Cortlind McCutcheon on Resilience, Support, and the Power of Second Chances

When you talk with Cortlind McCutcheon, a Navigator with Empower Upper Cumberland in Cannon County, one thing becomes clear right away - her work is rooted in compassion. She joined Empower with a simple purpose: to help families find solid ground and build a path toward a more stable future. That purpose shows up in every conversation she has with the families she serves.

Cortlind describes Empower as the kind of program that doesn’t just offer resources - it offers opportunity. Families gain access to education, training, and employment support designed to break down long-standing barriers. “I’ve always had a passion for helping others,” she says. “This program lets me provide families with real opportunities in education and employment - tools that help them break barriers and build a better future.”

In her day-to-day work, she sees a common thread among participants: a deep desire to create a better life for their children. That shared motivation fuels resilience. Even when setbacks hit—and they do—families keep showing up, pushing forward, working toward something more. “They are resilient and determined,” Cortlind explains. “All of my participants share the same goal: a better future for their children.”

But she also points to a difficult truth many people overlook. Most households are far closer to financial instability than they realize. “Most of us are just one paycheck away from poverty,” she says. “What makes the difference is whether or not you have support. Many families don’t.” That’s exactly why Navigators matter. They stand in the gap, offering steady encouragement, accountability, and a reminder that no one has to walk this road alone.

Cortlind has watched Empower’s impact unfold in real time—families earning certificates, completing training, building workplace skills, and stepping into new jobs with higher wages and broader opportunities. That progress builds more than income; it builds confidence. It shifts what people believe is possible.

If she could share one message with every participant, she says it would be simple: setbacks aren’t the end of the story. “Setbacks aren’t failure—they’re stepping stones,” Cortlind explains. “Every effort you make, every step you take, is building a better life for your children. Progress, not perfection, is what matters.”

Cortlind’s work - and the work of Navigators across the region - is a reminder of why Empower Upper Cumberland matters so deeply. It’s not just a program. It’s a community standing beside families as they take meaningful steps toward stability, purpose, and a future they can be proud of.

Check out the whole video here below!