On the sunny Saturday morning of 26th April 2008, close to 200 men gathered together at the Hilton for breakfast. This was no ordinary breakfast meeting, though, this was RAP Mentor’s 1st launch event and what a powerful event it was. From my privileged position as internal journalist, I sat down and watched with awe and excitement.

There was a strong sense in the air that history was being made right before our very eyes! The event was put on for those who had responded to the call for men with an interest in mentoring young people and by 8:00am the men began to pour through the doors. They came from near and far to be counted in the number. I can’t begin to explain the energy in the room – I can only describe it as magnificent power!

There was a vibrancy and victory in the air as the men connected. The word mentor has been a widely used phrase in our troubled communities for quite some time now and it’s fair to say that results have been limited when mentoring programmes have been launched to support and guide the most troubled of our Nations young people.

There is such a hunger and a thirst for a fresh response to the needs of today’s inner city youth and there was a sense of knowing, in the atmosphere that RAP Mentor’s – the new kids on the block, are determined to make a real and clear difference. There was an exciting line up of speakers, from Community Leaders to Psychologists, from Chief Executives to financial advisers! But in amongst the very different voices and the variations of style, the heart of each presentation was the same.

The fundamental key message was that: RAP Mentor’s must be the message that they bring to the youth! This message is what makes RAP Mentors stand out, the visionary; David Williams is clear that young people need HOPE! But it’s so refreshing that he has designed RAP Mentors starting point to be about building up the Mentors! Seems like common sense and its so surprising that this crucial key has been absent in so many of the mentoring programmes that we have seen in recent years. What I saw on that sunny Saturday morning was a room full of willing men acknowledging that they themselves needed healing, they themselves need restoration and they themselves were committed to their own personal growth and development!

These men don’t just want to connect with young people – they are fixing to father them! – This is powerful stuff! And I for one am convinced that RAP Mentors has a powerful future. Watch out Giants; Our RAP Mentors are coming to get you! Dion Johnson – Unlocking Potentials