PILLARS OF LIGHT & LOVE PROGRAMS
EMPOWERING YOUTH & ADULTS TO BE THEIR BEST
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Become a SPARK OF LIGHT AND LOVE THIS JULY!
Help Us find 500 Sparks of Light and LOVe
This July, as we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, we are reminded of the ideals that bring people together: hope, courage, freedom, opportunity, and the belief that every person deserves the chance to shine.
At Pillars of Light and Love, we bring these ideals to life through inclusive employment, free community workshops, mental wellness initiatives, support groups, and welcoming spaces where youth and adults of all ages, abilities, and life circumstances can feel supported, valued, encouraged, and connected.
We invite you to become one of 500 Sparks of Light & Love by donating — or raising — $100 by July 31st.
Every act of kind generosity begins with a spark:
A spark of hope for someone who feels alone.
A spark of light in someone’s darkest moment.
A spark of confidence that grows into courage.
A spark of resilience when life feels overwhelming.
A spark of possibility when it is needed most.
A spark of an idea to change the world!
Your $100 spark of light and love gift helps sustain the life-changing work of Pillars of Light and Love, including inclusive employment at the So Much To Give Inclusive Café, public creative and social experiences at the So Much To Give Inspiration Studio, and free Pillars programs that foster confidence, resilience and connection.
Becoming a spark of light and love is more than making a donation. You can also be a spark by sharing our campaign, starting a fundraising team, inviting friends to give, and shining your light on our mission. Your efforts are very much appreciated.
Together, 500 sparks of light and love can create a light that continues shining long after the fireworks fade!
Will you be one of our 500 Sparks of Light & Love this July? All those who donate $100 will receive a 20% OFF coupon for one meal at our So Much to Give Inclusive Cafe!
ENCOURAGEMENT gRoupS WEEKLY & MONTHLY
- *SEE 17 New SUMMER Workshops by Christy Smith HERE
- 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.
Many of our empowerment programs and support initiatives are designed to help people build confidence, develop healthy coping strategies, strengthen communication and form positive 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 community through inclusive public social sessions focusing on art, music, movement, theatre, and community service in an environment where people of all abilities can enjoy meaningful experiences together. 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 have dozens of employees who have voluntarily disclosed they have a diagnosed disability. Currently all positions are filled, however you may email us 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. Check out our All-You-Can-Eat Sunday Breakfast Buffet from 8:30am-12noon followed by our regular lunch menu. Our hours are Wednesday to Sunday 8:30am-2:30pm and Friday and Saturday nights for dinner from 5-8:30pm. We have a private room for private parties up to 50 guests on our second floor which has elevator access.
To make a reservation for the Cafe call 484-854-3379 or click HERE
SO MUCH TO GIVE INSPIRATION STUDIO
We opened the So Much to Give Inspiration Studio in July of 2023. Under the direction of Maureen Stanko, the mission of the studio is to enrich the community through inclusive public social sessions focusing on art, music, movement, theatre, and community service in an environment where people of all abilities can enjoy meaningful experiences together. Learn more & see the events 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 support of inclusive employment through the So Much To Give Café and accessible creative, recreational and social opportunities through the Inspiration Studio. CLICK HERE
PILLARS BOARD OF DIRECTORS & ADMINISTRATION
- Kathy Opperman, Founder & President
- Theresa Modestine, Secretary/Treasurer
- Dr. Karen Fiorillo, Board Member
- Louise Petrillo, Esquire, Board Member
- Renee Grafstrom, Board Member
- Kim Mares, Board Member
- Kassie Simpson, Director of Charity Operations & Events
- 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
- Christen MacQueen, Director of Fundraising
- Olivia Duffy, Administrator