InTucker Magazine

The Tucker Way – WOW! In-Sync, Inc.

Education is one of the most incredible rights afforded to residents of the United States. Every child is entitled to free public education, and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act ensures that students with disabilities ages three through 21 will receive educational support. However, once a student ages out of the public education system, they lose access to resources. Many former students struggle to determine a path forward without structure. This difficulty increases with compounding factors like monetary concerns and support needs.

For over 25 years, the team at WOW In-Sync, Inc. has made their goal “Powering Futures,” providing training and support for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and autism. Their services include pre-employment training, customized and supported employment, and community integration. These efforts assist clients with planning and achieving their own business and interpersonal goals.

The organization’s history began with “Hands for Hire” in 1999. Founder Karen Lynn began in the corporate world. She saw a need for training for young adults about to graduate and understood the importance of structure in creating an environment to enable good work.

In 2002 the organization found the Flintstone Drive location they now occupy. They made the leap from the “Hands for Hire” C corporation to 501(c)3 nonprofit WOW In-Sync, Inc. in 2010. In 2011 the team added Mister Migs Discovery, their pre-employment services and their only youth program out of four total: Mister Migs, SimplyBiz, UltimateAccess and UltimateAccessXtreme.

The Mister Migs program shares a name with Karen Lynn’s late rescue chihuahua, and care for animals permeates the program even now. WOW In-Sync partners with Dogs for Better Lives, an organization that trains shelter dogs as service animals and places them with individuals in need.

Passion and choice are an important part of each program at WOW. Participants are encouraged to explore their interests in work and in life and are guided in developing new skills and increased independence in their community.

WOW In-Sync has been accredited by CARF International, meeting hundreds of standards for health and human services, and is recognized in the top three percent of quality providers internationally. In 2024 the organization even received a perfect score from the accreditor. WOW In-Sync is also a partner provider with the Georgia Vocational Rehabilitation Agency and the Georgia Department of Behavior Health and Developmental Disabilities.

WOW In-Sync’s services have expanded to reach over 475 individuals from around Metro Atlanta. A recent remodel to their state of the art facility has created modern, large, and accessible spaces for activities and hands-on training. The organization’s marked fleet of vehicles keep up-to-date with access to the latest safety features and equipment.

Community business partnerships are important to WOW In-Sync’s process. Dogs for Better Lives is just one partner example; the organization also highlighted Infinite Realities as another and a favorite of their students with an interest in comic books and games. Local business partnerships like these show participants what they can achieve, and they provide opportunities for community involvement.

WOW In-Sync has created their own Tucker Way. Their efforts to support individuals with disabilities, teach job training and independent living skills, place individuals in jobs, and build community access, have immeasurable impact on the lives of program participants. In turn, participants are empowered as self-motivated entrepreneurs of their own lives to create their own impact. At WOW…it’s all about POWERING FUTURES!