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Meet Our Founder

Kathy Opperman, Founder and President

Kathy Opperman, Certified Life Coach, has a passion for helping others become the best version of themselves. A graduate of Gwynedd Mercy College, she practiced as a registered nurse in the 1980s. She later joined her family’s business as a REALTOR®, where she became a manager, trainer, and eventually owner. She is a well-known, award-winning REALTOR® and Branch Manager for Long & Foster Real Estate Companies in Collegeville, PA.

The Beginning of Pillars of Light and Love

In 2011, after extensive surgery for a rare skin cancer on her scalp, Kathy was inspired to open a different kind of Wellness Center in 2013. However, she soon discovered many people needed the stress relief services and Life Coaching offered there, but could not afford them. She was encouraged to start a non-profit organization whose mission would be to help youth and adults lead happier and successful lives.

In a name spoken to her while praying, Pillars of Light and Love was formed in the Fall of 2014 and received IRS 501(c)(3) charity status in January 2015. In December 2014, the Wellness Center was closed, and Pillars of Light and Love became the main tenant of the newly named Empowering U Center(opens in new tab), owned by Kathy on Main Street in Trappe, PA.

Building a Mission Through Service

Pillars of Light and Love exists solely on donations and grants and has been partially funded by Kathy to sustain its mission since 2014. Kathy is completing a self-improvement book and teaches several workshops onsite and at local businesses on Stress and Time Management, Creating Peace in Your Life, and more. Many lives have been positively transformed through the Empowering U Center(opens in new tab).

The So Much to Give Inclusive Café

In November 2022, Kathy spearheaded the renovations and opening of the So Much to Give Inclusive Café as a program of Pillars of Light and Love.

So Much to Give was a program created by Maureen Stanko and launched in January 2022 within Pillars of Light and Love. Inspired by the need to create opportunities for her son with autism, the mission was to help young adults with disabilities gain personal fulfillment by utilizing their unique gifts and talents to make a positive difference in the community.

Maureen’s friend, Tyler Kammerle, had been developing an innovative restaurant concept that sought to further this mission by combining employment opportunities for people with disabilities and implementing accessible systems to create a truly inclusive dining experience for all.

Because of this, Kathy Opperman and the Board of Directors of Pillars of Light and Love decided to work alongside Tyler to open the So Much to Give Inclusive Café(opens in new tab), and Maureen eagerly joined the project. Thanks to the hard work of many and the endless support from the community, the So Much to Give Inclusive Café opened in November 2022, just six months after Kathy and Tyler first connected. In early 2025, Tyler moved on to pursue other endeavors in the special needs community. 

The So Much to Give Inspiration Studio

The So Much to Give Inspiration Studio is an inclusive and accepting space where people of all abilities can connect, create, and experience a true sense of belonging. Its programs are made possible in large part through the generous support of volunteers and donors.

Since opening in July 2023 under the direction of Maureen Stanko, the Studio has grown to offer more than 40 social sessions open to the public each month. Activities include art, music, movement, dance, karaoke, theater, community service, and meals with friends at the So Much to Give Inclusive Café. Maureen is a retired reading specialist and teacher of gifted and talented students in the Methacton School District. She is also a Licensed Spellers Practitioner, and the Studio now offers group sessions for Spellers.

Continuing to Serve the Community

There is no telling what idea Kathy and her team will take on next, but it will undoubtedly involve helping others live their best lives.

“When there’s a need in the community, or someone comes to me and says, ‘I’d like to do a program for young adults with disabilities, or there is a need for a group for women navigating divorce, or for a estranged parent and grandparents’, I say, ‘OK, let’s create it,’” said Kathy.

Today, Pillars of Light and Love empowers thousands of individuals each year through youth and adult programs, kindness projects, support groups, inclusive employment, creative inclusive community experiences that help people discover hope, confidence, acceptance and purpose. 

Awards & Recognition

In 2018, Pillars of Light and Love received the PVStars Best of the Valley Non-Profit Organization of the Year award from Perkiomen Valley Chamber of Commerce.

Kathy received an Honorable Mention and Web Choice Favorite Award for her charity work from the National Association of REALTORS® in November 2022. Watch the nomination video here.(opens in new tab)

In October 2024, Kathy was nominated by her husband, Rick Opperman, and won first place in the Community Service Award through the TriCounty Suburban Association of REALTORS®. She was awarded a $10,000 grant for Pillars of Light and Love to help sustain and expand its various missions. 

The So Much to Give Inclusive Cafe has been recognized by several news outlets and other non-profits. View the cafes YouTube channel here.(opens in new tab)

View Pillars of Light and Love YouTube channel here.(opens in new tab)

Connect With Kathy

Follow Kathy on her personal Facebook page here(opens in new tab). 

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Kathy’s Inspirational Moment

"The above photo is of me contemplating my life's purpose atop the Airport Vortex in Sedona in April 2017. It was the day before this photo that I heard of the suicide of 14 year-old Julia Morath, a child I did not know but who has had a huge impact on my life. Now, because of the inspiration I was praying for atop this mountain,  the lives of many tweens and teens have been transformed and positively impacted in many ways."

"I was inspired to start a program called "Julia's Joy", and with her parents permission the program was born in memory of Julia in May of 2017.  I wanted to be able to help other teens find their joy in life, and to help them know they are not alone-even though they may think they are! "

Julia was a fun-loving teen who had many friends, a loving family, and yet she could not find peace and joy in her heart. She was a giving soul who helped others and served at missions. Her family told me it would bring her much happiness to know that a program in her name is inspiring others and helping them to find their joy! I thank God and Julia for the inspiration to make a difference with Julia's Joy, and the many lives she has touched!" 

— Kathy Opperman

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