Letter of Hope”
By Dominica S. Sims

My name is Dominica Sims. By the age of 17, I was a single mother who struggled to stay focused and finish my senior year of high school. I was overwhelmed and had no sense of direction. My life quickly began to spiral out of control. It was not long until I lost touch with my family and created a world where my only option was to provide for my son and myself. Consumed by the chaos of the streets and entangled in an unhealthy relationship, I found my head in the dark and my back against the world. I
couldn’t see the light at the end of the tunnel of where my life would be headed. I became involved in an unimaginable situation where a senseless murder of an innocent man occurred. As a result of my actions, I was sentenced to 15 years in prison. I was only 17 years old and I had lost
hope. I couldn’t imagine what my future would look like. As far as I was concerned my life was over.
One night reading the bible in my cell, GOD revealed a scripture that resonated with me. The scripture Jeremiah 29:11 that said, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plan to prosper you
and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. I began to pray to GOD that he would give me a sign of hope. I realized that hope helped me manage stress and anxiety as well as cope with adversity. It motivated
positive action. In becoming hopeful I believed I could influence my own goals, that my efforts to change would have a positive impact on my life and the lives of others. During my incarceration I created a sense of hope for myself by redefining my thought process and focusing on making decisions that were trans-formative to the person I wanted to become. I knew I wanted to make a difference in other people’s lives.
Hope is fueled by optimism, and I could see the power of positive change in my life. No matter the situation or the circumstances I continued to grow in faith and overcame numerous obstacles.
Refusing to let my past define me, I vowed to turn a new leaf while serving time. While incarceration, I remained actively involved in my son’s life and rekindled some family ties that were estranged. I pursued education with a different level of purpose.
I obtained my G.E.D. and began a journey to attain an associate degree. I also earned several Vocational certifications including a national certification in Food Service Hospitality Management and mediation
training. I also became a licensed auto mechanic. I worked with several organizations during my incarceration, including Safe House Women’s Shelter, The National Lifers Association that was diverted. 

In January 2020 I was released from MDOC (Michigan department of Corrections) and I haven't looked back. I refused to waste any more time. Throughout my years of being incarcerated I knew that I wanted to share my story and experience with the world. Through faith, I stepped out on a journey of becoming an author and I did it. I am here to share my story with the world.
I always knew that I had a purpose in life. It would be in my most difficult years that I would find myself. With gratitude and pose I have started to build a meaningful life for my son and myself. In life, I had to learn the hard way. I Learned that everything that glitter ain't gold, the grass isn't always greener on the other side and if you play with fire you will get burned. I swallowed big pills and learned the hardest lessons. Through all this I learned that where there is a will there's a way. I learned how to make the best out of any situation, I learned to turn lemons into lemonade, that pressure burst pipes, only the strong survive and as you will see I learned to move with love, integrity and pure intentions no matter what.

In 2022 I started a mentoring program for young girls in my Kalamazoo Mi. GLOW (Girls Loving Our Wisdom) is a mentoring program that is dedicated to improving the lives, opportunities and situations for at-risk youth in the community. Through my experience I want to help them become the best version of themselves. 

to making legislative change, and Y.E.P. where I served as a mentor to the youth within the facility.
I reacquainted myself with purpose, poise, and passion. I was on a mission to become a walking example of resilience and was dedicated to bringing others along the path as well. I was consistently involved in
programming diverted towards being rehabilitated. This offered me a sense of hope. In life we all make mistakes, at times we can feel like there is no hope for a future. I am dedicated to giving people that same
sense of hope that inspired me in my lowest times in my life.