Who Is Mr. Paul?
Why I Mentor — A Message from Mr. Paul
Growing up, my home looked whole on the outside—but behind closed doors, it was filled with brokenness: addiction, abuse, and confusion. I didn’t know who to turn to. I didn’t have a voice in my life speaking truth, calling out my gifts, or reminding me that I mattered.
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Instead, I was influenced by the wrong mentors—ones who shaped my thinking with fear, not freedom. That path led me into addiction, strife, and an identity crisis wrapped in anger and rejection. I didn’t know who I was… because no one ever helped me discover it.
That’s why I mentor.
Because I needed a mentor.
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I walk with young students today to be the voice I never had—to be consistent, kind, and present.
The "Mr. Paul Says" Book was born out of that mission: to create meaningful moments with kids, starting as early as 1st grade, teaching them confidence, kindness, generosity, communication, and how to feel heard.
Through mentoring and The Iker Initiative, it's not just sharing a story—Together we are helping others rewrite theirs.
"When you speak identity and truth into a child early, you give them a blueprint for life.” -Coach Paul
Why It Matters (The Problem We're Solving)
Key pain points parents, teachers, and mentors face today:
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Disconnection in classrooms
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Lack of positive role models
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Children struggling with identity and confidence
The Mr. Paul Approach (Our Unique Framework)
Anchor in the themes of the storybook:
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Speaking Truth
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Building Confidence
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Encouraging Respect
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Assisting in Communication Skills
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Allowing Our Children to Express Emotions
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Mentorship Model Breakdown:
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1st–3rd Grade: Speaking life through storytelling
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4th–6th Grade: Guiding values and self-awareness
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7th–12th Grade: Identity, leadership, and life skills coaching
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How It Works
For Schools/Teachers:
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With parent or guardian consent, help us identify students who could benefit from a positive mentor in their life.
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Host a casual meetup between the teacher, student, and mentor to explore connection, comfort, and mutual fit.
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Once a mutual connection is established, the teacher and mentor coordinate a consistent weekly meeting time that works for the student’s schedule.
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For Mentors/Volunteers:
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Outline of the expectations (consistency, compassion, communication)
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Sample mentoring activities and weekly focus themes (taken from Mr. Paul Book)
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Link to Volunteer Training Portal (The access link is provided after the initial meeting and successful completion of the background check.)
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Testimonials & Impact:
"He was so full of joy. Thanks for doing what you do!"
-Stephanie Mora (Counselor)
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Get Involved
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Parents – Learn how to bring the Iker Initiative to your child’s school
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Teachers – Discover our classroom support and mentorship integration
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Sponsors & Donors – Make a tax-deductible impact on young lives​
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