People & partners

The team, the organizations we work with, and the twelve community sectors that hold a seat at the coalition table. If you have questions or want to get involved as a coalition member, or partner organization, please contact us directly at candle@aticortland.org.

Last reviewed 24 Oct 2026

Who we are

The Cortland County Coalition on Cannabis & Alcohol – Neighbors with Disability & Lived Experience (CANDLE) is a group of community members dedicated to reducing substance misuse within Cortland County’s disability community. Most of our coalition members have lived experience with disabilities and/or substance misuse and public health.

What peer-led means here

Our staff and coalition members represent a wide variety of disabilities and lived experience with substance use. Anyone with or without a disability who is interested in supporting the mission can join CANDLE as a member or partner.

Our goals

  • Reduce underage cannabis use among youth with disabilities
  • Reduce underage drinking among youth with disabilities
  • Reduce binge drinking among adults with disabilities
Five members of the CANDLE team smiling at the camera from behind a table displaying Access To Independence and CANDLE materials.
The CANDLE team at the DSS Resource Fair, March 2024.

Coalition Staff

Ally McCabe, smiling, in a dark blazer against a plain grey backdrop.

Ally McCabe

Project Director

Payton Corl

Payton Corl

Project Assistant

Stefania Buta, smiling, in a green cardigan in front of an Access To Independence backdrop.

Stefania Buta

Data Coordinator

Coalition Members & Partners

Support local! Meet CANDLE's community partners. The businesses below help bolster our prevention efforts by supporting CANDLE's community surveys, public education efforts, outreach events, media campaigns and more.

Fiscal sponsor

Access To Independence of Cortland County

Access To Independence is CANDLE's fiscal sponsor, at 26 N Main Street, Cortland NY 13045.

Small Businesses
Community Organizations
Media Partners

12 Community Sectors

  • CANDLE Coalition
    • People with Disabilities
    • Family Members
    • Religious Organizations
    • Media
    • Disability Organizations
    • Civic Groups
    • Businesses
    • Schools
    • Substance Misuse Organizations
    • Law Enforcement
    • Healthcare
    • Government

CANDLE seats twelve community sectors, from people with disabilities and their family members through to healthcare, law enforcement and local government. Each sector has a seat at the monthly coalition meeting.