Prison Entrepreneurship Program

"Never forget the struggle because the struggle is what makes us humble." Crowned '26 valedictorian Zachariah Akerlund. #SecondChances

Congratulations to Juan Gonzalez, named Mr. PEP for exemplifying all 10 Driving Values, and to every Crowned '26 Driving Value Award winner. #DrivingValues

Handmade signs, teddy bears and long hugs. Thank you to every family who came to celebrate Crowned '26. #RestoringFamilies

Every business starts as one idea, said out loud. This Friday, the Lychner Winter 2027 class pitches theirs for the first time. Want to be in the room next time? pep.org/calendar

Congratulations to Hook'd Up Seafood Company, winner of PEP's Estes Fall 2026 Business Plan Competition. Thank you to the 81 volunteers behind this class. pep.org/estesbpc/ #Entrepreneurship

50 men graduated Friday from PEP's Estes Fall 2026 class. Crowned '26, we're proud of you. #SecondChances

Tuesday night in Houston and North Texas: business pitches, candid feedback and one-on-one coaching for the men building what’s next. Thank you, volunteers. pep.org/calendar/ #SecondChances

8 business plans built inside prison. Pitched Friday at PEP’s Estes BPC. Read them and tell us which you’d back: pep.org/estesbpc/#teams #SecondChances

"I'll never be able to change the past, but what I can do is make a bright future for me and my daughters." Read "Mending Bridges" by Joshua L., Fall '26: pep.org/october-2026-newslet… #Fatherhood

1,024 volunteers gave PEP 10,088 hours this year. Thank you. Match your hours at $17 each, a graduate's first wage, and together we can serve 18 more men. Give by Dec 31: pep.org/october-2026-newslet…

Judge a business plan competition inside prison. Oct 30 at the Estes Unit, 9 AM to 4 PM, followed by graduation. Plus BAM and eSchool Networking on Oct 27. Register: pep.org/october-2026-newslet… #Volunteer

Innovation Apartments is open on Gaston Ave in Dallas. 8 units, 10 residents, rent about 20% below market, giving PEP participants a rental history and a path to independent housing. Thanks to Blackland Partners for the renovation. #Dallas

"The light we carry outshines the darkness." Our October newsletter: new apartments in Dallas, 10,088 volunteer hours, and a father's letter to his daughters. pep.org/october-2026-newslet… #SecondChances

Innovation House is officially open in Dallas: 8 apartments where PEP participants take their next step toward independence. Thank you, Council Member Gay Donnell Willis, our North Texas advisory members, board and staff, and the Blackland Partners team for making it happen.

2 teams. 12 business plans. One big day. Our Lychner Fall 2026 class is pitching to volunteer investors right now. The winner gets announced at this afternoon's graduation. Meet the teams: pep.org/lychner-fall-2026-bu… #SecondChances #Entrepreneurship

Graduation begins long before the ceremony—and this Friday, the Lychner Fall 2026 class will celebrate that work. From Sanders Estes, Spencer L. reflects on accountability, family trust and lasting change. Read more: pep.org/graduation-begins-be… #Reentry

Last call tonight. A gift to PEP helps a man come home to North Texas with business training, a mentor and a job waiting. pep.org/ntxgd/?utm_source=x&…

"PEP didn't just teach me how to run a business. It taught me who I was supposed to be." Emmanuel went from a Texas prison to running his own company and hiring others. Help write the next story: pep.org/ntxgd/?utm_source=x&…

Second chances take a community. Five North Texas organizations walking with men coming home, all part of #NTXGivingDay today: One Man's Treasure, Bridges To Life, Well Grounded Coffee, VOA Texas and The Stewpot. Give here: pep.org/ntxgd/?utm_source=x&…

Fresh starts. Stronger North Texas. When a man comes home from prison with a plan, a job and a community behind him, everything changes. For him, his family and for his neighborhood. pep.org/ntxgd #FreshStarts #SecondChances #NorthTexas #NorthTexasGivingDay #Reentry