Empowering Innovation
At EWOP, innovation is critical to empowering our clients and the key to sucess. 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 leaders inside the unit and 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.
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 leaders inside the unit and 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. Currently all residents in the Lockhart Correctional Facility are invited to apply to become a member of EWOP. The application process is in-depth, including details of past life decisions, desire for transformation, plans for reentry and an expressed need to change. Executive volunteers and EWOP staff conduct applicant interviews and then a scoring system is used to determine participants. All participants must have a high school diploma or completed their GED. Successful applicants must demonstrate necessary intellect and a willingness to learn, grow as a person and transform their lives.
The Spring 2020 class is made up of 55 women and 4 Peer Educators at the Lockhart unit. The goal for 2021 is to recruit 100 women from Lockhart and other units across Texas to participate in the program in Lockhart.
The Spring 2020 class is made up of 55 women and 4 Peer Educators at the Lockhart unit. The goal for 2021 is to recruit 100 women from Lockhart and other units across Texas to participate in the program in Lockhart.
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, Implementation, and Excellence. We work with each client to identify and remove barriers and behaviors that stand in the way of a positive life transformation. The program is designed to assimilate each participant into EWOP’s diverse community of accountability and encouragement, one that begins in prison and continues following their release.
Programming includes character development, including values-based decision making for emotional growth and healing, defining personal values, setting attainable goals, and making good decisions based on identified values. Team Building and conflict resolution are key elements that are studied and practiced within the program. Entrepreneurship, financial planning, project management, business strategy and career building classes help participants identify areas of interest, focus their skills, and learn new expertise. Executive volunteers and business students volunteer their time to help participants hone their business skills.
Programming includes character development, including values-based decision making for emotional growth and healing, defining personal values, setting attainable goals, and making good decisions based on identified values. Team Building and conflict resolution are key elements that are studied and practiced within the program. Entrepreneurship, financial planning, project management, business strategy and career building classes help participants identify areas of interest, focus their skills, and learn new expertise. Executive volunteers and business students volunteer their time to help participants hone their business skills.
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 when available to defray some of the costs of traveling to the graduation.
In cases where hardship would prevent family members from attending graduation, EWOP provides financial assistance when available to defray some of the costs of traveling to the graduation.
Post Release Services
EWOP Transition Coordinators pick up participants at the release gate the minute they are released from prison. Many EWOP graduates choose to live in a transition home managed by a third party partnership vetted by EWOP.
In addition to transition housing, EWOP provides extensive post-release services to its women, including help with finding transportation, regular counseling and advice, a support network, social events, and emergency financial assistance. Moreover, participants have access to bus passes, phone cards, reduced-cost dental services, medical services, and eye exams/glasses through partnerships with other service providers. The goal is to provide participants with a comprehensive solution to re-entry in a structured environment.
In addition to transition housing, EWOP provides extensive post-release services to its women, including help with finding transportation, regular counseling and advice, a support network, social events, and emergency financial assistance. Moreover, participants have access to bus passes, phone cards, reduced-cost dental services, medical services, and eye exams/glasses through partnerships with other service providers. The goal is to provide participants with a comprehensive solution to re-entry in a structured environment.
Upon my release from prison, I paroled to Austin, Texas where I live and work. I was accepted at Texas Reach Out Ministries and began living in their transitional home on October 1, 2018. I began work through MEMCO here in Austin as a contract laborer on a construction site. After several months of observing and learning, I approached a contractor on the site and asked for a job. The contractor initially said no, but after he observed my work ethic, he decided to give me a chance. On October 7, 2019, I began work as an installer for Mas Mechanical in Kilgore, Texas. |
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