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Local Voices

Tucker Businesswoman Named One of Money Magazine's "50 Heroes, 50 States"

WOW In-Sync's Karen Lynn cited for helping prepare young adults with developmental disabilities for work and life

WOW In-Sync, a non-profit organization helping marginalized young adults develop life and career skills in order to fully engage in business and community, announced today that founder and president Karen Lynn has been named one of Money magazine’s “50 Heroes, 50 States.” Lynn represents Georgia in the feature article appearing in Money’s July 2014 print issue and on its website. listing 50 heroes, one from each state in the nation, honored for creating particularly unique or creative programs that help people in regards to personal finance management or development.

“I am deeply honored to be listed among such an extraordinary group of people,” said Lynn. “More than recognizing me for the work I do, I am grateful for this opportunity to show that people with developmental disabilities can and should have as many opportunities to be gainfully employed and live more independent lives as their non-disabled peers.”

In the past, Money has profiled educators, consumer advocates, fundraisers and other volunteers, all of whom have in one way or another positively influenced people's financial confidence and freedom by teaching money literacy, assisting others with major financial decisions, or helping them regain their financial footing after a setback. The magazine chose a hero from each state and Washington, D.C. by checking nominations from past honorees, leaders of nonprofit groups, community-service coordinators and readers.

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Lynn was recognized for her sixteen years of work helping to prepare marginalized young adults, many with developmental disabilities and autism, for more independent living, including providing them with basic living and career skills. In 1998, while managing a post-production video company, she noticed that a recently-hired group of workers was having trouble acclimating to their new assignments. The workers had various types of developmental disabilities, and Lynn realized that while they had been placed at the company as part of a work placement program, no one had taken the time to school them on basic work skills and workplace etiquette. She developed a training program and in a month, these same employees went from packing 35 pieces an hour to 350. Inspired by the results of her program, Lynn started Hands for Hire in 1999, providing developmentally disabled adults with the business training that would enable them to secure a wage-earning job.

In 2011, Lynn renamed the organization WOW In-Sync, and now teaches 175 adults with developmental disabilities and autism — most referred through state agencies — community integration and money skills in addition to job training. Program participants get exposure to different workplaces to find what they are most interested in pursuing, and those who move on to jobs have a 95% retention rate. In fall 2014, WOW In-Sync will launch MisterMigs.com, where 18- to 25-year-old young adults with developmental disabilities and autism will earn an hourly rate to design, produce and sell “Seriously Cool Dog Gear.”

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“People with developmental disabilities want to have a job, earn a wage, and be included and valued in their work and community,” stated Lynn. “My inspiration comes from the hundreds of young adults who have come through our program over the past sixteen years, proving to their communities, their families and themselves that with the right support and training, they can make valuable contributions to society.”

WOW In-Sync provides training and support for adults with developmental and learning disabilities, to help them integrate more fully in business and community. The organization empowers these individuals to lead more independent lives through three programs: Hands for Hire, providing lifeskills training to help them more fully engage in community ; Simply Biz, building key business skills beyond simple job training as well as helping participants explore various career options to develop individualized career goals; MisterMigs.com, providing hands-on work experience in a real business environment. WOW In-Sync provides opportunities for everyone to find their passion in life and business, and be more than they are.

WOW In-Sync is accredited by CARF International (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities) in the areas of community integration, employment development, and employment planning.






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