LI'ers With Disabilities Learn Job Skills From New Candle-Selling Nonprofit

HAUPPAUGE, NY — Shine the Light, a new nonprofit, launched on Friday.

The candle company began filling orders from across the country, with some help from people with developmental disabilities enrolled in a job training program.

It was launch day for a new non-profit candle company with a mission today, as “Shine the Light” candle company began filling orders from across the country, with some help from people with developmental disabilities enrolled in a job training program.

Kristine Fitzpatrick, founder of Shine the Light, partnered with AHRC Suffolk, which provides programs and services to children and adults with intellectual and other developmental disabilities on Long Island, to pour, package, label and ship hundreds of the homemade candles in a variety of original scents, including "Appley Ever After," "Sharp Dressed Man," "Banana Bread," and "Beach Linen."

"Shine the Light's mission is to illuminate the path to inclusive employment opportunities for individuals with developmental disabilities, while crafting exquisite candles that brighten lives and inspire social change," the nonprofit's website reads.

The profits from the sale of the candles will support The League of YES, which runs baseball programs for people (of all ages) with disabilities in Nassau and Suffolk County. Fitzpatrick is also CEO of The League of YES.

League of YES is currently fundraising for the construction of a disabled-accessible baseball field in Brookhaven, to allow children with walkers, in wheelchairs and wearing leg braces to hit the ball and round the bases just like any other kid.

Candles can be purchased here.

The event was held at Gotham Event Space in Hauppauge.