Life is full of uncertainties. One minute things could be going well and the next minute you could be facing dire circumstances. There simply are no guarantees in life.

Thankfully, there are some wonderful organizations run by some pretty spectacular people in our city that consider it a calling to help folks when life seemingly turns on a dime.

One such local organization is Amelia’s Closet. Founded by Jody Powers, Amelia’s Closet provides professional apparel to women and teen girls trying to rebound from hardship.

Set up like a boutique, Amelia’s Closet has room after room of clothes, shoes, purses and accessories donated by folks from all over the area.

“The ladies we help have to be referred to us from other organizations or churches which helps validate that there is a financial need and they are looking for work,” said Founding Executive Director Jody Powers.

“We’re truly helping those that are helping themselves. We don’t just give a handout. We’re helping give a hand up to the ones that are wanting to better their lives to get out of the poverty cycle.”

When a client comes in for their appointment, Amelia’s Closet has a personal shopper’s assistant that helps the client pick an outfit to wear for a job interview. If the client gets the job, they come back in to get one week’s worth of clothes for their new job.

Along with free clothes, clients get a free makeover at the Georgia Career Institute.

“They get their hair done, nails, pedicure, facial, makeup lesson, eyebrow wax, everything. They feel so honored that someone would do that for them.”

Many of those helped by Amelia’s Closet are trying to recover from hardships such as homelessness, domestic violence, and sudden tragedies like the tornadoes that swept through the region in the wee hours of Tuesday morning, November 6.

 “We really help any woman or teen girl recovering from any hardship situation, like the [recent] tornado victims. We thought there’s got to be a need for some of those women or teen girls that maybe don’t even know where to start to recoup their wardrobes for school or work,” continued Powers.

There are success stories like the homeless mother of three children who came in to get clothes for a job interview and now owns her own business. And another who had her photo taken with Gov. Bill Haslam wearing the same outfit from Amelia’s Closet that she wore to her interview.

“Clothes are just a simple thing, but when you have nothing it means so much.”

The organization’s tagline, “A Clothier of hope,” really says it all.

If you know of any women or teen girls affected by the tornadoes, you can reach Amelia’s Closet at 615-584-9029, ext. 1. Or if you’d like to volunteer, you can dial ext. 2 at the same phone number.