Prison Entrepreneurship Program (Official Page)

10/22/2026

10,088 hours. That's how much time you've given PEP this year.

1,024 volunteers gave about 10 hours each, coaching business plans, judging pitches, mentoring men coming home and showing up when it mattered. Every single hour counted. Thank you.

If you'd like to do just a little more: a PEP graduate's first hourly wage is $17. Consider giving $17 for every hour you served. Together, that's about $171,500, enough to serve 18 more men.

Give by December 31: https://www.pep.org/october-2026-newsletter/

10/21/2026

Your experience can change the trajectory of a man's life. Here's where you can show up in the next few weeks:

- Oct 27, Houston: Big Aspiration Mingle (BAM). Give feedback on participants' business models and coach them as they develop their ideas.
- Oct 27, Richardson: eSchool Networking. Help participants with their vision, resumes and LinkedIn.
- Oct 30, Estes Unit: Business Plan Competition and Graduation. Judge the final pitches from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, then celebrate the Fall 2026 class at graduation.
- Nov 6, Lychner Unit (Humble): Big Idea Pitch, 1:00 to 5:00 PM.

Find every event and register: https://www.pep.org/october-2026-newsletter/

10/20/2026

Welcome home to Innovation Apartments.

This month we celebrated the grand opening of our newly renovated property at 5644 Gaston Avenue in Dallas. Dallas City Council Member Gay Donnell Willis (District 13) joined PEP North Texas advisory members, board members and staff to cut the ribbon.

Innovation Apartments is the next step after Phase I transitional housing. Here, Phase II participants live with more independence and build a real rental history before moving into a place of their own.

By the numbers:

- 8 apartments (six 1-bedroom, two 2-bedroom)
- 10 residents at full occupancy, including an on-site house manager
- About 20% below market rent on the 1-bedroom units

A huge thank you to Blackland Partners for carrying out the renovation. Stay tuned for the full before-to-grand-opening story in the coming months.

10/19/2026

"The light we carry outshines the darkness."

Our October newsletter is here, and it's full of that light. Inside you'll find:

- A letter from CEO Chris Valka on why PEP makes prison redemptive
- The grand opening of Innovation Apartments on Gaston Avenue in Dallas
- 10,088 volunteer hours given this year, and what they mean
- "Mending Bridges," a letter from Joshua L. to his daughters
- Upcoming events in Houston, North Texas and on Zoom

Grab a cup of coffee and read the full issue: https://www.pep.org/october-2026-newsletter/

10/14/2026

Innovation House is officially open.

Last week we celebrated the grand opening of Innovation House at 5644 Gaston Ave in Dallas. Its eight apartments give participants coming out of our Phase I transitional housing their next step: more independence and a real rental history before they move into fully independent housing.

Thank you to Council Member Gay Donnell Willis of City Council District 13 for joining us, and to our PEP North Texas advisory members, PEP board members and PEP staff for being there to celebrate.

Most of all, thank you to the team at Blackland Partners, you took a property that sat boarded up and turned it into a place where 10 people will take their next step forward. This day doesn't happen without you.

Stay tuned. The full before-and-after transformation is coming soon.

10/07/2026

Great conversations. Practical guidance. A stronger community.

Our September Houston eSchool Networking event brought PEP participants and executive volunteers together to share experience, build confidence, and make the professional connections that help turn goals into action.

You can be part of the next conversation.

North Texas: October 27, 7–9 p.m.
Houston: November 24, 7–9 p.m.

Choose your city and sign up: https://www.pep.org/calendar/

10/02/2026

Today's the day! 12 teams from our Lychner Fall 2026 class are pitching the business plans they've spent months building, with volunteer judges acting as investors. This afternoon, these same men graduate from PEP, and we'll announce the winning team during the ceremony.

Meet every team and read their plans here https://www.pep.org/lychner-fall-2026-business-plan-competition-teams/

Twelve teams from PEP’s Lychner Fall 2026 class pitch their business plans to volunteer investors today, and the winning team will be announced at this afternoon’s graduation ceremony.

09/28/2026

Graduation begins long before a cap and gown, and this Friday, the Lychner Fall 2026 class will celebrate the culmination of that work.

Over at the Estes unit the Fall 2026 class is preparing for their graduation at the end of October. The Estes Chronicles Editor-in-Chief, reflects on the daily work of accountability, character development and rebuilding trust with family. His story also shows how PEP’s Family Liaison helps loved ones recognize when real change is taking root.

Read Spencer’s story and explore the full Chronicle:
https://www.pep.org/graduation-begins-before-the-ceremony/

At Sanders Estes, preparing for graduation means more than completing a program. It means giving families new reasons to believe lasting change is possible.

09/24/2026

What does transformation look like inside prison?

This month, it looks like 16 men graduating from PEP at the Estelle Unit, surrounded by nearly 120 men who came to celebrate what they accomplished.

It looks like hope. Belonging. Leadership. And a future that suddenly feels possible.

PEP’s September newsletter shares this milestone, national recognition of our work, a new vision for the future, and more stories from the men at the heart of our mission.

Read the September newsletter: https://www.pep.org/september-2026-newsletter/

Behind every PEP statistic is a father hoping to reconnect with the people he loves.

09/18/2026

The day's almost over, but there's still time to make it count.
A gift to PEP tonight helps a man coming home to North Texas get training, mentorship, housing support and a job. It also helps the family waiting for him.
If you've been meaning to give, this is your sign: https://www.pep.org/ntxgd/?utm_source=facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=freshstarts_ntx
Thank you, North Texas.