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Welcome to ALTAR Community
Come take up space.
ALTAR Community is more than a business to me—it’s a movement. This unique third space was born from my own longing for a place where I could show up fully as myself, without pretense or pressure. I wanted to create a community where deep conversations, shared wisdom, and meaningful connections could flourish, supporting each woman’s journey in a way that feels authentic and nourishing.
Whether you join us for a workshop, retreat, or community gathering, ALTAR is here to walk alongside you. With opportunities for collaboration, mentorship, and storytelling, I invite you to be part of a network of women dedicated to uplifting and empowering one another. I would love for you to be part of it.
With gratitude,
Kathy Bresler, ALTAR Founder & Consciousness Concierge
Our Mission
Our mission is to hold space for women to simply be—free from expectation and full of possibility. Through dynamic programs, thought-provoking conversations, and soulful creativity, we foster a community that uplifts, nurtures, and co-creates a more empowered future for all.
Our Vision
We are co-creating a culture of deep belonging.
We envision a world where sistering is second nature, women instinctively lift each other up, and community serves as the foundation for personal and collective transformation. Here, healing and empowerment are not luxuries—they are woven into the fabric of everyday life, nurtured by spaces that invite us to simply be.
The Spirit of ALTAR: Our Core Values
ALTAR Community is built on deeply held beliefs that guide every experience we create, from sacred gatherings to personal reflection. These principles infuse our space with purpose, shaping an environment where healing, connection, and empowerment thrive.
Belonging is a Birthright
ALTAR is a space where every woman is seen, valued, and accepted—without the need to prove or perform. We honor the richness of diverse experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives, creating a community where authenticity is the only expectation. Whether through sacred gatherings, deep conversations, or shared rituals, we cultivate a culture of true inclusivity and connection.
These core values are the heartbeat of the ALTAR community, shaping a sanctuary where every moment matters.
Meet the Team That Makes the Magic
The heart of the ALTAR community lies in its people. Our dedicated team works to cultivate a space where connection thrives and transformative experiences unfold. Alongside our skilled practitioners and vibrant members, we create a welcoming sanctuary where everyone can grow, heal, and truly belong.
Kathy Bresler
Kathy is ALTAR's founder and Consciousness Concierge. Her vision and drive are the foundation of ALTAR Community. Drawing on her varied background in business and her deep interest in personal growth, she has thoughtfully crafted a one-of-a-kind community for women. Her goal is to provide a welcoming place where women can feel comfortable being themselves and connect with others on a journey of self-discovery. With her experience as an Inter-Spiritual Minister and SoulCollage® facilitator, she offers guidance and support to those seeking deeper self-understanding. Kathy's approach, likened to a concierge assisting guests, helps individuals explore their inner landscape and enhance their well-being.
Meg Barnhart
Meg Barnhart is ALTAR’s Strategic Growth Partner. At her core, Meg believes that people are all interconnected. She is passionate about creating a culture of kindness and has spent most of her adult life advocating on behalf of children and adults with learning differences. Throughout her career, Meg has built teams, advocated on behalf of others, and experienced invaluable coaching while scaling her own consciously crafted business. She feels that ALTAR is a perfect fit for where she is in her life and is excited to help Kathy execute and expand her vision of what ALTAR can become. Outside of work, Meg loves spending time with her husband and 3 adult children, her friends, and her 11-year-old Havanese, Aubrey.
Sara Collins
Sara Collins is ALTAR’s Business Development & Growth Consultant with over 15 years of experience across advertising, production, and visual storytelling. Grounded in empathy, integrity, and collaboration, Sara believes deeply in quality over quantity and is motivated by work that balances strategic rigor with human-centered care. She is especially passionate about helping mission-driven organizations expand thoughtfully while staying true to their core values. Sara is drawn to ALTAR for its commitment to mindfulness, community, and supporting the whole human experience. She brings a blend of strategic thinking, relationship-building, and creative problem-solving to help translate ALTAR’s mission into meaningful opportunities, including value-aligned event rentals, corporate off-sites, and retreats. Outside of work, Sara maintains a long-standing mindfulness and yoga practice, enjoys time with family, and finds inspiration in art, film, and the cultural life of Chicago.
Bridget Mikols
Bridget Mikols is ALTAR’s Community Experience Manager. Throughout her career, Bridget has always been passionate about creating employee engagement programs to bring teams together and foster a true sense of community. Drawing on that background and her experience in business, wellness, and human behavior, she is excited to support ALTAR’s members by encouraging a community of exchange: a place where women can come together to live out their own dreams through collaboration, sharing their unique gifts, and receiving gifts and support from others. Bridget loves being a personal support to members, offering guidance on programs they may love, people they should meet, and how they can use ALTAR as a space of refuge amidst the business of life. Outside of work, Bridget loves doing anything physical and challenging—lifting weights, biking, hiking, and dancing—and spending time outdoors when it’s sunny and warm.
Stephanie Veraghen
As ALTAR's Operations Manager, Stephanie artfully weaves business strategy with holistic well-being, creating the foundation where structure meets soul. Her unique background—blending business coaching and Fractional COO experience with degrees in Graphic Design, Advertising/Public Relations, and Transpersonal Psychology—infuses our community with mindful leadership and creative vision.
Drawn to ALTAR by her commitment to empowering women and fostering meaningful transformation, Stephanie cultivates spaces where authentic connection and personal growth flourish. When not harmonizing ALTAR's operations, she embraces life's joys through travel and cherished moments with family and her beloved dogs, Tony and Lola—embodying the balance of purpose and presence central to our community.
Elena Soboleva
As ALTAR's Social Media & Branding Strategist, Elena weaves her passion for women's empowerment with expert storytelling to create authentic brand experiences that resonate deeply with our community. With mindful intention, she helps women entrepreneurs cultivate brands that align with their true essence, extending ALTAR's mission of sacred connection to women throughout Chicago seeking meaningful community.
She was originally drawn to ALTAR's uniquely genuine space where authentic conversations flourish. Now, Elena nurtures our digital presence with the same care given to our physical gatherings. When not crafting transformative brand strategies, she embraces personal development journeys, responds joyfully to invitations for embodied movement, and challenges her analytical mind by conquering the most intricate escape rooms alongside her partner—embodying our values of continuous growth, present engagement, and spirited curiosity.
Jamie Manville-Estes
Jamie channels her diverse expertise—spanning mental healthcare administration to retail management—into her role as ALTAR's Communications Manager, where she helps women transform their unique perspectives into cohesive, powerful messaging. With meticulous attention to organization and brand voice, she creates experiences that honor each woman's journey while fostering our collective vision of sacred community.
Our invitation to "come take up space" resonates deeply with Jamie, aligning perfectly with her devotion to empowering women to expand into their authentic greatness rather than diminishing to meet others' expectations. Beyond cultivating meaningful communications at ALTAR, Jamie nourishes her creative spirit through cinematic storytelling, literary exploration, and culinary adventures shared with family and friends—reflecting our community's celebration of personal expression, lifelong learning, and meaningful connection.
Learn More About Our Events and Offerings
ALTAR Community offers a dynamic space for women to connect, grow, and thrive through intentional experiences designed to nurture both personal and professional transformation. Our workshops and gatherings provide opportunities for deep learning and meaningful dialogue, while our retreats and community events create sacred spaces for reflection, wholeness, and authentic connection.
We also host monthly Clubhouse Events, which are free for members and open to the public. These events offer a diverse range of experiences such as breathwork and meditation, women’s healing circles, entrepreneurial workshops, and holistic wellness classes, providing opportunities to learn, connect, and recharge in a supportive community.
Additionally, ALTAR welcomes inspiring speakers and hosts authors for book talks, fostering thought-provoking conversations, storytelling, and collective growth.
Each event is thoughtfully curated to align with our mission of fostering meaningful growth and community. Visit our event page for a complete schedule and details on upcoming experiences.
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SoulCollage® at ALTAR
At ALTAR, SoulCollage is one of our signature offerings, and you’ll find a variety of resources to use when you’re in our space. ALTAR Founder and SoulCollage Facilitator, Kathy Bresler, also offers programs and half-day retreats for new and experienced collagers to dive in and create.
SoulCollage® is a creative and intuitive process that combines imagery, self-expression, and self-discovery. Through the art of collage, individuals select and arrange images that resonate with different aspects of their inner world, creating unique cards that reflect their emotions, experiences, and aspirations. These personal cards then serve as mirrors to explore one's psyche, gain insights, and foster a deeper understanding of oneself, making SoulCollage® a powerful tool for inner reflection and growth.
Join Our Community: Become a Member at ALTAR
At the heart of the ALTAR community is a powerful network of women committed to empowerment, where sistering, mentorship, and storytelling come together to inspire and elevate every woman’s journey. Through membership and collaboration opportunities, women can engage more deeply, expand their networks, and co-create within a supportive community.
Our Clubhouse Membership lets you tailor your unique journey and preferred ways of engaging with our space. Embark on your path of self-discovery and belonging with us.
Our Space
Where Inspiration Meets Purpose
ALTAR Community's bright and airy event space is located in Logan Square. Its 4,000-square-foot layout is bathed in natural light, accentuated by beautiful architectural elements and thoughtfully curated decor. Inspirational artwork graces the walls, while a variety of comfortable seating options invite both quiet reflection and engaging group discussions.
Every detail of ALTAR's space is crafted to nurture well-being and create an environment where both individuals and groups can thrive. This intentional design supports productive and transformative experiences. Consider ALTAR as your next offsite location where the space itself supports your event's purpose. Its unique character and mindful design differentiate it from typical event spaces, offering a refreshing environment for leadership retreats, corporate offsites, and milestone celebrations.
Meet our Core Practitioners
We're so proud of the teachers and healers who make up the ALTAR Community. We can't wait for you to meet them.
