ENCOURAGEMENT gRoupS WEEKLY & MONTHLY

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. In August of 2024, we expanded our Cafe to coffee counter service within Montgomery County Community College in Parkhouse Hall, and we opened a second counter in October of 2024 within the Health and Science Center in the college. This opened dozens more jobs for those with disabilities. 

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, practitioners, instructors, employees and those in the community who work with us to help us teach, support others. and spread kindness, caring, positive 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.

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