Professional Documents
Culture Documents
New Opportunity School For Women, Spring 2018
New Opportunity School For Women, Spring 2018
The classroom sits empty and there is silence in the hallways— A Small Star
something seems to be missing? It’s been nearly two weeks since By Joyce Rouse (Earth Mama)
our graduates were welcomed into the NOSW Sisterhood and those You don’t have to feel brave to be brave
of us on staff are aware of the quiet. We were honored and excited to And I don’t have to feel strong to be strong
celebrate and welcome into our NOSW sisterhood nine fabulous We don’t have to feel inspiring to inspire
women. We miss the laughter, the questions, and I miss the fact that Remember when your road is rough and long
during session my office felt like Grand Central Station. Thank
goodness for the phone calls, emails, and Facebook posts that keep Even a small star shines in the darkness
us connected. Each of them are engaged in lining up Internships in For someone somewhere to see
their home communities. The gift of session continues. It lights the way for those in the distance
That’s what your courage means to me
Session wouldn’t be possible without all the many volunteers,
faculty, meal hosts, our donors, our meal coordinator, house sisters
and core team. I want to thank those who made this session possible: With a grateful heart,
Carla Baumann (who saved us by organizing our schedule and ar- Robbie Pentecost
ranged for our faculty and outside activities), Jimmie Lewis (whose NOSW Interim Executive Director
presence, hugs and welcoming spirit is so much the core of our
mission), Susan Jordison (who keeps our bills paid, supplies ordered,
notebooks organized all with a smile), Mary Lewis (who hit the ground
running and lights up the room around her), Jasmine Newman (whose
creativity brought beauty and delight to our session), Lauren Skiles
(whose experience as a member of NOSW’s sisterhood and
counseling background bring calm to the rest of us) and Lou Erb (who
was initiated into the role of House Sister after attending our
nonresidential session in Hindman).
At graduation I shared the words from a song written by my friend NOSW Board of Directors
Joyce Rouse (aka Earth Mama) called A Small Star. This speaks to OFFICERS
me of our mission and the women we serve, and I want to share an Betsy Whaley, MACED, President
excerpt with you. Our graduates are small stars shining for us to see! Kenneth Wells, People’s Bank—Berea, Treasurer
Lauren Skiles (LPA), ‘03 NOSW Graduate, Secretary
DIRECTORS
Mary Absher, ‘05 NOSW Graduate, Community Volunteer
Carla Baumann, Osage Nurse Coaching, LLC
Elizabeth Combs, Wilkes & McHugh
Christie L. Green, Cumberland Valley District Health Department
Rodney Wolfenbarger, Brushy Fork Institute at Berea College
Born and raised in the mountain foothills of Pike County, Jasmine came
to the New Opportunity School for Women in the summer of 2014 as an
intern through the University of Kentucky’s Appalachian Center. Even
after her internship ended, Jasmine continued to work with the school
Important Dates as an intern, session assistant, and advocate. In 2017, Jasmine joined
the staff as our Marketing and Outreach
Graduate Retreat — August 24th - 27th VISTA and after a year of dedicated
Graduate Reunion — October 6th and hard work, we are pleased to
Festival of Trees — November 2nd - 4th introduce her as Marketing and
Fall Residential Session — November 3rd - 17th Communications Coordinator. In her
new role, Jasmine will continue to run
Non-Residential Sessions the school’s marketing and social
Coming Soon! media, as well as help to develop new
Want to help us host a non-residential session in your county? ways to recruit participants, donors, and
community partners. Outside of NOSW,
Send us an email at info@nosw.org or call us at 859.985.7200
Jasmine also currently serves on the
board of Bluegrass Greyhound