Meet the Founder
Kimberly Sims, Founder & Executive Director
I’m Kimberly Sims, Founder and Executive Director of Next Level Reentry Solutions, Inc. I created this organization because I believe every person deserves the opportunity to rebuild their life with confidence, dignity, and community support.
For over 15 years, I worked inside correctional facilities in various roles, including Correctional Officer, Case Management Counselor, and Institutional Program Manager. During that time, I observed a criminal justice system focused on incarceration but often lacking in support for reentry. I watched individuals prepare for release with hope, only to return to a world that had moved forward without them.
One moment changed everything for me. I was working with a man who had served 30 years in prison and was preparing to go home. He was overwhelmed by everyday tasks that most people take for granted—using a cell phone, paying for groceries with a debit card, and navigating digital forms and appointments. His fear wasn’t about facing freedom; it was about surviving in a world built on technology he had never encountered. That’s when I realized that reentry often fails people long before they fail reentry.
Determined to change that narrative, I earned my Master’s degree in Criminal Justice Administration and Leadership and focused my research on the barriers to reentry and the impact of programming for incarcerated individuals. What I learned reinforced what I already knew—people succeed when they have practical skills, emotional support, resources, and a community that believes in their potential.
That is why I launched Next Level Reentry Solutions, Inc.
In addition to my work through Next Level Reentry Solutions, I am the author of Level Up: A Journey of Purpose Beyond the Gates. The book grew from the same mission that drives this organization—the belief that a person’s past does not have to determine their future. Through Level Up, I share encouragement, practical insight, and a message of purpose, personal growth, and transformation for individuals ready to move forward and build what comes next.
Here, we walk alongside individuals returning home—helping them build skills, strengthen confidence, and rise to their next level. Whether through reentry services, education, advocacy, or the written word, I am committed to creating access, restoring hope, and ensuring that no one has to navigate reentry alone.
“Everyone deserves the chance to level up.”
With gratitude,
Kimberly Sims
Founder & Executive Director
Next Level Reentry Solutions Inc.
