After spending the first 8 months of retirement in the Dominican Republic, Linda returned to the United States in July 2011 and sought a homeless shelter to be able to teach Job preparation, Life Skills, and Computer training. Linda began providing training at New Beginnings of Central Florida in Clermont, and discovered that training the homeless made her feel like the "happiest woman in the world." She knew that this was her purpose in life because it was extremely fulfilling. Over the past several years, many single women who were homeless have transitioned into their own homes, become entrepreneurs, and learned how to successfully parent their children.  Homeless men and women, troubled youth, elderly, veterans, and disabled citizens in the United States and around the world have been helped by Anointed Community Services International, and many have been able to learn new skills, transition successfully back into the workplace, receive social services, become entrepreneurs and overcome many barriers to their success.  In remembrance of Linda's mother who died from breast cancer, the organization began doing business as Women's Ignite Network in order to help women live healthy lives and prosper, and to help fatherless and orphaned children succeed in life.  Linda also established a legal NGO in Africa, Anointed Community Initiative with a mission to educate orphans and poor street children.  She published her first book, "In Search For A Father's Love" in December 2021.  Linda is an ordained Pastor, Apostolic Woman, Author, and radio personality.  She has traveled to 7 countries providing education and humanitarian aid. (You can find Pastor Linda's book "In Search For A Father's Love" on Amazon.com)  

Testimony:  In 2012, Linda Cowels found a 700-square-foot building in Minneola to be the home of Anointed Community Services Int'l.  Linda used her retirement funds to start and sustain the nonprofit.  With an apartment for her and her two grandchildren, after 2 years, she was no longer able to afford to pay rent for both buildings.  Linda contemplated closing down the business, but clients who she had helped begged her to stay.  With a heart of compassion, Linda decided to look for a room to rent so she could keep the building for the nonprofit and continue helping clients. She found a room and made a verbal agreement with the owner that she would move in at the end of the month.  Unfortunately, the owner changed her mind, and Linda was left with no place to go.  There was no other choice but to live in the building.  So, she put her furniture and belongings in storage and moved into the building with her clothes, shoes, and a few other personal items.  Linda lived in this building for 7 months while she faithfully provided help to the homeless, the elderly, and the disadvantaged residents of South Lake County.  She would park her car in the back at night, and at 9 AM the next morning she would drive around to the front of the building and put the OPEN sign on the door.  At night, she put 6 chairs together with a thin mattress that was made for a cart, and there she slept each night.  It must have been the angels of God watching over her because this building was right next to a local restaurant and bar.  Many times Linda could not go inside to sleep because revilers would be outside in the streets drinking and she didn't want anyone to know she was living in this building. The building had a small bathroom with no shower, only a small sink and a toilet.  Linda assisted the homeless clients with a passion because her brief experience was very similar to theirs.  At the end of the 7 months, it became unbearable with fumes coming through the air conditioner vents, and Linda began to pray more fervently for an office and a place to call home.  Thankfully, God used Steve and Linda Smith of New Beginnings of Central Florida to offer Linda a way out.  God worked a miracle in a way that many find hard to believe.  Over the years, there were many moves with no place to call home. Those who assisted the nonprofit with space were New Beginnings, Integrity Christian Academy, Faith Neighborhood, and Primerica.  In 2017, Anointed Community Services entered a contract with the City of Groveland to manage the Elese Tomlin Community Center at 204 Gadson Street, Groveland, Florida.  Today, the nonprofit manages a thriving community center with 25 children who attend an After School Tutoring Program, 205 women who are enrolled in the Women's Inspire Network; and 25 seniors and developmentally disabled adults who enjoy a free lunch and fellowship once a week.  Linda expresses her gratitude to the organizations that opened their doors for the nonprofit during their wilderness experience and allowed them to continue serving the disadvantaged community.  As the founder of Anointed Community Services, Linda has persevered to see the fulfillment of her God-given dream, and the organization has survived.  With eleven (12) years of service in South Lake County, we live out the slogan, "We serve our clients with passion."  

The Founder, Linda Cowels, president of Anointed Community Services International (ACSI) considers it a true privilege to serve humanity as she pursues her true purpose in life.

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