Presenter Manners
Cell#862-215-3946
Jonathan Sims, Jr. is a native of Newark, and recently retired on January 1, 2016 from the New Jersey Department of Children and Families where he worked as a Regional Coordinator for the School Based Youth Services Program (SBYSP). This program was initiated by the NJ Department of Human Services in 1987 to help young people navigate the adolescent years, finish their education, obtain skills leading to employment or continuing education, and graduate healthy and drug-free.
He has an extensive background in forensic mental health, and criminal justice dating back to 1983. From 2005-2013 Mr. Sims worked part-time for Prison Health Services, Inc. as a Mental Health Clinician at the Hudson County Correctional Center for nine years. There, Mr. Sims provided individual and group counseling services to the male incarcerated population regarding substance abuse, spirituality, social / life skills, and conflict resolution. He also incorporated, and placed heavy emphasis on parenting, responsibility, and manhood/fatherhood in all of his counseling sessions.
Starting in 2006 he developed a passion to tap into the essence of manhood, fatherhood, and parenting with men across the board. He taught men the importance of wholeness, emphasizing that the father has a major role in the safety, and wellbeing of his child / children feeling whole, safe, and secure. Also, mirroring to the men that in return they themselves will feel a since of wholeness. Against all odds they learn to make an honest effort to connect with their children in all aspects of their lives. In past years Mr. Sims also facilitated Bible Study once a week at (Kintock House), and once a month at the Essex County Youth Detention Center both located in Newark New Jersey.
Educationally, Mr. Sims earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Counselor Education with a minor in Psychology from South Carolina State University in 1983.
He completed a Master’s Degree from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of NJ (UMDNJ) in Psychiatric Rehabilitation in 2003.
Mr. Sims also earned in May 2006 a Bachelor of Science in Theology, and in May 2013 obtained a Master in Theology both from Eastern Theological Seminary.
Most currently after retiring from working with the State Reverend Jonathan Sims along with a few other clergy friends established a faith based fatherhood initiative which is named the Fatherhood Brotherhood Initiative (FBI). Its primary focus is to assist men in gaining back their God given leadership role in the lives of their children, families, and community.
