MURFREESBORO, TN (WGNS) - When Jody Powers looks back on the past twelve years, she sees more than two programs. She sees hundreds of lives changed, families steadied, and a community that rallied around a simple but powerful idea: everyone deserves a chance to work, to hope, and to start again. Now, the founding executive director of Amelia’s Closet and Liberty’s Station is preparing to retire.
“With the help of so many people, I’ve accomplished what God has called me to do,” Powers said. “I’m excited to see who God will call to take them to the next level.”
Her journey began in 2014 with Amelia’s Closet, sparked by the struggles she saw among women leaving incarceration or other crises with nothing appropriate to wear for job interviews. She partnered with local nonprofits like Doors of Hope and Greenhouse Ministries so their clients could receive professional clothing, guidance, and—maybe most importantly—confidence. Over the years, Amelia’s Closet helped hundreds of women move from crisis to career, often changing the trajectory of entire families.
But another need soon emerged. Adults with disabilities who volunteered at Amelia’s Closet kept asking for “a real job,” and their enthusiasm lit a new spark. That spark became Liberty’s Station, the job‑training café and event venue that opened in 2022 after a long renovation of a former auto garage. Today, it serves gourmet grilled cheese, bakery treats, healthy options, and coffee Wednesday through Saturday, while also offering rental space and a commissary kitchen for local entrepreneurs.
With her team, board, and a faithful circle of supporters, Powers has raised more than $1.8 million to sustain these faith‑driven programs. “This is an expensive endeavor,” she said, “but you can’t put a price on even one changed life.”
Board President Lori Williams said Powers embodies Micah 6:8: “Act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God.” She believes Jody’s foundation will serve the community for years to come.
Powers’ final day will be June 5—her birthday. “This work and these people have been a gift to me,” she said. “I look forward to what lies ahead.”
Amelia’s Closet and Liberty’s Station will continue under The Collective at Building Hope, guided by the framework she built.
