Community Awareness Network for A Drug-free Life and Environment, Inc. (CANDLE) was founded as a non-profit organization in 1982. Its mission is to prevent substance abuse and violence among youth. CANDLE's goal is to improve the health and climate of our schools and our communities by providing prevention education and resistance strategies to youth and their adult allies, and support programs for young people at risk. Contact us at 845-634-6677 or via email at candle@candlerockland.org

Staff

Laurel Salmon, LMFT, EMDR
CHIEF Executive OFFICEr

Laurel Salmon became the executive director of CANDLE in September of 2021. She is a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and has dedicated her career to community mental health, victim advocacy and case management for youth, adults and families. She is committed to helping to create better support throughout the community for youth and their families. She has a strong background in socially just mental health treatment, domestic violence, as well as training and education. Her primary area of focus in her career has been integrating strategies for understanding oppression dynamics into clinical work and clinical supervision. She is especially interested in the various ways that racism, sexism, hetero-sexism and religious oppression impact therapeutic work.

Laurel is a current board member and committee chair for the American Family Therapy Academy and the recipient of AFTA’s Early Career Award in 2018. She is committed to expanding the presence of Marriage and Family therapists in New York State and exploring how systemic thinking can improve support services. She received her BS in Psychology and her MS in Marriage and Family Therapy from Mercy College where she is a former adjunct professor. She is the former Sr Director of Therapeutic and Support Services at Center for Safety & Change, Program Director of the Courtland Avenue clinic as well as a counselor and instructor in the Domestic violence program for men at VCS.

 lsalmon@candlerockland.org - (845) 634-6677 ext. 113

Marta Halifi
DIRECTOR OF Finance

Marta Halifi joined the CANDLE team as Finance Coordinator in 2010 after working four years on a consulting basis. Marta oversees all aspects of grant management, maintains the financial books of the agency, monitors compliance with regulatory agencies, oversees the audit review and prepares the annual budget for CANDLE.

She has a Master’s in Business Administration-Accounting from Fairleigh Dickinson University and a Bachelor’s in Economics from Hunter College. Marta’s children participated in CANDLE Programs while in elementary school.

mhalifi@candlerockland.org - (845) 634-6677 ext. 112

Laurie Puca
director of Operations

Laurie Puca joined the CANDLE team as Office Manager in 2015.  Laurie ensures the CANDLE office runs smoothly by organizing and coordinating all administrative tasks and office procedures for all staff, consultants, and volunteers.  She provides general administrative support for all staff, the Finance Coordinator, the Executive Director and the Board of Directors.

Laurie has a Bachelor’s in Elementary Education and 17 years’ experience as a Human Resources professional in the corporate sector.  Laurie also has 18 years as a service volunteer in Rockland County.  She is the parent of two children that participated in CANDLE’s prevention education programs while in elementary school.  Her family also participated in CANDLE’s Strengthening Families Program.

lpuca@candlerockland.org - (845) 634-6677 ext. 110

MATILDA VANDERPUIJE
COMPLIANCE OFFICER

Matilda joined the CANDLE team in April of 2022. She formally supported SAMSHA’s family-based grant project as a marriage and family therapist at Acacia Network’s Lorraine Montenegro Women and Children’s Residence. She focused on rehabilitative interventions for pregnant and postpartum women with primary diagnosis of substance use and misuse and co-occurring disorders to promote healthy pregnancies that minimize postpartum depression and neonatal abstinence syndrome. At CANDLE, she will support its expansion of Article 31 clinic to provide services to children and adolescents who have experienced trauma and who identify as part of the LGBTQI+ community, or who have been impacted by substance abuse and misuse, and support for their families.

Matilda has a Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy from Mercy College and a Bachelor’s in Computer and Information Systems from New York University. She is a volunteer therapist at Center for Safety & Change, providing therapy to families impacted by Domestic Violence and are traumatized by the experience.

mvanderpuije@candlerockland.org - (845) 634-6677 ext. 124

JAcqueline Sellin
Prevention program direcTor

Jacqueline Sellin joined the CANDLE team in 2019 as a Prevention Educator. She coordinates prevention education programs in elementary, middle, and high schools in both English and Spanish and co-facilitates social emotional learning groups throughout Rockland County.

Jacqueline brings with her 19 years of experience as an educator from the preschool to college level. She holds a Master's degree in Spanish Language and Culture from La Universidad de Salamanca in Salamanca, Spain, and a Bachelor's degree in Spanish Literature from Montclair State University. Jacqueline is passionate about empowering children and creating a world that is safer for all youth.

jsellin@candlerockland.org - (845) 634-6677 ext. 114

Prevention TEAM

Laura BROWN-RIVERA

DIRECTOR OF YOUTH PRIDE

Laura joined the CANDLE team as a Prevention Specialist in 2019. Laura is an activist, educator, and licensed therapist (LMSW). With a fierce love of community and a commitment to social equity, Laura brings an intersectional identity and a radical, womynist, restorative justice lens to her therapeutic practice. They are passionate about working with young kids, teens, and young adults; people of color (particularly those navigating predominantly white institutions); and folx who are struggling with identity and self-esteem.

Laura earned her Master’s degree in Child Development from Sarah Lawrence, and a Master’s degree in Social Work from New York University. They have significant education & experience in the field of Child Development, with a clinical focus on Cultural Identity Development, Self-Efficacy, and those significantly impacted by Adverse Childhood Experiences. Laura has over a decade of experience with psychotherapy, mentoring/clinical supervision of graduate students, education & training, and I/O and DID consulting.

lbrivera@candlerockland.org (845) 634-6677 ext. 120

youthpride team

genevieve alexis
clinic services coordinator

Genevieve joined the CANDLE team as the Coordinator of Clinical Services in 2023. A Licensed Master of Social Work, Genevieve is a proud native of Rockland County and an alumna of the East Ramapo Central School District. With a commitment to amplifying the voices within marginalized communities, she strives to validate diverse experiences.



Genevieve holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminology from SUNY Cortland,  a Master of Public Administration in Criminal Justice from Saint Thomas Aquinas College, and a Master of Science in Social Work from NYU. Passionate about team building, she actively advocates for collaborative efforts to create positive change in our world.

galexis@candlerockland.org - (845) 634-6677 ext. 125

CHILDREN’S CLINIC TEAM

Lois Ross
CANDLE CENTER COORDINATOR

Lois Ross is a Licensed Master Social Worker who joined the CANDLE team in 2005.  Lois provides, assessment, referrals and short term counseling services to school age children at The CANDLE Center of Orangetown. She received her Master’s degree from Fordham University.

Lois specializes in prevention counseling addressing interpersonal and family issues, bullying, alcohol/substance abuse, eating disorders, self-hurt and sexual promiscuity.  Lois’s children participated in CANDLE programs while in elementary and high school.

lross@candlerockland.org - (845) 680-1683

TINA GIORDANO
CANDLE CENTER COORDINATOR

Tina Giordano (She/Her) joined the CANDLE team in 2023. Beginning with CANDLE as an MSW intern, she transitioned into the role of CANDLE Center Coordinator in 2023. With nine years of experience serving communities and individuals, Tina’s passions for whole health wellness, social justice, education, and research motivates her to be an agent of change, collaborator, and facilitator of learning to elevate community health equity and inclusive safe spaces. 

Tina has a Bachelor’s degree in Behavioral Science from Mercy University with an CASAC-T (Credentialed Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor) certification. She is currently enrolled in Widener University’s dual MSW/M.Ed in Human Sexuality program where she sits on the National Social Work and Gamma Eta Rho Human Sexuality Honors Societies. Tina’s clinical expertise in Sexology and Social Work allows her to meet individuals where they are to hold space in raising voices of those she serves. 

tgiorando@candlerockland.org - (845) 634-6677 ext. 117

Board of Directors

Scott Eidman, President

Ellen Woods, Treasurer

Richard Tjoa, Secretary

Gregg Coffey

Jeffrey Heaphy

Susan Penfield

Barbara Tabala