A SCARLET CORD
The Natalie’s Sisters logo features a red cord, a reference to the biblical story of Rahab in Joshua 6. Living in the margins of Jericho, Rahab chose a different path when she provided refuge and protection to those in need. To signal her household’s safety during the city's transition, she hung a scarlet cord from her window - a bold marker of faith and a lifeline for her family.
For us, the red cord represents the "first-touch" of restoration. It is the signal of a safe harbor and the beginning of an intentional journey toward a new identity. Just as Rahab moved from the edges of her community to a place of honor and purpose, the red cord serves as a symbol of hope, marking the threshold where crisis ends and a purposeful, redeemed future begins.
ABOUT
Our Story: From a Single Meal to a Citywide Mission
The Beginning
In 2000, we started with a simple question and a home-cooked meal. After a local bouncer told us that the women in his club "just needed to know someone cared," we began weekly visits to provide food and unconditional support. For over 24 years, those visits have never stopped. We go into the clubs and onto the streets to meet women exactly where they are, without judgment, building the trust required for real change.
The Turning Point
In 2011, our mission shifted from outreach to deep intervention. The tragic murder of a woman we served solidified our calling: we needed to provide more than just a meal; we needed to provide a way out. Partnering with local law enforcement, we expanded our reach to the streets of Lexington, identifying a massive, unmet need for a safe harbor during the day.
The Strategy: Respite and Relationship
Today, Natalie’s Sisters operates two daytime Drop-In Centers in Lexington. These centers are the "first-touch" of our restoration model. It is a place of sanctuary where women experiencing trauma - from childhood abuse to human trafficking - can find immediate respite. Here, we provide for physical needs, celebrate milestones like birthdays and sobriety, and begin the long-term work of rebuilding God-given identity.
The Long Game
We are committed to the long game of restoration. When a woman is ready to reclaim her life, we are her bridge to the community, providing strategic referrals for mental health, detox, and recovery programs. Whether it takes weeks or decades, we stay the course. We’ve seen seeds planted in the year 2000 flourish into baptisms 17 years later. We serve with the belief that no matter how long the journey, every woman we serve is worth the investment.
SERVICE AREAS
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CLUB OUTREACH
Team members visit local adult entertainment clubs weekly, providing home-cooked meals, resources, love, hope and encouragement.
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STREET OUTREACH
Team members deliver weekly snack bags and toiletries in targeted areas as an introduction to the ministry.
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DROP-IN CENTERS
Team members provide a safe retreat by offering food, clothing, and critical community resource referrals.
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JAIL & HOSPITAL Outreach
Team members visit the jail and local hospitals. This can be a critical time to connect, as women are out of their normal environment and often looking for help.
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PRAYER & ENCOURAGEMENT
The teams cover the women and the entire ministry in prayer throughout the week. Encouragement cards are provided to the women we serve.
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SECURITY
Team members drive and provide security for outreach teams.
OUR STAFF
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Deb Nickell
Executive Director
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Devon Penn
Client Service Specialist
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Olivia Byrne
Client Service Specialist
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Sarah Harris
Outreach Program Coordinator
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Melinda Guest
Operations Manager
OUR FOUNDER
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JANI LEWIS
OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS
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DIANE PEREZ
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JENNY TRUE REED
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SHAUN DENNEY
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SHEILA MYERS
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DONNA MALLANY
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RON HARGETT
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SHANNON DUNN
Stay Connected
We regularly share Impact Updates that combine stories of hope with the facts about our ministry’s progress. Together, we are seeing the landscape of our neighborhoods change.