October 23rd - Porchlight Friends and PEARLS

Kelly Peterschmidt is the Founder and Executive Director of Porchlight Friends and the Director
of the PEARLS Program of Colorado, two organizations dedicated to helping older adults remain
healthy, connected, and independent throughout the Pikes Peak region.

Kelly has spent more than 17 years serving older adults in a variety of leadership roles. She and
her husband previously founded, operated, and successfully sold a medical home healthcare
agency, where she gained firsthand experience supporting older adults and their families. She
later worked in hospice care before joining Silver Key, where she developed and launched its
companionship program to address the growing challenges of loneliness and social isolation
among older adults.

Inspired by the increasing need for meaningful social connection, Kelly founded Porchlight
Friends in 2023, a nonprofit organization providing companionship, transportation, and
caregiver respite to older adults and their families across El Paso County.

Kelly also leads the PEARLS Program of Colorado, an evidence-based behavioral health program
developed by the University of Washington that helps older adults experiencing mild
depression, anxiety, loneliness.

Kelly is passionate about developing innovative, community-based solutions that promote
healthy aging, emotional wellness, and meaningful human connection.