What an incredible month it has been! From June 8th through June 22nd, we welcomed a group of remarkable women to our first Two-Week Residential Session of the year, and on June 22nd, we had the honor of celebrating their graduation alongside them. Twelve women crossed that stage, twelve stories of courage and transformation, and twelve reminders of exactly why we do this work. It was a jam-packed two weeks, full of growth, hard work, and powerful moments we cannot wait to share with you.

Following session, our staff took a much-needed week off to rest, recharge, and enjoy some summertime with their own families. We are happy to say we are back in the office now, refreshed and refueled, working hard and diligently planning for everything still ahead!

We cannot wait to share more with you! In the next couple of weeks, keep an eye out for a special session edition newsletter dedicated entirely to this incredible milestone, filled with highlights from the two weeks.

Our hearts are with everyone in Madison County and across Kentucky who has been affected by the recent flooding. We are holding our community close during this difficult time, and our thoughts are with all who are working to recover and rebuild. On a lighter note, we hope you are all staying dry, soaking up the summer sun, and enjoying the laughter of kids who are out of school for the season. We also hope you had a wonderful Father's Day surrounded by the ones you love!

Crystal Burton, November 2022 NOSW Graduate
Program Director
New Opportunity School for Women

My story begins in a childhood shaped by instability, financial hardship, alcohol abuse, and mental health struggles that nobody talked about out loud. And we knew loss, real, and devastating. I was just a little girl when we lost my baby brother, William Clifford, to SIDS, and something about that kind of grief changes the shape of a family.

My parents, William and Lillie Burton, were dealt a hard hand themselves, and they did the best they could with what they had. My daddy worked backbreaking jobs to provide for us, and from him I learned what real work ethic looks like. Both my mom and dad would give the shirt off their backs to help someone, even when they didn't have a shirt to spare, and that is where my compassion comes from. We come from strong willed people. Burtons do not roll over and die. I don't carry blame for my parents. I carry their grit, and I am proud of where I come from.

I entered adulthood at a very young age, stepping into one bad and abusive relationship after another, and I became a teen mom at only sixteen. But my parents stood behind me. Between my mom watching my daughter every single day so I could go to school, and my parents helping me financially, I was still able to graduate high school. Making sure every one of their children graduated was a priority for my mom and dad. They wanted us to have a better chance than they had.

Even with their support, those wounds followed me into young adulthood. Each relationship took a little more of me until my light was completely gone. I found myself at my absolute darkest, having lost all hope and the will to continue. What pulled me back was a therapist who truly saw me, and an invitation from Karen Morales, my boyfriend's mother and a longtime NOSW graduate, to attend a graduation ceremony. Sitting in that room, listening to those women tell their stories, I heard my own life in their words. I saw my pain. And I saw their survival.

I wasn't ready to believe I deserved help, so I started small, agreeing to a three-day online program. Those three days called me out in all the best ways and showed me for the first time that I was worthy of more. I applied for residential session and was accepted. In those weeks I found everything I believed was lost forever. Myself. My purpose. My voice. My faith. I found God again. I found that my struggles were not for nothing and that I was not forgotten. I found the light within me that I thought had been extinguished for good.

When I stood before my family, my sisters, and a room full of supportive strangers to give my graduation speech in November 2022, something powerful rose up in me...

Your story isn't over. It's just getting started.

If Crystal's story stirred something in you; if you felt that pull, that quiet knowing that you are made for more, please do not ignore it. That feeling is telling you something important, and you deserve to listen to it.

Maybe your light has dimmed. Maybe life has knocked you down so many times that getting back up feels impossible. Maybe it's others, or maybe you are the one standing in your own way, and somewhere deep down, you already know it. Whatever has brought you to this moment, we want you to know that you are not too far gone, you are not too broken, and it is not too late.

Applications for our October Two-Week Residential Session are open now! If a two-week program feels like too big of a leap right now, our Three-Day Non-Residential Sessions are a powerful and accessible place to start, and there are several coming up throughout the rest of the year. You do not have to have it all figured out to take the first step. You just have to be willing.

Take this chance. Do it for YOU. Head to our website for all the information you need to get started. And if someone came to mind while you were reading this; a friend; a sister; someone you know who has been quietly searching for herself; forward this email their way. Sometimes the greatest gift we can give is simply saying, "I thought of you, and I believe in you".

Dates for Upcoming Three-Day Non-Residential Sessions:

Click the button below to apply today, or visit the "What We Do" tab on our website to learn more about everything we have to offer! 

The Appalachian Sisterhood is now Online and in Print

If Crystal's story moved you, there are so many more where that came from. The Appalachian Sisterhood: The Power of Transformation is home to powerful, first-person accounts just like hers; real women, real journeys, and the honest courage it took to change their lives.

Issue Two is on its way before the end of summer, so if you haven't grabbed your copy of Issue One yet, now is the time! Subscriptions are available online or in print and are donation-based, so you choose the amount that works for you. Every contribution helps us continue reaching women across Kentucky and Appalachia who are ready for their own moment of change.

Already subscribed? Share it! Forward this email to a friend, pass it along to a neighbor, or tell anyone in your life who believes in the power of women lifting each other up.

We are thrilled to share some incredibly exciting news! The New Opportunity School for Women has been awarded a $10,000 grant from Kentucky Colonels to go toward the purchase of a new 15-passenger van!

This gift is truly vital to our mission. Transportation is an essential piece of our Two-Week Residential Sessions, and this van will ensure that the women who come to us are able to get where they need to go safely and comfortably throughout their time here. Because of Kentucky Colonels' generosity, we can continue welcoming women through our doors without transportation standing in the way.

We are so deeply grateful for this investment in our program and in the women we serve. Thank you, Kentucky Colonels, for believing in what we do and for helping us carry it forward- literally!

To stay up to date with NOSW News, click the button below to go to the News page on our website.

Berea Farmers' Market | June 6, 2026

If you spent your Saturday morning shopping for fresh, locally grown produce and locally farmed goods, we hope you stopped by to say hello! We had a wonderful time connecting with community members at the Berea Farmers' Market at the 635 Chestnut Street Pavilion on Saturday, June 6th. It was a joy to share a little bit about the New Opportunity School for Women and the programs we offer with so many familiar and new faces in our community.

Independence Day Celebration at Lake Reba | July 4, 2026

America is turning 250, and we would love to celebrate with you! Join us at Lake Reba Park in Richmond for the Independence Day Celebration on Saturday, July 4th from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM. Swing by our table to grab some information about NOSW and the programs we offer, get some fun patriotic gear to sport for the event, then stay and enjoy a wonderful evening! We hope to see you there! And don't miss the fireworks!

Graduate Reunion | August 1, 2026

Attention NOSW Graduates! Mark your calendars! Our annual Graduate Reunion is happening on Saturday, August 1st this year! We are so looking forward to coming together to celebrate our sisterhood! More details will be coming your way as the date approaches, so keep an eye out. We can't wait to see you!

Movie Night at the Judy Drive-In August 15, 2026

Here's something fun to look forward to! On Saturday, August 15th, we are heading to the Judy Drive-In in Mt. Sterling, Kentucky for a family movie night featuring How to Train Your Dragon!

The whole family is welcome, and we have Dragon Training activities planned that are sure to delight the little ones and maybe a few of the bigger ones too! Keep an eye on our newsletters and Facebook page for more details as they come. Start making your plans now! This is one evening you will not want to miss!

Mountain Mischief | September 6, 2026

Good news! Mountain Mischief is back on! We are so excited to announce that this previously canceled event has been rescheduled and will now be taking place on Sunday, September 6th at Seven Lakes Pay Lake in Waco, Kentucky.

We are thrilled to finally be bringing this one to life and cannot wait to share all the details with you. Stay tuned to our newsletters and Facebook page as we get closer to the date. You will not want to miss it!

Millstone Festival | October 3, 2026

Mark your calendars! We will be set up at the Millstone Festival on Saturday, October 3rd, right on Main Street in Downtown Richmond.

Come enjoy a day full of local vendors, live entertainment, and family fun, then stop by our table to say hello and learn more about NOSW and the programs we offer. We would love to see you there!

NOSW Adult Prom | November 14, 2026

Get ready, because NOSW is hosting our very first Adult Prom on Saturday, November 14th!

Dust off your dancing shoes and break out your fanciest attire for a night of dressing up, dancing, and having a blast! Grab your significant other, or round up your sisters and best gal friends, because this one is for everybody! Keep an eye out for more details as we get closer to autumn. You'll want to be sure to make this an occasion!

Let the Sun In (Safely)

What if one of the most powerful tools for your mental health was something you could soak up just by stepping outside? Morning sunlight exposure, even just ten to fifteen minutes, has been shown to play a meaningful role in regulating your body's internal clock and supporting your mood. The idea is that light exposure early in the day helps signal to your brain when to release and suppress melatonin, which in turn helps regulate your circadian rhythm, the internal clock that governs sleep, energy, and even emotional regulation. Researchers continue to study the full scope of these effects, but the existing findings are pretty encouraging.

Here is what some of the existing research suggests:

Better mood regulation. Morning light exposure has been linked to increased serotonin activity, a neurotransmitter closely tied to feelings of wellbeing and calm.

Improved sleep quality. Getting natural light early in the day helps anchor your circadian rhythm, which can lead to falling asleep more easily and sleeping more soundly at night.

Lower risk of seasonal mood dips. Light exposure, particularly in the morning, has been associated with a reduced risk of seasonal affective symptoms.

More stable energy throughout the day. Morning sunlight helps regulate cortisol's natural rhythm, supporting steady energy rather than the crash many people feel in the afternoon.

A natural mood boost. Time spent in sunlight has been associated with reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety in several studies.

So here is a challenge for you: try stepping outside sometime in the morning for the next two weeks and let the sun find you, no sunglasses, just a few minutes of natural light on your face. Pay attention to how you feel. You might just notice your mood lifting, your sleep improving, and your energy feeling more steady throughout the day. These glorious summer months are an incredible time to make this part of your daily routine! Of course, always practice safe sun exposure. A little morning light goes a long way, and your body and mind just might thank you for it!

References:
Czeisler, C. A., et al. (1989). Bright light induction of strong (type 0) resetting of the human circadian pacemaker. Science.
Lambert, G. W., et al. (2002). Effect of sunlight and season on serotonin turnover in the brain. The Lancet.
Mead, M. N. (2008). Benefits of sunlight: a bright spot for human health. Environmental Health Perspectives.Wirz-Justice, A., et al. (1996). Light therapy in seasonal affective disorder. Acta Psychiatrica Scandinavica.

To view a full calendar of our 2026 schedule and events, please visit www.nosw.org/calendar/