Today we’d like to introduce you to Wanda Taylor
Hi Wanda, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I am a native Memphian. I was raised in a single-parent household with my mother and two siblings. My father’s long-term drug addiction caused him to be absent from my life before he passed away. I lived in two housing projects – Lemoyne Garden and Cleaborn Homes – and was raised around gangsters, pimps, drug dealers, prostitutes, drug addicts and alcoholics.
At the age 11, I became sexually active and a substance abuser, by the age 13, experienced incest, molestation, domestic violence, and verbal abuse. I became a teenage mother at 15, dropped out of high school at 17, was in and out of jail at 18, and had an abortion by the time turned 20.
I have been homeless five times. I lived in The Salvation Army twice, two vacant apartments with her children, lived out of her mother’s car, and slept on a church parking lot before. When I turned 21, I decided to walk away from a lifestyle of corruption and accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and personal Savior.
I turned my life around for the better. At the age of 26, I returned to the classroom. At 28, I received my high school diploma from Messick Adult High School. Upon graduation, I attended Tennessee Technology Center Memphis, where I received a Diploma of Cosmetologist. After graduating from Tennessee Technology Center Memphis, I attended Southwest Tennessee Community College, where I received a Technical Certificate in Substance Abuse Counseling and an Associate of Science degree in Human Service. Then I matriculated at the University of Phoenix and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management.
On August 5, 2013, founded Ladies In Need Can Survive, Inc. (LINCS), a nonprofit 501 (c) (3) organization that helps troubled women to transition back into society. LINCS provides them with the opportunity to get their lives back on track – and many of them have done just that.
In 2004, decided to go public with my life story and self-published a book, “A Woman of God: An Inspirational Book for Women.”
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Nope, it hasn’t. Without proper guidance, life can be a struggle to navigate.
As you know, we’re big fans of Ladies In Need Can Survive, Inc.. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Please tell us more about your business or organization. Ladies In Need Can Survive, Inc is 501 (c) non-profit organization. LINCS was established in the fall of 20213. Our organization provides housing and opportunities for single women seeking a second chance.
What should we know? We adopt a holistic approach that we believe will continue to break the cycle of crime, addiction, homelessness, and generational poverty that trap so many people in our community.
What sets you apart from others? We provide women with a supportive hand up, rather than a dependency-creating hand out
What do you do, LINCS offers a one-year transitional housing program and an array of services, including case management, individual and family counseling, anger management classes, parenting classes, job readiness classes, financial literacy classes, health and wellness classes, and court advocacy/accompaniment.
We provide referral for Medical and Mental Health, Alcohol and Drug Intensive Outpatient Program, (IOP), and Sex and Love Addicts Anonymous (SLAA),
What are you most proud brand wise/What do you want our readers to know about your brand? Our actions reflect our name.
What we are known for? LINCS is where every dream becomes a reality.
Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
Going skating with my cousin.
Pricing:
- Monthly sponsorship $400
- Quarterly sponsorship $1200
- Semiannual Sponsorship $2400
- Annually Sponsorship $4800
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.ladiescan.org
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wanda.taylor.12532?mibextid=LQQJ4d
