We, at the South Lake Tablet, have found that our community is the home of people with blended backgrounds, possessing an assortment of talents, interests, and experiences. Many of these unique people go far beyond their normal, everyday routines to make life better for their families, neighbors, and friends.
Each month, the South Lake Tablet will spotlight one of these local residents who selflessly devote time and effort to making a positive impact on their community.
This month’s community spotlight shines on Dr. Linda Cowels, a lady with a heart for community and a smile that emulates compassion for others and love of God.
Dr. Cowels, a native of Hartford, Connecticut, has spent most of her life in the central Florida area moving to Seminole County at the age of 18. She lived with her loving grandmother, Irene Harris, after her mother passed away from breast cancer when Dr. Cowels was only 16 years old. She gives a lot of credit to her grandmother and two sisters. “They all pushed me to be the best that I could be. On days that I had no homework as a child, my grandmother would have me read the dictionary after school. My grown children support me and help me in any way that they can. I am truly a blessed person with family,” says Dr. Cowels.
Shortly after her mother’s passing, Dr. Cowels embarked on a professional journey in 1979 that would last for thirty-one years. At 18, she began her career as a clerk typist with the Seminole State College (SSC). Over time, she climbed the organizational ladder at the college with determination. During the last 15 years of service, she received guidance from her mentor, SSC President Dr. Elizabeth Ann McGee. While raising three children as a single mother, Dr. Cowels continued her education and eventually completed her doctorate in Christian Theology. During her career at SSC, her passion for helping others never subsided. While completing her tasks as the Executive Administrative Assistant to Dr. McGee, and the SCC District Board of Trustees, Dr. Cowels taught leadership principles to her peers. “It too had become my motto to others to be the best that you can be,” says Dr. Cowels.
Just months before retiring, the decision was made by Dr Cowels to take a leap of faith and venture out on her own. With that, she organized and created Anointed Community Services International (ACSI), a nonprofit organization that is headquartered in Clermont. The inception of ACSI was driven by her profound commitment to leave a lasting legacy that would pay tribute to her late mother and grandmother. The mission of ACSI is to enlighten, empower, and raise awareness about the unique challenges faced by various marginalized members of society.
After her retirement, Dr. Cowels spent a year in the Dominican Republic doing missionary work for children and elderly people. Wanting to return home, she answered the call to return to Lake County and wasted no time in fulfilling her mission of helping children, women, and seniors who needed a hand up. Her journey was not easy, and the path was not yet clear but with prayer and faith, she made the decision to volunteer four days a week of her time to New Beginnings of Central Florida in Clermont. At New Beginnings, Dr. Cowels helped homeless families with food challenges and began a tutoring program for Title I children, as well as taught parenting and life skills.
These were the initial days of Anointed Community Services while she worked with New Beginnings. “I didn’t do much with it in the beginning. I traveled to Uganda, Indonesia, and Haiti to offer missionary work in business training, entrepreneur skills, and humanitarian aid,” says Dr Cowels. Her dedication led to a Leadership and Humanitarian Service Award.
In 2013, Dr. Cowels began her search for an office building with an effort of serving those less fortunate in the community. Her efforts led to a location on South Main Street in Minneola. “The rent was affordable, and the landowner was eager to have me as a tenant. I was paying for the rent from my pocket, mostly subsidized by my pension. The rent was affordable, so I was able to make it work while still paying rent for my residence in the Four Corners community,” says Linda. Once established, Dr. Cowels continued her mission with a friend who volunteered two days a week as a receptionist. “We offered free of charge, computer classes for seniors and veterans, helped families apply for SNAP and began the Annual Pancake Breakfast for children during Christmas. The computers were donated by the public. We also offered assistance with power bills and getting government subsidies for people in need,” says Linda. During this time, Dr. Cowels was still volunteering her time several days a week to New Beginnings with life skills lessons. “Helping others had become my passion and is simply my way of life now,” she says.
Dr. Cowels created the Women’s Ignite Network while stationed at her Minneola office. The program is dedicated to supporting women and children while focusing on life skills classes, parenting, health, work opportunities, and paid internships.
At one point, money to maintain the operations and rent of the building in Minneola dried up. “I simply could not afford two rents, one for my apartment and one for the Minneola building,” she said. By 2015, she considered closing the center but was soon met by her loyal clients who literally begged her not to close the doors. Determined to make it work and keep the doors open, Dr. Cowels decided to give up her apartment and live in the center. For seven months, she lived in the small office of the building. “At the end of the day, I would pull six chairs together and make a small cot out of them. It wasn’t the most comfortable, but it worked,” says Dr. Cowels, with a chuckle.
As fate would have it, and with many answered prayers for her, Dr. Cowels met Groveland Police Chief Sean Ramsey and was introduced to the Groveland City Manager at that time. Her lease on the center in Minneola was expiring soon and the landlord had other plans for the center that did not include the renewing of her lease.
The City of Groveland was in search of a manager of the new Community Center. Dr Cowels, who remains the director of ACSI, presented a proposal to the city council that would include the management of the new center that was going to be constructed in honor of Elese Tomlin. Ms. Tomlin was a long-time Groveland resident who lived to the age of 102. She loved to work with and mentor children and women who were underprivileged. Her home sat on the grounds of the current community center on Gadson Street, near Parkwood. A friend that Elese mentored, Sandra Lee, is the office coordinator of the Community Center. Sandra and Elese attended church together in the very neighborhood of the Community Center. Sandra, who was trained in communion by Elese, lives within walking distance of the Center. “We are fulfilling Ms. Tomlin’s legacy every day. She would be proud of the work that is going on in the community that she cared so deeply about,” says Dr. Cowels.
Dr. Cowels, now the manager of the Community Center, has developed partnerships in the community that include financial donations from Walmart that allow for shopping needs of client families. A partnership with The Neighborhood Center of South Lake allows for food and nutritional assistance to food-challenged families and individuals. Lake Technical College has partnered to provide GED online training. Dr Cowels has formed a deep alliance with the City of Groveland and serves as the vice-chairman of the city’s recreation committee. She says, “Together, we have bridged a gap between the city and the citizens who once avoided the effort of voicing concerns or problems within the community.”
Many of Dr. Cowel’s long-time prayers will soon be answered with the completion of the new Elese Tomlin Empowerment Center that is located at 824 East Broad Street. The new center which remains within walking distance of the present center, is scheduled to be completed in February of 2025. The center will offer enhanced educational programs and additional vocational training programs. Partnerships with the City of Groveland and ACIS are slated to continue and grow.
“The Live Well Foundation and the City of Groveland have been true partners and passionate advocates of our cause. Chief Ramsey has been so supportive of so many of our efforts. From a donated van for our meals-on-wheels program to the constant moral support, I just cannot say enough and give enough thanks for all that have helped us and made this all possible,” says Linda.
At the groundbreaking ceremony for the new community center on June 13th, Dr, Cowels said, “Today marks a significant milestone for the entire Groveland community. The Elese Tomlin Empowerment Center will be a transformative space for Groveland residents.”
When asked if there was one thing that she could change in the community, what would it be, she quickly replied that she would work on reducing crime in the community. Drug use, vandalism, and overall street-level crime in our community need to be addressed more. We need more men in the community to step up and help the young men with guidance and mentoring. More men stepping up in big-brother-type roles would make a difference.
Dr. Linda Cowels has displayed her devotion to community, family, and church in many ways but her tenacity against obstacles is remarkable. In situations where it would be understandable for most people to go back to their comfortable life in retirement when the road got tough, she not only prevails but prevails with old-fashioned, southern charm and an aura of inspiration to others. Thank you, Dr. Cowels, for your fierce dedication and commitment to so many who need so much.
Visit www.Anointedcs.org for additional information about programs and services available at the Elese Tomlin Community Center.
