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Matthew is the Community Partner in AMEN's Bridging Hope Housing Initiative.  His Impact Story is as follows:  "As the Homeless House Team Leader of the Veteran Leadership Program, I worked with Jonathan and the A.M.E.N. Housing Program since 2023.  We have had a lot of veterans go through the homeless program.  It has been an extremely positive experience for myself and the homeless veterans who are receiving transitional housing.  The A.M.E.N. program has housed many homeless veterans.  We have been very successful in getting Vets into stable housing because of the A.M.E.N. program.  The A.M.E.N. housing program has been a big help with our Vets.  The support they have provided is amazing.  I look forward to our continue engagement for many many years to come."

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At just 26 years old, Dianne Lemon found herself navigating an unimaginable reality. After the tragic loss of her husband, she was left to raise her young sons alone. Her boys were only 1, 3, and 7 years old. In the midst of grief, uncertainty, and the daily fight to survive, she wrestled with a question so many in her position ask: Why would God take away their father and leave me to raise sons on my own?

It was during this season that her family became part of what would later grow into the A.M.E.N. Mentor Program. In many ways, they were the beginning. The pilot. A small group of just a handful of young boys, including her sons Jaylee, Jayvon, and Jayrul, and a nephew, stepped into a space that would change their lives forever.

Through the leadership of Founder Jonathan T. Backers, A.M.E.N. became more than a program. It became family.

“He helped me raise my boys,” Dianne shares. “We were all fighting to survive after my husband died, and A.M.E.N. stepped in.”

Jonathan Backers became what Dianne describes as a “spiritual father,” while still being relatable, present, and real. He created an environment where her sons could grow into manhood with guidance, structure, and love. The boys learned biblical principles, character, and discipline, while also gaining practical life skills that would shape their futures.

They went on trips together, from camping excursions to outings that expanded their world beyond their neighborhood. They were taught what it meant to be men. They had open, honest conversations about life, relationships, responsibility, and even topics they felt they could not comfortably discuss at home. A.M.E.N. provided them with a safe space, an “uncle-type” presence, where they could speak freely and grow confidently.

“They taught my sons how to present themselves in the workplace, how to build resumes, how to carry themselves as men,” Dianne reflects. “It wasn’t just mentorship—it was transformation.”

Her sons remained in the program for years, growing alongside a small brotherhood of young men who were all being shaped into leaders. Today, the impact of that early investment continues to echo in the men they have become.

From a place of loss came strength. From uncertainty came direction. From a small pilot group came a powerful legacy.

A.M.E.N. didn’t just support a family in need—it helped raise men.

The A.M.E.N. program was truly instrumental in my life. Being surrounded by other men facing the same challenges I had as a single father gave me a sense of brotherhood I didn’t even realize I was missing. We had real conversations about relationships, life skills, job opportunities, and personal growth. The speakers who poured into us brought knowledge, wisdom, and encouragement that stayed with me long after each session ended.

What made A.M.E.N. different was that it wasn’t just talk. We built a true community. We spent time together, supported one another, and created bonds that extended beyond the program. And when it came time for the family gatherings, I stepped up as the chef—a moment that reflected something bigger that was growing inside of me.

A.M.E.N. gave me the confidence and push I needed to pursue my purpose. That experience planted the seed that led me to open my own restaurant, ZBest Barbeque Chicken & Ribs. What started as an idea in that room became a reality that now serves the community.

Jonathan T. Backers played a major role in that transformation. He led with both compassion and strength—kind and patient, yet firm and unwavering in his message. He taught with conviction, pride in our heritage, and a strong pro-Black foundation that reminded us of who we are and where we come from.

Seeing A.M.E.N. return today is powerful. It is a blessing to witness its revival and to know that the same program that helped shape my life is continuing to impact and transform others.

When you invest in A.M.E.N., you are not simply funding a program — you are fueling transformation. Your support equips men with the tools, mentorship, and accountability they need to become stronger fathers, leaders, and pillars within their communities. Through intentional mentoring, leadership development, and the healing power of the Spirit of Re, A.M.E.N. creates measurable impact that extends beyond one individual and into families for generations. Your gift is more than a donation — it is a direct investment in restoring purpose, strengthening families, and building communities where men rise and lead with integrity.​