MADISON COUNTY – The Christian Job Corps of Madison County or CJC finished 2023 with many helpful options and is opening the New Year with even more services.

CJC has reopened the Clothes Closet and has opened a new location to provide services to men in the community.

Reaching its 25th anniversary, CJC relies on Christian churches across Madison County, along with health, educational, government and business institutions.

A CJC student receives job training; Bible study; appropriate clothing for women at job interviews; self-confidence and self-sufficiency; training for computer skills; one-on-one GED tutoring, help in securing an internship; and, most importantly, hope. A student receives these benefits at no cost.

During December, the CJC Clothes Closet was closed but has reopened for donations and shopping. Residents can donate women’s professional attire on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to noon year-round (except December).

Anyone donating clothes should bag or box the items.

The Clothes Closet’s location is First Baptist Church of Huntsville, 600 Governors Drive SW. Go to entrance no. 7 at the back of the church, facing St. Clair Ave. (across from the library). To give donated clothing, drive under the covered area and ring the doorbell for a volunteer to take the donation and give a tax receipt.

Current students, CJC alumnae and any woman who needs career clothing are welcome to shop for apparel and accessories at the Clothes Closet on Tuesdays from 1 to 3 p.m. Shoppers must schedule an appointment. The clothes are appropriate for job interviews and daily attire for an office setting.

Currently, needed items for the closet are pants, jackets, blazers, jewelry, purses, blouses, professional shoes, dresses and scrubs. Residents should donate large volumes of clothing, like the estate of a relative or friend, to The Neighborhood Store, Christmas Charities or Asbury Thrift Store in Madison.

For more information, call 256-428-9404, email volunteer@cwjc.net or visit cwjc.net/donate/#clothes-closet.

In other activity, the CJC Men’s Site is scheduled to launch in January 2024 with sessions on Saturday mornings. Keith Williams, Men’s Site Coordinator, is recruiting students for the upcoming semester. The location of the men’s site is 233-F Stokes St. in Huntsville.

The men’s program will offer Bible study, career coaching, personal finance advice and mentoring.

Prospective male students can apply at cwjc.net. For more information, contact Nancy Eckhardt, CJC Executive Director, by calling 256-428-9435 or email cjcdirector@cwjc.net.

CJC needs volunteers to mentor and provide lunches on Saturdays. To volunteer, call 256-428-9415 or visit cwjc.net/get-involved/#volunteers.

CJC’s mailing address is P.O. Box 525, Huntsville, AL 35804. For information about recruitment and student enrollment, call 256-428-9404; or organization information, call 256-428-9435. For other details, email cjcdirector@cwjc.net or visit cwjc.net.