PILLARS OF LIGHT & LOVE PROGRAMS
EMPOWERING YOUTH & ADULTS TO BE THEIR BEST
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JOIN US FOR EMPOWERING U DAY!
Empowering U Day is a space for adults and youth to slow down, connect, and explore simple ways to feel more grounded and supported.
Get ready for a fun and inspiring afternoon full of motivation, learning, and connecting with awesome people.
Take a few hours for you—to build confidence, learn simple ways to manage stress, and leave feeling empowered and more connected than when you arrived.
*Please note that children will not be permitted on the main level during adult sessions.. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adultfts for their age group on the lower level of the Empowering U Center.
Topics such as Stress and Time Management, How to Stop Overthinking & Worry, Building Confidence, Overcoming Frustration & Feeling Not Good Enough, Staying Positive in a Negative World, Effectively Communicating with Your Children, and more, will be taught by the following energetic and inspirational instructors:
Christy Smith, Founder of the Positive Education Organization | Positive Psychology Practitioner
Laura Burd, Founder of TravelZen ~ Boutique luxury wellness retreat company and Corporate Wellness Solutions
Kristin Landis, Mindset and Leadership Coach & Trainer
Brian Aikens, Author | Special Educator
Sonia Solomon, Founder Elevate with Ease | Positive Educator
Kassie Simpson, Masters in Education, Teen Talk Facilitator, Youth Program Instructor
Kathy Opperman, Coach & Founder of Pillars of Light and Love & the Empowering U Center
*Please note that children will not be permitted on the main level during adult sessions.. Children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult*
ENCOURAGEMENT gRoupS WEEKLY & MONTHLY
- *NEW* SibCircle for siblings of those with disabilities Call 484-854-1162
- *NEW* Men Rising- meets via ZOOM for male survivors of childhood sexual abuse REGISTER HERE
- *NEW* Support for Healing the Mother Wound REGISTER
- Female Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse via Zoom, REGISTER HERE
- BE ME KIDS empowerment program for ages 5-10. REGISTER HERE
- Courageous Kids Summer Camp empowerment program fo ages 5-10.
- MOTOS: For Women who Grieve the Passing of their Mother REGISTER
- "Encouraging U" Teen Talk Wednesdays 7:30 REGISTER HERE
- "Loving Someone with an Addiction" via Zoom REGISTER HERE
- Gentle Yoga via Zoom REGISTER HERE
GRIEF SUPPORT
- Pet Loss Grief Group - with Donna Carlson via Zoom REGISTER HERE
- "Loss of a Child to Suicide" REGISTER HERE
- "Loss of a Loved One to Overdose" REGISTER HERE
- Monthly Grief Support via ZOOM with Donna Carlson REGISTER HERE
Search all of our upcoming groups, Kindness Projects and workshops HERE or on the calendar below. If you don't see a group you need, please email us at Staff@PillarsofLightandLove.org
Our Story
Pillars of Light and Love is a non-profit located just outside Collegeville Pennsylvania in the borough of Trappe. Launched in 2014 by local well-known REALTOR, Kathy Opperman, a Certified Life Coach and former Registered Nurse. The mission of Pillars is to empower youth and adults to build self-esteem, confidence and strengthen abilities through educational, social, supportive and employment programs in an inclusive, diverse and collaborative environment. Through youth empowerment programs, workshops and support groups, we teach youth and adults to reduce stress, have strong self-esteem, overcome anxiety, depression and bullying. Our mission expanded in 2022 when we opened the So Much to Give Inclusive Cafe and then the So Much to Give Inspiration Studio in 2023 with a focus on inclusion and diversity.
All of our programs are created to help build confidence, achieve better coping techniques, positive communication skills, and healthy relationships. We believe when people are able to handle the challenges of life in healthy ways, it will help avoid addiction, self-harm, anxiety, overwhelming sadness and depression.
The "pillars" of light and love are the volunteers, instructors, and community members who help us support and empower individuals, and spread kindness with positivity, light and love!
We offer free a variety of ongoing support groups, empowerment workshops, and programs for ages 5 to adult, as well as youth empowerment programs like Julia's Joy Encouraging U Teen Talk. To serve the community we host Kindness Projects, and we have additional programs such as Andy's Angels and our annual Julia's Joy Voice Idol Competition each winter. Feel free to explore our site for more details!
The So Much to Give Inclusive Cafe, is located at 3401 W Skippack Pike, in Cedars, PA. The mission of the Cafe is to provide a welcoming & inclusive Cafe to empower all, including those with disabilities & their families, to have equal opportunities to work, dine, socialize, volunteer & learn. Learn more HERE
The So Much to Give Inspiration Studio's mission is to enrich the lives of those with disabilities through art, music, movement, learning and fun! The studio is located in the same shopping village as the So Much to Give Inclusive Cafe.
Donations raised for Pillars of Light and Love fund many workshops and are used to provide discounted or free services (based on availability), at the Empowering U Center, such as Life Coaching, Marriage Counseling, Family Therapy, Teen & Tween Coaching groups, Stress and Anxiety Management, EMDR Therapy, Biofeedback (a holistic alternative for anxiety and depression), as well as other anxiety and stress relief services for those with serious illnesses, caregivers of special needs children and adults, as well as disabled Veterans. These services are also available to the general public through the independent practitioners at the Empowering U Center.
Financial assistance for services at the Empowering U Center depends on availability of funding which is based on donations received at Pillars of Light and Love. Please call 484-854-1162, email staff@pillarsoflightandlove.org or click this link to apply online: https://forms.gle/yQZdzCzgb8vxZJ4H6.
Pillars of Light and Love does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, familial status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of our activities or operations.
SO MUCH TO GIVE INCLUSIVE CAFE
Pillars of Light and Love opened a restaurant in November of 2022 serving breakfast, lunch and dinner! The mission of the So Much to Give Inclusive Cafe is to provide a welcoming and inclusive experience to empower all people, including those with disabilities and their families, to have equal opportunities to work, dine, socialize, volunteer, gain independence and learn. The Cafe, founded by Tyler Kammerle, Maureen Stanko and our Founder, Kathy Opperman is located at 3401 W. Skippack Pike, in Cedars, located just outside Skippack Village in PA at the corner of Bustard Road and Skippack Pike.
We are excited to have hired over 60 employees where over 70% have voluntarily disclosed they have a diagnosed disability. Currently all positions are filled, however you may email to apply for a future position at SoMuchtoGiveCafePA@gmail.com
Learn more, view our menus, get info on our BINGO and Trivia Night dinners, events, and workshops, and support us with a donation at our Cafe website HERE.
To make a reservation for the Cafe call 484-854-3379 or click HERE
SO MUCH TO GIVE INSPIRATION STUDIO
FURTHER ENRICHING THE LIVES OFTHOSE WITH DISABILITIES
We opened the So Much to Give Inspiration Studio in July of 2023 in the same shopping center as our Cafe. Under the direction of Maureen Stanko, the mission of the studio is to enrich the lives of those with disabilities through art, music, movement, learning, socializing, creating independence, and fun! Classes are for those with disabilities age 15 through adulthood. The classes include evening social activities which integrate with various events at the So Much to Give Inclusive Cafe including BINGO & TRIVIA.
Learn more & see the class schedule and pricing at www.SoMuchtoGiveStudio.org
YOUR DONATIONS KEEP US GOING!
Your support helps us to educate youth to prevent suicide, stand up to bullies and build resilience. Your donations support our Julia's Joy Youth Empowerment Program, our support groups and programs for children and adults, as well as our So Much to Give missions to enrich the lives of those with disabilities. CLICK HERE
PILLARS BOARD OF DIRECTORS & ADMINISTRATION
- Kathy Opperman, Founder & President
- Theresa Modestine, Secretary/Treasurer
- Dr. Karen (Santillo) Fiorillo, Board Member
- Louise Petrillo, Esquire, Board Member
- Renee Grafstrom, Board Member
- Kim Mares, Board Member
- Kassie Simpson, Director of Charity Operations
- Christie (Pileggi) Neeld, Kindness Ambassador
- Leah LaBelle, Cafe Manager, So Much to Give Inclusive Cafe
- Maureen Stanko, Cofounder of the So Much to Give Inclusive Cafe & Cofounder/Director of the So Much to Give Program at the So Much to Give Inspiration Studio
- Kassie Simpson, Julia's Joy Teen Talk Facilitator
- Olivia Duffy, Administrator