Jody Powers Steps Down After Transformative Decade Leading Amelia’s Closet and Liberty’s Station
After more than a decade of building two of Murfreesboro’s most impactful job readiness programs from the ground up, Jody Powers is officially stepping away. Powers, the founding executive director behind both Amelia’s Closet and Liberty’s Station, has announced her retirement, effective June 5 - a date that also marks her birthday.
In a statement, Powers reflected on her journey and the mission that’s driven her since day one. “With the help of so many people, I’ve accomplished what God has called me to do in establishing these two job readiness programs,” she said. “I’m excited to see who God will call to take them to the next level.”
Powers launched Amelia’s Closet back in the fall of 2014, with a clear and powerful purpose: to help women re-entering the workforce - many of whom were coming out of incarceration or other difficult life circumstances - by providing them with professional clothing and a renewed sense of dignity. It wasn’t just about the clothes; it was about confidence, opportunity, and a second chance.
To make that vision a reality, Powers built partnerships with local nonprofits like Doors of Hope and Greenhouse Ministries, ensuring that women in need could be referred directly to Amelia’s Closet for support. That collaborative spirit became a hallmark of her leadership - connecting dots, building bridges, and creating systems that worked.
But she didn’t stop there.
What began as an idea to involve adults with disabilities as volunteers at Amelia’s Closet evolved into something much bigger. By fall 2022, that idea had grown into Liberty’s Station, a full-fledged job training program designed to equip individuals with disabilities for long-term employment.
Housed in a renovated former auto garage, Liberty’s Station now features a training café and event venue that serves up bakery items, gourmet grilled cheese, and coffee four days a week. It's a space that blends purpose with community - and it’s working.
Both Amelia’s Closet and Liberty’s Station will continue their work under the umbrella of The Collective at Building Hope, a nonprofit organization focused on reducing poverty across Middle Tennessee. That transition ensures the programs Powers built will remain sustainable and mission-focused well into the future.
Over the years, Powers has raised more than $1.8 million to keep these faith-driven programs running. “This is an expensive endeavor,” she acknowledged. “But you can’t put a price on even one changed life.”
Those who’ve worked alongside her would agree.
“Jody epitomizes the words of Micah 6:8: ‘Act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God,’” said Board President Lori Williams. “Her work has laid a strong foundation that will continue to serve our community for years to come.”
As Powers prepares to step away, she leaves behind more than just a legacy - she leaves behind a living, breathing movement that’s changed lives and reshaped futures.
New Heart and Valve Center Opens at Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford
In a major step forward for local cardiac care, Ascension Saint Thomas Rutherford has officially opened its Structural Heart and Valve Center - a move that brings advanced, life-saving heart procedures closer to home for Middle Tennessee residents.
The center, which opened its doors on February 4, focuses on structural heart procedures - treatments that target defects or abnormalities in the physical structure of the heart, such as the valves, chambers, or vessels. These are different from traditional interventional cardiology procedures, which typically deal with coronary arteries.
For patients, the new center means less travel and more access to specialized care right in their own community. That’s a game-changer for those who previously had to leave the region for these types of procedures.
The center is led by an experienced team: Dr. Wilson Clements and **Dr.
Aaron Hoffman**, both cardiothoracic surgeons, along with Dr. Soubhi Azzouz, a fellowship-trained interventional and structural cardiologist.
Together, they’re bringing a high level of expertise to a facility designed to meet the growing demand for advanced heart care.
It’s a big win for the region - and a timely one, as structural heart conditions become increasingly common with an aging population. With this new center, patients now have access to cutting-edge care without the added stress of long-distance travel.