When I came to LINCS, I was in an abusive relationship, homeless, broken, jobless and living in a city with no family. Ms. Taylor challenged me to face my fears and live. Before graduating from the LINCS program, I reclaimed my life. I obtained my high school diploma from Messick Adult High at age 28, found a permanent job, and had money in a savings account when I moved out.

I am 18 years old. The Memphis Police Department (MPD) transported me to LINCS after I had a fight with my mother; she had put me out the house. I was so scared, confused, ashamed, jobless, broke, and pregnant. Ms. Taylor, who I choose to call mommy, helped me turn my life completely around. The LINCS program taught me how to forgive and love again. IOP at Grace House of Memphis taught me how to manage my sobriety one day at a time. The financial literacy class taught me how to budget and save money. The parent classes taught me how to be loving, caring and be a proactive mother before I give birth to my son. The anger management classes taught me how to manage my anger. I can go on, and on, and on. When I graduated from the LINCS program, Ms. Taylor helped me find a place to live. She also went furniture and car shopping with me. Soon I was financially stabled to take care of my unborn child and myself.

When I came to the LINCS program, I was completely unhappy with my life. Drugs, child abuse, and martial abuse negatively impacted my self-esteem. Because of my addiction and abuse, I was unemployed, homeless, and separated from my family. The LINCS program helped change and saved my life. In six months, I completed an Alcohol and Drug Intensive Outpatient program, First Aid/CPR and S.I.D.S training, counseling, parenting and life skills classes, job readiness and financial literacy classes, educational and nutritional classes. Upon completion, I obtained my high school diploma from Messick Adult Center at the age of 29, found employment (no longer receiving government assistance), housing, and transportation. I am currently enrolled in college and have a wonderful relationship with my children.

Since I’d been at LINCS, I have gained control over my finances. I have an outstanding level of self-esteem and confidence. Prior to coming to the LINCS program, I was financially destroyed and had low self-esteem due to an emotional and abusive marriage. I am currently enrolled in a Master's program at the University of Phoenix. After graduating the LINCS program, I reunited with my husband. My goal is to graduated college and started my own business. I can honestly say that I have received a link to begin a life worth living.

When I came to the LINCS program, I was broken, depressed and confused, because my life had been negatively impacted by physical, mental, sexual, and substance abuse. My addiction to alcohol and ongoing abuse caused me to be jobless and homeless. I also lost custody of my children. On December 23, 2013, I was reunited with my children after three years. Ms. Taylor is an advocate, a mentor, a role model and a great mother figure. Because of this program, I’ve completed Alcohol & Drug Intensive Outpatient program, First Aid/CPR and S.I.D.S training, counseling, parenting and life skills classes, job readiness and financial classes, educational and nutritional classes. Upon completion, I obtained employment at Merick’s (no longer receiving government assistance), a place to call my own for me and my children, and transportation. This couldn’t have been possible without God and the LINCS program.

I was 18 years old when I came to the LINCS program. I was depressed, angry, and rebellious. Since I’ve been in the program, I started counseling to help me with my attitude and depression. I enjoyed my stay at LINCS and was so happy to be there. I am currently enrolled at Southwest Tennessee Community College taking nursing courses. My long-term goal is to start a career at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital when I graduate. I’m humble and privileged to have an opportunity to get my life back on track.

When I came to the LINCS program, I was high on marijuana, had a negative bank account, in debt, depressed, unemployed, separated from my children, homeless and living a defeated life. A special thanks goes to the LINCS program. I've learned how to live again. I graduated from Hope Works. I’m working and in school for my GED. I have 15 months of sobriety, debt-free, and pursuing home ownership. I also reunited with my son after 2 ½ years. Today, I am one happy woman – thanks to Ms. Taylor and the LINCS program.

When I came to the LINCS program, I was in an abusive relationship. I was all shaken up and confused. I was under the influence of drugs, homeless and jobless. Ms. Taylor, who I chose to call mommy, helped me through some rough patches in life. She taught me how to forgive others and love myself. While in the program, I graduated from Grace House of Memphis Intensive Outpatient Program and obtained employment.

I was born an addict. My mother left me in an abandoned apartment before the law discovered me. Shortly thereafter, I was placed in foster care. I lived in foster care until my grandmother adopted me. I grew up always wondering why my parents chose drugs over me. I started using drugs when I turned 18 years old. One day I hit rock bottom and picked up the phone and called Ladies In Need Can Survive, Inc. I told the director that I am a lady in need. Can you help me? When I came to the LINCS program, I was in an abusive relationship, high on crack cocaine, and living on the street. Ms. Taylor held my hand and walked me through the process on how to live a victorious life. She always ensured me that I am not alone. While in the program, I managed my anger and addiction, developed some life skills, graduated from an alcohol and drug intensive outpatient program, and wrote out my business plan. Without Ms. Taylor and the LINCS program, I would not have been able to reach a level of success.

I am 48 years old. When I came to the LINCS program, I was clueless, hopeless, stressed, depressed, unemployed, and homeless. Since I've been in the program, I've learned how to live again. I'm currently working and in school for my GED.

I am 33 years old and my life has been a journey. I have made a lot of mistakes. I regret especially missing  my son and not being a part of his life because of my addiction. Since I've been in the LINCS program, I am discovering my core issues and working closely with Ms. Wanda and other programs to help me gain control of addiction and my life. I am learning how to live responsibly and take responsibility for my own actions. I am currently enrolled in college. I'm taking parenting, financial literacy, IOP, nutritional and life skill classes.

I have been running from problems all my life. Running has caused me to get hooked on drugs, walk away from my child, jobless, homeless, and hungry. Since I've been in the LINCS program, reality has set in. It’s time to grow up, face my fears, heal from the past, and learn to be a responsible adult and mother. I am currently taking parenting, financial literacy, IOP, nutritional and life skill classes. In a few weeks, I will be working and starting college.