What a year it is already shaping up to be! We hit the ground running in 2026 with a successful Three-Day Non-Residential Session in February, another beginning today, and several more on the schedule ahead. Our Graduate Groups are going strong with at least one meeting every month, and we have some exciting community events headed your way! And if that weren't enough, we are busy laying the groundwork for our first two-week Residential Session of the year this June. We are so thankful for your support and can't wait for you to see what's ahead. The best is yet to come!

International Women's Day Fundraiser

This year, we decided to celebrate International Women's Day a little differently, and it was a hit! On Sunday, March 8, Milestone Tattoo Studio in Richmond, KY generously hosted a fundraiser event in our honor, bringing together community members to celebrate women and the journeys that shape them in a nontraditional but truly empowering way.

Thanks to everyone who came out and got tattooed, we are thrilled to announce that $1,210 was raised to support the women attending our residential program this June. It was fascinating to see the art that women chose; a true testament to what empowerment means to each of them. The turnout and enthusiasm were a beautiful reflection of the heart behind our mission.

We are deeply grateful to Milestone Tattoo Studio for their generosity, talent, and support, as well as to every person who attended, shared the event, or contributed in any way. You made a real difference!

Grants Update

We are proud to share that NOSW has received several grants in recent months, reflecting the continued confidence our funding partners have in the work we do. These awards allow us to further our mission of empowering women across Kentucky and Appalachian communities. We are deeply grateful for the support!

2025 Annual Report: A Year in Review

In 2025, New Opportunity School for Women reached 294 women across 27 Kentucky and Appalachian counties through our residential programs, three-day non-traditional sessions, graduate groups, and community events.

We are proud to have provided barrier-free supports including scholarships, childcare, and transportation; ensuring that every woman had the opportunity to fully participate and thrive. Through these efforts, we continue to offer tools that build confidence, open doors to educational and employment opportunities, and create lasting impact for women and their families.

None of this would be possible without the generous support of our 240 donors and 100 volunteers who make our mission a reality. Thank you for believing in the women we serve!

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

Introducing The Appalachian Sisterhood: The Power of Transformation

We are thrilled to officially announce the launch of our new magazine,             The Appalachian Sisterhood: The Power of Transformation!

This publication is something we've been dreaming about for a long time; a platform where our graduates can share their stories, in their own voices, from their own perspectives. Each issue features powerful testimonials from the women who have walked through our programs and emerged transformed.

These are stories of courage, resilience, and hope. They're honest accounts of the challenges our graduates have faced and the strength they've discovered within themselves. Through The Appalachian Sisterhood, you'll meet the real women behind the mission of the New Opportunity School for Women and witness firsthand the life-changing impact of this work.

How to Subscribe:

The Appalachian Sisterhood is available quarterly in both electronic and print versions. Subscriptions are donation-based, meaning you choose the price that works for you. Every subscription helps us continue empowering women across Kentucky and Appalachia while bringing these important stories to light.

We invite you to join us in celebrating these remarkable women and the power of transformation. Subscribe today and step into the lives of the remarkable women whose transformations prove what's possible when we invest in each other.

Kristi Worley                                                                Editor-in-Chief, Appalachian Sisterhood                     New Opportunity School for Women

Hello! My name is Kristi Worley, and I am thrilled to have joined the New Opportunity School for Women family as an intern. I officially stepped into this role in December, and I have hit the ground running as the lead on our exciting new magazine project.

As a 36-year-old single mother and a Creative Writing MFA student at Eastern Kentucky University, I believe deeply in the power of storytelling. I am so excited to use my passion for words to help amplify the voices of the NOSW sisters through this magazine. Whether it’s through poetry, personal essays, or art, I can’t wait to help showcase the incredible talent that defines the amazing women who have gone through this program… and hopefully inspire more women to do the same!

I encourage you to subscribe to this phenomenal collaboration of stories that we have put together in this magazine. I hope you'll enjoy following their journeys as much as I have. 

Become a Magazine Sponsor

We're inviting businesses and community partners to sponsor an issue of The Appalachian Sisterhood. Your sponsorship helps keep our programming barrier-free for women across Kentucky and Appalachia while demonstrating your commitment to women's education and workforce readiness.

Sponsorship opportunities are available for upcoming issues. If you or your business would like to learn more about sponsorship options and deadlines, we'd love to hear from you. Simply reply to this email for more information.

A Community Picnic with a Purpose!

Join us on Saturday, May 23 from 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM for a free community picnic partnering with Hope's Wings! Enjoy a complimentary lunch, fun activities for the kids, and a raffle featuring locally sourced farm fresh meats, produce, and other Appalachian goodies, all while supporting two organizations making a difference in our community.

Raffle tickets will be available for purchase at the event. We would love to see you there! Click the Events button for more information!

Session Applications Are Now Open!

Applications are now open for our 2026 Residential Programs! If you or someone you know is ready to take a transformative step forward, we would love to hear from you. Click the Apply button below or visit our website to learn more.

Not quite ready for a full Residential Program? A 3-day Session might be the perfect fit! We have openings available for most months in 2026, and we encourage you to take that leap of faith. Do it for YOU! Visit the "What We Do" tab on our website to explore everything we have to offer.

Exciting things are happening at NOSW this year, and there are meaningful ways for you to get involved!

Volunteer with Us

Volunteers are the heartbeat of every non-profit, and we would love to have you join ours! We'd love for you to step in for an upcoming event! Whether you have a few hours to spare or are looking for a deeper ongoing commitment, there is a place for you on our team. Together, we'll create meaningful experiences that strengthen our community and support the women we serve.

Become a Sponsor

We would be honored to partner with you or your business in support of our events and programs! Sponsorships play a vital role in expanding our reach and deepening our impact, while giving you the opportunity to align with meaningful work in our community. If you are interested in learning more, we would love to hear from you!

Together, we make the difference.

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