At EWOP, innovation is critical to empowering our clients. It is key to the program’s results. The very structure of our program, the education, the mentoring and the continued post-release support are innovative.
Our culture promotes innovation. EWOP does things that no other organization can match and our results are second to none. From our detailed candidate selection process to our in-prison leadership academy to the post-release support structure, every part of our program is carefully designed to provide our women with the skills to be successful upon release from prison.
The drive to empower through innovation carries over to our clients. Most clients are accomplishing objectives that they never thought possible. They see a future with transformation, hope restored and families rebuilt. We encourage our women to think differently and embrace their inherent creativity and ability to innovate.
We continuously examine and measure what is making the most impact and refine the program to strengthen it.
Selection Process
EWOP has a rigorous criteria and selection process. The selection process begins when the Texas Department of Criminal Justice provides EWOP with a list of inmates who are eligible to apply to our program.
After receiving the request for program information, EWOP then sends this group of respondents a 20-page application that includes essay questions. With the completed applications in hand, our staff then carefully reviews the applications and selects the top candidates. This group then receives a study packet that includes the AP Writing Style Guide, EWOP’s Ten Driving Values, and a Basic Business Vocabulary reference.
Two weeks after sending candidates the study packet, a EWOP recruiter will visit the prison and administer a 50-question test. Each person that scores above 70% on the test moves on to in-person interviews. The purpose of the interview is to determine which candidates have the work ethic and the commitment to succeed in our program. At this point, EWOP has identified the top 100 women for the program.
In-Prison Education/Leadership Academy
EWOP’s mission begins inside the prison system with a rigorous application and screening process of eligible female inmates. All participants are expected to “live out” EWOP’s Ten Driving Values: Integrity, Accountability, Wise Stewardship, Love, Fun, Fresh Start Outlook, Servant-Leader Mentality, Innovation, Execution, and Excellence. We work with each client to identify and remove the character traits and behaviors that stand in the way of a positive life transformation. The program is also designed to assimilate each participant into EWOP’s diverse community of accountability and encouragement, one that begins in prison and continues following their release.
Formal Graduation
After completing the immersive and intense in-prison program, participants will graduate in a cap-and-gown ceremony held within the prison.
EWOP strongly encourages family and friends of each graduate to attend the graduation ceremony. For many, this event is often the first time families have seen their mothers, wives, daughters, or sisters truly follow-through, succeed, and accomplish their goals. In cases where hardship would prevent family members from attending graduation, EWOP provides financial assistance to defray some of the costs of traveling to the graduation.