Empower UC helps people find better ways of life through available resources

Empower Upper Cumberland has quickly become a pillar of charity in the region the past four years, and the organization wanted to help spread news of their work and efforts to the rest of White County.

Hosted by North Sparta Church of God, Empower UC held a luncheon to discuss their objective to lift Upper Cumberland families out of poverty.

Starting in the fall of 2021, Empower Upper Cumberland started as an initiative to bring children and families out of poverty. Megan Spurgeon, Empower UC’s director, shared some of their progress in that goal. She shared that the average income of their members nearly doubled, rising from $23,000 a year to about $41,000 now.

The families that are eligible for the program include families below the Federal Poverty Level, families eligible or receiving Medicaid, SNAP, or similar benefits, and families living in Section 8 or low-rent public housing.

On top of their progress, Empower shared a new program they are starting, where partnership companies take in people being assisted by Empower as employees. Empower reimburses the company for the new employee’s wage for a time while the new employee learns the ropes and acquires the skills they need to succeed in the company. This will help individuals get into a job with a reduced turnover rate thanks to Empower’s assistance, and it will cut costs for the company in employment.

Vicki Smith, assistant director, wanted to let two of their members share testimonies of how Empower UC has helped them. Dewayne Mace gained the confidence to go back to school, and, thanks to a partnership program with Tennessee Technological University, he was able to complete some classes and get important skills and information under his belt. Bryanna Nelson grew up without a lot of everyday needs, even pointing all the way back to when food stamps were still on paper. The program, in her own words, “helped bring me to a community and closeness I didn’t have.” She has been able to spend time with her children without as much stress for the future, and, excitedly, she has even managed to get her bachelor’s degree just recently with the program’s help.

Smith shared that every first Monday evening of the month, Empower UC hosts an event for the families and children. The event allows them to share a sense of community and potentially begin networking to help improve their financial situation.

Empower UC has worked hard the past few years to improve the livelihood of hundreds of families in the region, and White County has been one of their biggest targets.