Aim To Inspire GR

08/28/2026

💜 Before August gets away from us…

We couldn’t let National Nonprofit Month come to a close without saying THANK YOU!

At AIM To Inspire, our mission is about creating access, opportunity, and belonging for youth and young adults with diverse abilities.

From workforce development and hands-on job training to life skills, community experiences, our Print Shop, and A Prom For Me—these pictures are just a glimpse of what your support makes possible. 💜

Every donation, sponsorship, partnership, volunteer hour, T-shirt order, referral, and shared post helps us continue opening doors.

Five years into this journey, I don’t take any of it lightly. Thank you to every family, donor, volunteer, business, organization, and community partner who continues to believe in this vision.

We’re still here. We’re still growing. And we’re still creating access where access hasn’t always existed.

💜 Creating Access. Building Futures. Inspiring Possibilities.
💜

08/25/2026

👕 WHAT IF YOUR NEXT SHIRT ORDER COULD CREATE AN OPPORTUNITY?

That’s exactly what we’re building through the AIM To Inspire Print Shop.

When you order your shirts, polos, hoodies, or other apparel through AIM To Inspire, you’re doing more than getting something printed you’re supporting opportunities for youth and young adults with diverse abilities.

💜 Church shirts
💜 Business & staff apparel
💜 School and organization shirts
💜 Family reunions
💜 Birthday & celebration shirts
💜 Conferences and community events
💜 Nonprofit and team apparel

If your organization is already purchasing shirts somewhere, we would love the opportunity to earn your business—and let that purchase make an impact right here in our community.

You need the shirts. We need the opportunity to create access. Let’s put the two together.

Have an upcoming event or need apparel for your team? Send AIM To Inspire GR a message for a quote.

One order can help open the door for someone else.

Creating Access. Building Futures. 💜

08/12/2026

I saw this story today, and it honestly stopped me for a moment.

After more than 40 years of serving children and individuals with disabilities in our Grand Rapids community, Comprehensive Therapy Center has closed because of financial challenges.

As the Founder of AIM To Inspire, this hits differently.

When you do this work, you understand just how much goes into creating programs that provide employment opportunities, life skills, independence, social connection, respite, community access and, most importantly, belonging.

The need is there. Families know it. Those of us doing the work see it every day.

But here’s the conversation I believe we need to have:

How do we sustain the organizations serving our disability community?

It can be difficult for smaller organizations to secure consistent funding. You apply for grants. You build partnerships. You fundraise. You hear “yes” sometimes and “no” many times—and yet the people you serve still need you tomorrow.

These aren’t simply “nice programs to have.” They are helping people build skills, gain independence, find employment, participate in their communities and live fuller lives.

This isn’t about one organization. It’s about all of us asking what role we can play—foundations, businesses, donors, community leaders, families and neighbors.

We shouldn’t wait until another program closes to recognize its value.

Creating access takes resources. Building futures takes investment. And inclusion takes all of us.

My heart goes out to the families, participants and staff impacted by this closure. And I hope this moment creates a bigger conversation in our community about how we support and sustain organizations doing this important work.

Because access shouldn’t disappear when funding does. 💜

The Comprehensive Therapy Center served hundreds of children and adults with disabilities each month before alleged financial challenges forced it to close.

08/06/2026

I didn’t expect this simple decision to have such an impact on my work.

On Monday, I took my coffee and my Bible out to my porch. Our pastor challenged us to spend 60 days reading God’s Word from a hard-copy Bible instead of on our phones or tablets. I found a quiet spot, enjoyed my coffee, and spent time with God before starting my workday.

Instead of going back inside, I decided to stay on the porch and work from my laptop.

To my surprise, I got so much done.

I repeated the same routine today, and it confirmed what I experienced on Monday. The fresh air, the quiet, and the beauty of God’s creation brought me clarity and focus. My mind felt less cluttered, my creativity flowed, and I accomplished more than I expected.

The only reason I came inside was because both my phone and laptop needed to be charged. 😊

As leaders, entrepreneurs, and professionals, we’re often looking for the next productivity strategy. Sometimes the answer isn’t another app, another meeting, or another task list. Sometimes it’s creating space to slow down, be still, and allow God to renew our minds.

Today, my porch became more than a place to sit. It became a place of peace, purpose, and productivity.

08/06/2026

An update… and a praise report! 💜

Last week, I shared that I was looking for guidance on how AIM To Inspire could begin the journey toward becoming a Medicaid-approved provider so more families could access our programs.

I’m excited to share that after a few phone calls and being connected to the right person, I finally heard back from Network180!

While the provider enrollment list isn’t open at the moment, I was encouraged to learn that it is expected to reopen around September. The representative shared that he will personally keep me informed and send me an email when the enrollment process opens.

That may seem like a small step, but to me, it’s a big one.

Sometimes progress isn’t about getting an immediate “yes.” Sometimes it’s about getting connected to the right people, receiving the right information, and knowing you’re moving in the right direction.

I’m grateful that I didn’t stop after the first call. Persistence matters.

My heart is to make AIM To Inspire more accessible for families by removing barriers and creating more opportunities for youth and young adults with disabilities to participate in our workforce development, life skills, and community programs.

Thank you to everyone who encouraged me, shared advice, reached out, and prayed after my last post. Your support means more than you know.

This journey is just beginning, but I truly believe God is ordering our steps. I’m excited to see where this next chapter leads.

One step at a time. One door at a time. One opportunity at a time.

The ball is finally rolling, and I’m looking forward to what’s ahead.

With gratitude,

Angela Sims
Founder & Executive Director
AIM To Inspire

💜 Creating Access. Building Futures.

07/30/2026

Sometimes, God gives you exactly what you need at the right moment. 💜

This morning, I received this text from one of our AIM To Inspire parents, and it brought tears to my eyes.

Those words reminded me that what we’re building is so much bigger than a program. We’re creating a place where youth and young adults with disabilities feel seen, valued, connected, and excited to come back.

As I reflect on our summer session, I’m incredibly grateful for the families who continue to trust AIM To Inspire year after year. Their support means more than they’ll ever know.

At the same time, my heart is heavy for the families I had to place on a waitlist—not because they weren’t interested, but because they were trying to figure out how to use their Medicaid benefits to access services.

That has stayed with me.

It has challenged me to think differently about how we can remove barriers and create greater access. I’ve reached out to MRS and Network180 because I want to learn more about the process of becoming a Medicaid-approved provider and how AIM To Inspire can better serve families who rely on those benefits.

If we can make that happen, more families may be able to access the workforce training, life skills, community experiences, and opportunities their loved ones deserve.

So today, I’m asking my community for help.

If you have experience with:
💜 Network180
💜 Medicaid billing
💜 HCBS Waiver services
💜 Becoming a Medicaid-approved provider in Michigan
💜 Or if you know someone who has successfully navigated this process…

I’ve learned that some of the biggest doors God opens come through relationships. I’m trusting that the right people will see this post and help point AIM To Inspire in the right direction.

Thank you to every family who continues to believe in our mission. Messages like the one I received today remind me that this work matters, and they encourage me to keep building, growing, and creating opportunities for the community we serve.

If you have a connection, please leave a comment or send me a direct message. I’d love to connect.

With gratitude,

Angela Sims
Founder & Executive Director
AIM To Inspire

Creating Access. Building Futures. 💜

07/30/2026

Sometimes God sends a reminder right when you need it most. 💜

Today I received this text from one of our amazing AIM To Inspire parents and it brought tears to my eyes.

Those words reminded me that what we’re building is bigger than a program. We’re creating a place where young adults with disabilities feel seen, valued, connected, and excited to come back.

As I reflect on our summer program, I can’t help but think about the families I had to place on a waitlist. Not because they didn’t want to participate, but because many were trying to figure out how to use their Medicaid benefits to help cover services.

That has been weighing on my heart.

I’ve reached out to MRS and Network180 because I believe this is an important next step for AIM To Inspire. My goal is to become a provider that allows more families to access our workforce development, life skills, and community programs through the benefits they already receive.

I know there is paperwork. I know there is a process. But if it means creating greater access for our young adults and easing the financial burden on families, then it’s a journey worth taking.

This is where I’m asking my community for help.

If you have experience with Network180, Medicaid billing, HCBS Waiver services, becoming a Medicaid provider, or know someone who has successfully walked this path, I would love to connect with you.

07/30/2026

💜🎶 I’m excited to share something special with our AIM To Inspire community!

A friend of mine has released a brand-new song, and I immediately thought about our incredible youth and young adults. Music has a beautiful way of building confidence, bringing joy, and reminding us that every person is unique and valuable.

If you support someone with a disability, this is a fun, uplifting song that encourages self-love, confidence, and embracing who you are. It’s a reminder that our differences are part of what makes each of us so special.

Let’s continue filling our homes, classrooms, programs, and communities with messages that inspire, encourage, and remind every person that they belong.

The song is now available on all streaming platforms. Take a listen, share it with someone who could use a little encouragement, and let’s show some love by supporting this new release! 💜🎵 Just clicked the link at the bottom….

Provided to YouTube by CDBabySpecial · Chandra Y. BurrisSpecial...

07/24/2026

🎉 FIVE YEARS! GOD IS SO GOOD! 🎉

Year 5 of our AIM To Inspire Summer Enrichment Program has officially come to a close.

When I think back to where this journey began, I could have never imagined all that God would do. What started as a vision has grown into five incredible summers filled with laughter, friendships, life skills, work experiences, community partnerships, field trips, and unforgettable memories for so many amazing young adults.

Every year has brought new challenges, new victories, and countless reminders that when God gives you a vision, He also provides the strength, the people, and the opportunities to carry it through.

To every family who trusted us with your young adult, thank you. To our dedicated staff, volunteers, community partners, and every donor who believed in our mission—thank you for helping us create access, build futures, and remind every participant that they belong.

Most of all, I give God all the glory. His faithfulness has carried AIM To Inspire every step of the way. I don’t take this milestone lightly.

Here’s to five years of impact… and believing that the best is still ahead. 💙

God is good. Always.

07/17/2026

Week 5 of our AIM To Inspire Summer Enrichment Program is in the books! ⭐

Another incredible week filled with learning, growth, and unforgettable memories.

Our young adults continued building essential workforce and life skills by preparing and serving meals, practicing responsibility through daily routines, strengthening friendships, enjoying literacy time with our newly painted community book crate, and taking pride in keeping their learning environment clean and welcoming.

We also wrapped up the week with one of our favorite traditions—our annual trip to Craig’s Cruisers! 🎉 From games and attractions to laughter and teamwork, our participants had an absolute ball. It was a well-deserved celebration of all they have accomplished this summer.

At AIM To Inspire, we know that growth happens through meaningful experiences. Every meal prepared, every new friendship formed, every responsibility accepted, and every adventure shared helps build confidence, independence, and a brighter future.

Creating Access. Building Futures. Inspiring Possibilities. 💜⭐