What a month it has been here at New Opportunity School for Women! We wrapped up a wonderful Three-Day Non-Residential Session on May 6th, gathered with our graduates twice for Financial Workshops, and had a blast mingling with friends and neighbors this past Saturday, at our MEAT and Greet event! Behind the scenes, we are also busy preparing for our first Two-Week Residential Session of the year, coming up next month. The office is buzzing, and we are so grateful to have you along for the ride!

In the midst of all of that momentum, we have paused to honor the women who make everything we do worthwhile. May brought us Mother's Day, a time to celebrate every woman who has nurtured, sacrificed, and shown up for someone else. We are talking about the mothers, the grandmothers, the aunts, and the friends who love like mothers. Whatever your relationship with motherhood looks like, this whole month is for you, and we see you.

At NOSW, we celebrate women every single day. And this month, that feels more meaningful than ever. May also brought us the sorrowful news of the passing of our beloved founder, Jane Stephenson. Saying goodbye is bittersweet. Jane built this house. She is, without question, the mother of this mission, and was a guiding light to hundreds of women who have worked through our programs. Her legacy is the foundation beneath our feet, and it is in her honor that we press forward with joy and purpose.

Our hearts have been so full knowing how deeply Jane touched so many lives. The calls, the messages, and the donations that have poured in since her passing are a beautiful testament to how inspirational and loved she truly was. If you would like to honor her memory with a gift to the mission she gave everything to build, we would be so grateful.

Crystal Sizemore

Outreach Coordinator

New Opportunity School for Women

To read more real-life stories from NOSW Graduates, subscribe to our magazine.

Life has not always been easy. I was born and raised in Manchester, Kentucky, by my mother and grandmother after my mother made the brave decision to leave my alcoholic and abusive father when my sibling and I were very young. We struggled financially, but my mother worked tirelessly to build a better life for us. Even with her protection, trauma still found its way into my life. After being abused as a child, I carried anger, shame, and pain for years. I never felt like I truly fit in, and by the time I was a teenager, I had turned to drugs, unhealthy relationships, and chaos because it was familiar to me. Over time, I became consumed by addiction, domestic violence, loss, and isolation, feeling completely lost and trapped by my own choices. 

Eventually, I reached a breaking point and desperately wanted a different life. After a night spent praying and searching for direction, I made the decision to enter treatment. Walking into that facility brought me a peace I had never known, and for the first time, I began learning how to heal and love myself. I stayed in treatment for a year and slowly built a new life grounded in recovery, purpose, and community. Three years later, I attended a session at NOSW, where I felt that same overwhelming sense of peace and belonging. The experience changed me deeply and helped me recognize my true self-worth. Soon after, I was unexpectedly offered a position with NOSW as Outreach Coordinator. Today, I am grateful to be living a life of purpose, helping others, and becoming the woman I was always meant to be. 

Have You Met The Appalachian Sisterhood?

If you haven't had a chance to check out our brand-new quarterly magazine, The Appalachian Sisterhood: The Power of Transformation, there's no better time than now! It is now out and ready for your viewing pleasure online, or in print!

If you appreciated reading Crystal's story; love to read real life stories of the women of Appalachia, you'll want to get your hands on a copy of this new publication! Each issue features powerful, first-person stories from NOSW graduates; honest, courageous accounts of the challenges they've faced and the strength they've discovered within themselves. These are the real women behind our mission, and their voices deserve to be heard far and wide.

Subscriptions are donation-based, meaning you choose the amount that works for you. Every subscription helps us continue empowering women across Kentucky and Appalachia while bringing these important stories to light.

Already subscribed? We'd love your help spreading the word! Share The Appalachian Sisterhood with a friend, a neighbor, or anyone in your life who believes in the power of women lifting each other up. The more voices we reach, the greater the impact we can make together.

Kentucky Gives Day was Phenomenal! We can’t thank you enough for your generosity!

We are still in awe of the generosity shown to NOSW during KY Gives Day. On May 12 our organization took part in our local Day of Giving to connect with our community of supporters.

Because of amazing donors like you, we were able to raise a total of $1,210 toward our mission during KY Gives Day! Each gift made will play a critical role in allowing us to better serve the women when they arrive in June for our Two-Week Residential Session!

Your relationship with New Opportunity School for Women is important to us and we want to share news and updates with you.

Stay connected by subscribing to our magazine and following us on our social media channels. Invite your friends to join you!

Magazine Subscription- https://www.nosw.org/mag

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/noswberea

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/nosw_enrich/ 

Linkedin - https://www.linkedin.com/company/new-opportunity-school-for-women-inc/posts/?feedView=all 

Newsletter Subscription Link - https://nosw.org/newsletter-sign-up/

We look forward to engaging with you throughout the year and offering ways for you to stay involved with our cause.

“To every donor who showed up for us on KY Gives Day, THANK YOU! Your generosity means more women will have access to barrier-free support and the tools to move toward stable work, education, and a stronger future. We’re also thankful to the organizers at kygives.org for creating a day that brings Kentucky together around giving. Because of this community support, our team can keep showing up, steady, thoughtful, and mission-focused, for the women we serve."

-Angel Short

Executive Director

New Opportunity School for Women

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

100 Women of Lexington

We are so honored to share that we have received a generous donation of $4,905 from the incredible 100 Women of Lexington!

For the past three years, we have had the privilege of walking alongside this remarkable group of women who come together with a shared purpose: to lift up other women and the meaningful work they are doing in their communities.

We are deeply grateful for their continued belief in our mission and for the impact their generosity makes possible. Thank you, 100 Women of Lexington!

Needs Fair at Enrich, Richmond, KY

On April 29th, we had a wonderful time setting up a table at the Needs Fair at Enrich in Richmond! It was a great opportunity to connect with the community, share information about our programs, and have some really meaningful conversations with women who may be ready to take their next step. We love getting out into the communities we serve, and events like this one are a reminder of just how many women are out there looking for exactly what NOSW has to offer. It was a pleasure to be there!

Community Outreach at Walmart, Berea, KY

On May 13th, our team spent the day set up outside of Walmart in Berea, and what a great day it was! We had the chance to connect with so many wonderful people, share information about NOSW and our upcoming programs, and get the word out about our MEAT and Greet Community Event.

It is always such a joy to bring our mission out into the community and meet people right where they are. Thank you to everyone who stopped by to chat! We loved every conversation!

Meat and Greet — May 23, 2026

Our first fundraiser event in over four years was everything we hoped it would be and more! Last Saturday, we welcomed roughly 75 community members to First Christian Church Gymnasium for our Meat and Greet, co-hosted with Hope's Wings, and the energy in that room was something special. Between the food, the bake sale tables, the raffles, and the silent auctions, there was something for everyone. The highlight of the afternoon, though, was simply the people! Neighbors meeting neighbors, conversations happening across tables, and a whole lot of kindness filling the room.

When the dust settled, we had raised over $3,000 to benefit both NOSW and Hope's Wings. We are deeply thankful to every person who attended, volunteered, donated, and helped get the word out. This community continues to show up in the most beautiful ways, and we do not take that for granted.

Berea Farmers' Market — June 6, 2026

If you are planning to spend your Saturday morning shopping for fresh, locally grown produce and locally farmed goods, come find us while you are there! We will be set up at the Berea Farmers' Market at the 635 Chestnut Street Pavilion on Saturday, June 6th from 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Stop by our table, say hello, and let us tell you a little bit about the New Opportunity School for Women and the programs we offer. We would love to connect with you!

Independence Day Celebration at Lake Reba! July 4, 2026

Come celebrate America's 250th birthday with us! We will be set up at the Richmond Independence Day Celebration at Lake Reba Park on Saturday, July 4th from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM. Stop by our table, pick up some information about NOSW and our programs, and enjoy a fun-filled evening of patriotic festivities. We would love to see you there, and don't forget to stick around for the fireworks!

Graduate Reunion — August 1, 2026

Attention NOSW Graduates! Please note that our annual Graduate Reunion has a schedule change this year and will be held on Saturday, August 1st. We are so excited to gather together and celebrate the incredible women of our NOSW community! Stay tuned for more details to come as we get closer to the date. We cannot wait to see you all!

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

Get ready for a night to remember! On Saturday, August 15th, we are heading to the Judy Drive-In in Mt. Sterling, Kentucky for an unforgettable family movie night featuring How to Train Your Dragon! This is going to be a thrilling evening for the whole family, complete with awesome Dragon Training activities that will have the kids absolutely buzzing with excitement. Whether you are 5 or 105, this is one you will not want to miss! Stay tuned to our newsletters and Facebook page for all the details as they come. Start planning now and get ready to train your dragon!

Mountain Mischief — September 6, 2026

Mark your calendars, because this one is going to be fun! We are excited to announce that our previously canceled Mountain Mischief event has been rescheduled and will be taking place on Sunday, September 6th at Seven Lakes Pay Lake in Waco, Kentucky! We are so glad to finally be bringing this one to life, and we cannot wait to share more details with you. Stay tuned to our upcoming newsletters and keep an eye on our Facebook page for all the details as they unfold. You will not want to miss this one!

Kick Off Your Shoes!

What if one of the simplest things you could do for your health required nothing more than a patch of grass and your bare feet? Emerging science suggests that placing your bare feet directly on the ground, a practice known as earthing or grounding, may offer some genuinely impressive benefits for your body and mind. The idea is that direct skin contact with the Earth's surface allows your body to absorb naturally occurring free electrons, which are believed to act as antioxidants. Researchers agree that more large-scale studies are needed, but the early findings are pretty compelling!

Here is what some of the existing research suggests:

Reduced inflammation. Grounding may help neutralize harmful molecules in the body, potentially easing chronic pain and inflammation.

Better sleep and less stress. Studies suggest earthing can help regulate cortisol, your body's primary stress hormone, supporting both sleep quality and anxiety levels.

A calmer nervous system. Regular practice has been shown to shift the body away from its stressed out "fight or flight" state and toward a more restorative "rest and digest" mode.

Faster recovery. Clinical observations suggest grounding may support faster healing and reduced muscle soreness.

Better movement. Walking barefoot naturally shifts your stride in ways that reduce impact on your knees and hips and improve your balance over time.

So here is your homework for today. Kick off your shoes and let those piggies breathe! Step outside and let your feet touch the earth for a few minutes. Make it a small daily ritual throughout these warm summer months. Your body just might thank you for it!

Arnold, E. (2024, July 17). Does walking barefoot improve your health? - agape family health. Agape Family Health - Jacksonville Community Health Clinic. https://www.agapefamilyhealth.org/walking-barefoot-and-health-benefits/

Center, S. G. H. (2025, June 17). Southwest General Health Center. Southwest General. https://www.swgeneral.com/blog/2025/june/what-is-earthing-and-does-it-actually-help-your-/

Hartford HealthCare. (2026, January 4). How to Reset Your Day in Just Five Minutes. St. Vincent’s Medical Center. https://stvincents.org/about-us/news-press/news-detail?articleId=68877#:~:text=According%20to%20Mehak%20Gandhi%2C%20MD%2C%20primary%20care,your%20feet%20back%20to%20stretch%20your%20legs

Kim, J. S., Lee, M. M., Kim, D. S., & Shin, C. S. (2024). Effects of barefoot walking in urban forests on CRP, IFNΓ, and serotonin levels. Healthcare, 12(23), 2372. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare12232372

Lockett, E. (2025, February 28). What is grounding and can it improve your health?. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/grounding

Still Thinking About Taking That Step?

Applications for our June Two-Week Residential Session are now closed, but you can still apply for the next one coming up in October! We also have several Three-Day Non-Residential Sessions coming up throughout the rest of the year.

If you or someone you know has been thinking about making a change, there is still time to take that leap. If a Two-Week program seems overwhelming to you, our Three-Day Non-Residential Sessions offer a powerful and accessible first step toward something truly life-changing, and they are open for several months yet this year. Take that step. Do it for YOU!

When applying, simply note your preferred session date.

Upcoming Three-Day Session dates are as follows:

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! 

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