Empower UC Officially Starting Work To Bring Families Out Of Poverty

A region-wide initiative to bring some 800 families out of poverty has begun.

UCHRA UCDD Executive Director Mark Farley said the 36 new employees have been trained to start Empower Upper Cumberland.

“We do have our normal county operations that we have in all 14 counties that will be referring families to us,” Farley said. “We’ll probably make a push in each of the communities to try and work with some groups there to identify families really trying to improve their situation.”

Farley said the pilot program is meant to do more than just give money to families. Farley said said the goal is to put people into their lives to guide them up the financial ladder.

Farley said non-profits and faith-based communities will play a large role.Farley said prosperity coaches will be assigned to families to identify barriers and gaps blocking their family’s prosperity.