in can see a different way of acting and thinking. If we want to change the world, we must start with ourselves first. This value is my favorite because you can be a good servant while also being an excellent servant who stands as a leader. This is my favorite Driving Value because in both “servant” and “leader,” you have to be humble as you show love and integrity; you also need to execute your plan and be accountable. Being a God-fearing man, He will lead me the way I should go. Amen. (Ernesto M.)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Of the 10 Driving Values, I would say that Servant-Leader Mentality is my favorite value. It is a value that I will need to practice daily in PEP, as well as in my community, once I am released. I must also practice all of the other Driving Values in order to have a servant-leader mentality. I seek to be a supportive and participative leader, influencing others in servitude and not being afraid to put in the effort. I still have so much to learn about having a Servant-Leader Mentality. I know that practicing this value will help me grow and develop me into an asset for my community. (Alfred L.)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n My favorite Driving Value is Servant-Leader Mentality, because I believe leading means you have to set a bar for others to follow. This is extremely important to me because I would not want to lead or be led down a negative path. As men, we are natural leaders and we must lead by example. It shows people that you are not embarrassed to do what is right. When we do small acts with no intention to be a leader, others notice and tend to follow in those same steps. I believe that is what makes a great leader, that is why servant-leader mentality is my favorite Driving Value. (Joseph A.)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Servant-Leader Mentality is my favorite of the 10 Driving Values. It is honestly a wonderful feeling knowing that by doing the right thing you are influencing others to do it also. I feel that leadership is more than a title or a position; it is a way of thinking and a commitment to serve the people around you. A great leader knows that it is his\/her job to make sure the people following them feel confident in doing so. To be the best leader you can be, you must learn the needs of the people and try to help them reach the highest version of myself. (Jonathan G.)<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”Wise Stewardship” _builder_version=”4.17.3″ global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n 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\u2019 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.<\/i><\/p>\n Wise Stewardship<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/u><\/strong><\/p>\n Being a wise steward goes far beyond donating funds. Wise Stewardship involves listening, leading and teaching. These are true things that need to happen. With these tools, one can educate another individual, which can help that person go down a positive path in life. Wise Stewardship is one of the most important elements of PEP’s 10 Driving Values. (Benigno R.)<\/p>\n <\/p>\n My favorite Driving Value is Wise Stewardship. The dictionary defines “wise” as having or being prompted by wisdom or discernment. The dictionary then defines being a “steward” as someone who manages property or other affairs for someone else. I believe this is a really important part of not only the program, but of both everyday life and your walk with Christ. In the program, we have to manage our time in the current class while also encouraging the development of the pre-class men with words of encouragement and positive affirmations as they transition into the next class, just as we will transition into from being in the current class to being Servant-Leaders. Upon being released, we have to continue displaying this value in our walk with Christ in order to be wise stewards of the Lord’s Word to bring as many brothers and sisters to Him by our walk and in our every action. I give Him all the glory. (Rodney P.)<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_toggle][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" [et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_toggle title=”Accountability” _builder_version=”4.17.3″ global_colors_info=”{}”] 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 […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-9346","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/family.pep.org\/estes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/9346","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/family.pep.org\/estes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/family.pep.org\/estes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/family.pep.org\/estes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/family.pep.org\/estes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=9346"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/family.pep.org\/estes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/9346\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10454,"href":"https:\/\/family.pep.org\/estes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/9346\/revisions\/10454"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/family.pep.org\/estes\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=9346"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}