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 candle@candlerockland.org


Staff


Laurel Salmon (she/her)

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 (She/her)

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 (She/her)

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 (She/her)

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


Laura Brown (She/they)

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


Jacqueline Sellin (She/her)

JAcqueline Sellin
direcTor of Prevention Services

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 15 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


Lois Ross (She/her)

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


Katie Farrelly (She/her)

KATIE FARRELLY
PrEVENTION Coordinator

Katie joined the CANDLE team as a Prevention Educator in 2022. She grew up in the Clarkstown Central School District, attending New City Elementary, Felix Festa Middle School, and Clarkstown High School North. She participated in a CANDLE program in elementary school.

Katie graduated from the University of Connecticut with a BA in Urban and Community Studies. Prior to joining CANDLE, she worked as a Sentencing Advocate.

kfarrelly@candlerockland.org (845) 634-6677 ext. 121


Lori DiMartino

Lori DiMartino (She/her)

LORI DIMARTINO
PREVENTION EDUCATOR

Lori DiMartino joined the CANDLE Team in 2021 as a Prevention Educator. She presents prevention education programs in elementary schools and middle school.

Lori was an educator in the East Ramapo Central School District for 31 years. Her students always enjoyed the CANDLE lessons. She has a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and a Master’s Degree in Reading.

ldimartino@candlerockland.org - (845) 634-6677 ext. 116


Aelis Rivera (She/her)

AELIS RIVERA
YOUTH PRIDE SPECIALIST

Aelis Rivera joined CANDLE in 2021 as the Youth Pride Specialist. Aelis is passionate about working with LGBTQ+ youth and promoting advocacy and awareness to both schools and organizations. Aelis provides support and educational programming for LGBTQ+ and allied youth and young adults with empathy, respect, and care.

Aelis has a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from Purchase College and continues to use her studies when working with youth. Prior to joining CANDLE, Aelis was the Youth Mentoring Coordinator at the Center for Safety and Change where she worked with an array of young adults and adolescents. Aelis is dedicated to bringing awareness and education to youth about social norms, personal safety, prevention of substance abuse and so much more!

arivera@candlerockland.org - (845) 634-6677 ext. 115


Katie Farrelly (She/her)

SARA WEXLER
prevention educator

Sara joined the CANDLE team as a Prevention Educator in 2023.

swexler@candlerockland.org (845) 634-6677 ext. 119


Nykia Reyes (They/She)

NYKIA REYES
YOUTHPRIDE COORDINATOR

Nykia joined the CANDLE team as the Youth Educator in 2022. She provides counseling and support to teens throughout Rockland County. They promote empowerment and advocacy amongst LGBTQ+ through events, peer groups, in school visits and training to professionals.

Nykia has a Bachelor’s degree in Popular Music Analysis and Black Studies from the City College of New York. There she was the Treasurer of the Black Student Union and graduated with the highest GPA in their program earning them the William Hallett Green Award.

nreyes@candlerockland.org - (845) 634-6677 ext. 122


Board of Directors

Scott Eidman, President

Ellen Woods, Treasurer

Richard Tjoa, Secretary

Gregg Coffey

Sheriffa Gallwey

Jeffrey Heaphy

Sheeba Mathai

Susan Penfield

Barbara Tabala