Meeting Families Where They Are: Regina Stowers on Breaking Barriers in Fentress County

In Fentress County, Empower Upper Cumberland Navigator Regina Stowers is redefining what it means to serve families in poverty. With a background in the Tennessee Department of Human Services, Regina knows firsthand how difficult it can be for families to navigate systems meant to help them. But through Empower, she’s found a better way—one built on flexibility, dignity, and trust.

“What drew me to Empower was the chance to step away from red tape and truly meet participants where they are—physically and financially,” Regina shared. “Now, I can meet families anytime, anywhere, without asking them to miss work or school. That matters because work and education are the very things that help break the cycle of poverty.”

For Regina, this work is deeply personal. As a single mother who worked and attended school herself, she understands the balance families are trying to keep. “I had a strong support system, but not everyone does—especially when generational poverty or addiction are involved,” she said. “Too often, the very systems designed to help can hold people back. One setback, and families fall right back into poverty. We have to do better.”

And better is exactly what Empower aims to be. Regina has witnessed families reach 225% of the federal poverty level after earning a degree or trade certification—a milestone that marks real, lasting progress. “That’s not a band-aid—it’s a long-term solution,” she said. “With a trade or credential, participants become lifetime earners. They carry those skills with them wherever they go.”

What stands out most to Regina are the qualities she sees in the families she serves: resilience, determination, and hope. “People living in poverty want the same things as anyone else—a better future for their children,” she said. “Every test passed, every shift worked, every parent-teacher conference attended—it all shows their kids what resilience looks like. And those children are watching.”

Regina believes the future of breaking generational poverty begins with opportunity—especially for young people still in school. “We need to provide real options: trades, apprenticeships, and career pathways,” she emphasized. “College isn’t the only route, and it’s not accessible for everyone. With the right support, we can equip students with skills that open doors to good-paying jobs the moment they graduate.”

In Fentress County and across the Upper Cumberland, Navigators like Regina are building bridges for families who want more than temporary relief. They’re offering hope—and a pathway toward lasting change.