LINCS is a place where miracles happen, and dreams become reality—for women who are ready for change and willing to put in the work. Our team is ready, too!
At LINCS, we’ve achieved long-lasting, life-changing results through strategic planning, consistent effort, and balancing short- and long-term goals. Over the years, we’ve helped countless women completely transform their lives and reclaim their sense of purpose and independence.
We’ve supported women in overcoming years—even decades—of addiction. We’ve assisted them in returning to school, proudly walking across the stage to receive their high school diploma or college degree. We’ve also helped residents transition off public assistance, pay down or eliminate debt, secure meaningful employment, and even purchase their first home.
Many of our residents have regained their driver’s licenses or learned to drive and obtained a license for the very first time.
With the money they save, many are able to purchase brand-new furniture to furnish their homes after graduating from the LINCS program. Some even go on to purchase a pre-owned or brand-new vehicle right off the showroom floor. We also assist our residents in obtaining affordable auto, rental, homeowners, and life insurance, helping them build a stable foundation for their future.
One of the most rewarding moments is helping a woman smile again—literally and emotionally—after drugs, alcohol, or abuse have taken so much from her. At LINCS, we care about the whole person, offering not just shelter, but the support, tools, and hope needed to rebuild a meaningful life. Lastly, we help our residents reunite with their families after long periods of separation.
Wanda Taylor is a survivor, a visionary, and a woman on a mission. As the President/CEO of Ladies In Need Can Survive, Inc. (LINCS), Wanda has dedicated her life to empowering women who are walking roads she knows all too well – roads of abuse, addiction, poverty, incarceration, and homelessness. A native Memphian, Wanda’s early life was marked by trauma and hardship. Raised in the public housing projects of Lemoyne Garden and Cleaborn Homes, she grew up surrounded by poverty, addiction, violence, and instability. Her father battled a long-term drug addiction and was absent from her life, leaving her mother to raise Wanda and her siblings alone. By the age of 11, Wanda had been exposed to sexual exploitation and had begun using drugs and alcohol. At 13, she was a victim of domestic violence. By 15, she was a teenage mother, and by 17, she had dropped out of high school. At 18, Wanda was in and out of jail, and by 20, she had endured the emotional pain of an abortion. Wanda life was marked by instability and repeated episodes of homelessness—she lived in two vacant apartments, stayed at The Salvation Army twice with her children, lived out of her mother’s car, and even spent a night on a church parking lot.
But at the age of 21, everything changed. Wanda made a life-altering decision to surrender her past and follow Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior. This choice ignited a transformation that would unfold over decades—and change countless lives.
Determined to rewrite her story, Wanda returned to school at age 26. At 28, she earned her high school diploma from Messick Adult High School, then went on to pursue higher education with relentless dedication. She earned a Diploma in Cosmetology from Tennessee Technology Center Memphis, followed by a Technical Certificate in Substance Abuse Counseling and an Associate of Science in Human Services from Southwest Tennessee Community College. She later received her Bachelor of Science in Business Management from the University of Phoenix.
With a passion for helping others, Wanda entered the workforce and spent 20 years as an educator. She later decided to change career paths and went on to work with organizations such as The Salvation Army, Serenity Recovery Center, Shelby County Rape Crisis Center, Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare, and others—continuing her mission to serve individuals in crisis and support their recovery and healing.
In 2004, Wanda took her testimony public and self-published her book, A Woman of God: An Inspirational Book for Women. The response was overwhelming. Readers were inspired, and survivors came forward with their own stories. Wanda had found her calling.
On August 5, 2013, Wanda founded Ladies In Need Can Survive, Inc. (LINCS)—a 501(c)(3) nonprofit transitional home that helps women break free from cycles of trauma, addiction, and homelessness. LINCS provides intensive, structured programs and wraparound services that address the whole woman: mind, body, and spirit. Since its founding, LINCS has helped countless women rebuild their lives, reunite with their families, and discover their purpose.
Wanda is also a dynamic motivational speaker, community activist, and volunteer who gives her time to organizations like St. Peter Home-Children, Shelby County Juvenile Court, Youth Villages, Cocaine Alcohol Awareness Program (C.A.A.P), and the Mark H. Luttrell Correctional Center for Women.
Wanda Taylor’s extraordinary dedication to empowering women has garnered widespread recognition at the local, state, and national levels. She is the proud recipient of numerous honors and awards, including Christian Women’s Expo, Women of Excellence Award (2024), The White House, President Joe Biden’s Volunteer Service Award (2023), Memphis City Council, Resolution (2023), Shelby County Government, Resolution (2023), St. Matthew's Church, The Survivor's Award (2023), Women Who Rock Global, The Elegance of a Woman Award (2023), Ordinary People Magazine, The Servants Award (2023), Best in Memphis Award (2022), Kingdom Seeker International Ministries, Kingdom Ambassador Award (2021), City of Memphis, Resolution (2018), Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris, Proclamation (2018), Resolution and Key to Shelby County Government (2018), Memphis Magazine, Initiative Award (2018), Sister Reach Reproduction Justice, Rev. Ruth Mosley-Hall Award (2015), Tri-State Defender, Women of Excellence Award (2015), National Coalition of Women in Ministry, Esther & Lydia Awards (2015), Rangeline Neighborhood Community Development Corporation, 3 V Leader Award (2015), Faith International Outreach Ministries, Black Girl Rock Award (2014), and Southwest Tennessee Community College, Director’s Award (2005).
Wanda’s work has captured national attention, earning features on Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN), international radio, and in numerous magazines and newspapers. Her mission has also attracted the support of several high-profile figures, including actor Tony Grant and actress Cassie Davis (Tyler Perry productions), and actress Vivica A. Fox. Grammy-winning Gospel Artists Le’Andria Johnson, Jonathan Nelson, JOKIA, and Sheila Raye Charles, daughter of the legendary Ray Charles,
Wanda also expresses her creativity through entrepreneurship and the arts. She is the founder of The Taylor Made Boutique, LLC, appeared as an extra in NBC’s Young Rock, modeled for Dillard’s, and acted in the hit stage play The Pulpit Is Not A Playground at The Cannon Center in Memphis.
Above all, Wanda is a woman of faith, purpose, and passion. She is the proud mother of two successful daughters and grandmother to five beautiful grandchildren.
Her life is living proof that no one is too broken to be made whole—and that every woman, no matter her past, deserves a future full of hope, healing, and opportunity.