Today we’d like to introduce you to Angela Sims.
Hi Angela, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I always tell people my story didn’t start in a boardroom or with a big business plan. It started as a little girl growing up in the 70s, navigating life with an unseen disability that I kept hidden because I was afraid of being teased. I learned early how to “blend in,” how to work twice as hard, and how to smile even when I was secretly struggling. But God had His hand on me even then. I didn’t know it, but He was shaping me for the work I do today.
For over 30 years, I served in education—general ed, special ed, and eventually transition programs for young adults with disabilities. That work changed me. I saw the gaps, the missed opportunities, the young people with gifts too often overlooked. And I started feeling that tug, that quiet nudge that said, “Angela, you’re called to more.”
AIM To Inspire was born from that place—out of my lived experience, out of my love for this community, and out of a promise I made to God: if He gave me the vision, I would walk it out. We started small, just me with a dream and a mission to create access, opportunity, and belonging. And here we are today—running programs, building job sites, hosting proms, empowering families, and watching young adults discover skills, confidence, and purpose.
I don’t take any of it lightly. Every step has been faith, favor, and a lot of hard work. I’m just grateful God trusted me with this assignment. And I’m even more grateful for the young people who remind me every day why this work matters.
That’s how I started. And truthfully? I’m still becoming. The story is still being written.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Absolutely not. But let me be clear—I never questioned myself. I’ve always known Who gave me this vision, and because of my walk with God, I never doubted that I was enough. What has been challenging is everything that comes with building something from the ground up.
Learning how to run a nonprofit, figuring out the paperwork, understanding the systems, building partnerships with other agencies.
I thank God for my assistant, Debra. She’s been with me since the very beginning, and together we learned so much. When we didn’t know something, we researched, we prayed, and we kept pushing until we figured it out. She supported me, she believed in the mission,.
There were moments when resources were tight, when partnerships were slow to build, and when the weight of being a new organization felt heavy. But even then, God kept opening doors—just enough to keep us moving, just enough to show us we were on the right path.
So no, it hasn’t been smooth. But it has been guided. And even through the challenges, I’ve never lost sight of the purpose behind this work. Every struggle simply strengthened the foundation we’re building for the young people we serve.
As you know, we’re big fans of AIM To Inspire . For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
AIM To Inspire is more than an organization to me—it’s my assignment. It’s the place where young adults with diverse abilities walk in one way and leave feeling seen, valued, and capable. We specialize in workforce development, life-skills training, respite support, and community programs that build confidence and belonging. But honestly, what we’re really known for is our heart. People feel the love when they walk through our doors.
We create opportunities that many of our young people were never given before—hands-on job experiences, creative arts, social events, community outings, volunteer work, and now our ATI Print Shop where they learn real skills and produce real products for the community. Every mug, every shirt, every keychain they make tells a story of growth and dignity.
What sets us apart is that AIM To Inspire was built from lived experience. I know what it feels like to navigate life with an unseen disability. I know what it feels like to be high-functioning on the outside but still needing support on the inside. So everything I create is rooted in empathy, compassion, and access. This isn’t just a program—it’s a safe place, a family, and a space where people are reminded that purpose lives inside of them.
Brand-wise, I’m most proud that people see us as a place of hope. Our community knows that when they hear “AIM To Inspire,” they’re hearing “access, opportunity, and belonging.” They’re hearing “we believe in your child.” They’re hearing “God’s hand is in this.” That means everything to me.
What I want readers to know is this: AIM To Inspire is growing. We’re expanding our workforce programs, developing new respite options, building stronger partnerships, and opening doors that were once closed. And every step we take is guided by faith and driven by the desire to change lives.
We’re not just teaching skills—we’re building futures. And we’re doing it with love, integrity, and the belief that every young adult deserves a chance to thrive.
How do you define success?
For me, success has never been about a title, a dollar amount, or how big a building is. Success, to me, is impact. It’s purpose. It’s walking out what God trusted me to do and seeing the fruit of it in real lives.
I define success by the moments—when a young adult learns a new skill and their whole face lights up… when a parent tells me their child finally feels like they belong… when volunteers say they left feeling better than they came… when someone walks into AIM To Inspire and instantly feels God’s peace in the room.
Success is watching our young people grow in confidence, speak up for themselves, step into responsibilities, and start believing they can. It’s seeing their gifts bloom in a world that sometimes overlooks them.
And success is also personal. It’s knowing I stayed obedient to the vision God gave me. It’s being able to say, “I did my part today.” It’s choosing integrity, compassion, and consistency even when no one is watching.
I tell people all the time—if God is pleased, and lives are being touched, that’s success to me. Everything else is just overflow.
Pricing:
- T-Shirts (Short Sleeve): $20–$28 (Add $5 for 2XL and above)
- Long Sleeve Shirts: $28–$35
- Hoodies: $45–$55
- Hats / Caps: $20–$30
- Coffee Mugs: $15–$20 • Travel Mugs / Tumblers: $20–$30
Contact Info:
- Website: https://AimtoInspiregr.org
- Instagram: Angelahinessims
- Facebook: AIM To Inspire GR
- LinkedIn: Angela Sims
- Youtube: AIM To Inspire
- Other: TikTok Aimtoinspiregr
