Week 20

Week in Review

Monday November 12, 2018

First of all, on behalf of all Fearless Fall ’18 classmates, we would like to say thank you to all of the veterans and happy Veteran’s Day. We’re so happy that we only have 26 days until graduation. It’s been a long road, but it’s coming to an end. The brotherhood and camaraderie that we’ve established is an awesome feeling. We’re building lifelong relationships that will impact our lives and futures forever.

We are practicing our pitches, fine-tuning them for our last pitch event. The Business Plan Competition (BPC) is exactly what it says: a competition. It’s a great feeling to see all of our brothers helping each other. We’re really down to the wire, and it’s not much for us to really be doing this late in the game. We are trying to help and encourage our brothers in Spring ’19 to study for all of the tests to come as well as trying to keep them uplifted about all the homework they get if they fail them.

Jeremie B. (a.k.a. “Chocolate Milkshake”)

Tuesday November 13, 2018

Today brought Fall ’18 a chance to practice our pitches. We are getting close to the big day, and everyone is polishing the final product. We are proud of the progress that each of us has made and look forward to hearing everyone’s business pitches.

For those who went to help Spring ’19’s Leadership Academy, they were able to teach the future class about time management. All of us can speak about how this program has helped us manage our time more effectively. After that, they learned all about Robert Lewis’s class, A Quest for Authentic Manhood. This is a class where we learned to address issues keeping us from being the man that our families, God and our community need us to be.

Brothers, as our time in this current class draws to an end, keep pushing forward – as a whole, our progress is amazing. Let’s keep up the good work!

Stephen G. (a.k.a. “Drew Carey”)

Wednesday November 14, 2018

We began our day with our super-awesome and wonderful Servant-Leader meeting! We went through all our exciting departments’ reports and viewed the most recent thrilling production of PEP news. Also, we are encouraged by everyone to stay focused and not slide back into old habits during this down time, and the best way to do that is to practice our pitches and help with Spring ‘19’s Leadership Academy class.

In the afternoon, we began by rehearsing our upcoming graduation. We are all stoked and demand perfection! In a sad but equally happy scenario, we prayed-out several brothers. It is sad to see them go, but we are thrilled that they are about to embark on their Fresh-Start! Just another outstanding day in our PEP journey!

Carlos H. (a.k.a. “Dusty Bottoms”)

Thursday November 15, 2018

Now that Fearless Fall ’18 has completed all the testing, there’s time to focus on our last pitches that will be delivered at the Business Plan Competition (BPC) event on December 6^th. The past several months have been a long road but very much worth it. With learning the ins and outs about ourselves in Phase One, to gaining all the knowledge for business through Phase Two, we’ve been provided with the necessary tools to help us become successful individuals once released back into society.

It’s awesome to see Fearless Fall ’18 step up and become Servant-Leaders for the Spring ’19 class. Just as much as we needed assistance, we’re here to lend a helping hand. Seeing the next man succeed is what this is all about. Thank you PEP. We’ll see everyone soon at graduation.

Matthew A. (a.k.a. “Snuggles”)

Friday November 16, 2018

As we awake each day our minds immediately go to the small number of days left in the Fall ’18 class. Graduation approaches at a ravenous pace, and after all the time and effort to get to this point, we won’t hesitate in stating our level of readiness.

The seasons are changing. At 6:30 a.m., we can see the sparkles of frost on the grass outside our cell’s window. This is a sharp contrast to the heat we experienced at the beginning of the program and an indication of the length of time we have committed to PEP. We are confident that our months of investment will pay a lifetime of dividends.

After attending morning recreation, we were called on to pray-out some of our brothers who made parole and will soon be reunited with their families. A pray-out allows a select few men to offer their final farewell, encouraging messages and shared memories in front of the camera for the departing party to view in times of need – the depth of character change captured forever for the individual and his family. Today was a good day, and we hope and expect many more like it, inside and out.

Travis F. (a.k.a. “Jessica Rabbit”)

Expressions

“The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams.”

~ Eleanor Roosevelt

As graduation draws near, it’s time to start thinking about where your dreams will carry you next. You’ve accomplished great things in the past almost-nine months, and soon you will be rewarded for your efforts; however, now is not the time to slide back. The momentum is already pushing you, so take advantage of it by striving for more.

Your future belongs to you. Already you see the potential that you have; imagine what you can accomplish in the next chapter of your life.  Do you believe in the beauty of your dreams? – because everyone else does including your family, friends and PEP. It’s up to you to make it happen. So what are you waiting for?

Timothy D. (a.k.a. “Ren”)