A peer-led coalition reducing substance misuse in Cortland's disability community.https://candlecoalition.org/en-ushttps://candlecoalition.org/blog/chefs-take-a-stand-against-domestic-violence/https://candlecoalition.org/blog/chefs-take-a-stand-against-domestic-violence/CANDLE joined the YWCA of Cortland County’s 7th Annual Chefs Take a Stand Against Domestic Violence, serving an alcohol-free “Autumn Plum” mocktail.Fri, 16 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMTCommunity Connectionshttps://candlecoalition.org/blog/alcohol-awareness-month/https://candlecoalition.org/blog/alcohol-awareness-month/April is Alcohol Awareness Month.Wed, 01 Apr 2026 00:00:00 GMTResourceshttps://candlecoalition.org/blog/our-kidneys-and-alcohol/https://candlecoalition.org/blog/our-kidneys-and-alcohol/This month, in honor of National Kidney Awareness Month, our goal is to understand how alcohol interacts with our kidneys so we can make informed, intentional choices about our habits.Mon, 02 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMTResourceshttps://candlecoalition.org/blog/brighter-days-ahead/https://candlecoalition.org/blog/brighter-days-ahead/CANDLE recently participated in the Cortland Prevention Resources “Mocktail Magic” event, alongside other community members and groups, and we were honored to take home the win.Wed, 11 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMTCommunity Connectionshttps://candlecoalition.org/blog/mocktail-magic-a-community-night-of-connection-and-zero-proof-fun/https://candlecoalition.org/blog/mocktail-magic-a-community-night-of-connection-and-zero-proof-fun/Mocktail Magic returns this January, and we’re excited to share a preview with our partners at CANDLE.Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 GMTCommunity Connectionshttps://candlecoalition.org/blog/candle-coalition-2025-wrap-up/https://candlecoalition.org/blog/candle-coalition-2025-wrap-up/What a busy year it’s been for the CANDLE Coalition! As we reflect on 2025, we’re proud to share a summary of the coalition’s activities that have strengthened our mission to reduce substance use among people with disabilities in Cortland County.Wed, 26 Nov 2025 00:00:00 GMTResourceshttps://candlecoalition.org/blog/planning-sober-holiday-gatherings/https://candlecoalition.org/blog/planning-sober-holiday-gatherings/Although the holidays are most closely associated with family and friend gatherings, it can also be a difficult time for people who have a history of substance misuse.Mon, 03 Nov 2025 00:00:00 GMTResourceshttps://candlecoalition.org/blog/tips-for-sober-halloween-fun/https://candlecoalition.org/blog/tips-for-sober-halloween-fun/Although Halloween is most often associated with candy, alcohol and recreational drug use also increases during this holiday.Tue, 30 Sep 2025 00:00:00 GMTResourceshttps://candlecoalition.org/blog/impact-of-substance-use-on-likelihood-of-falls-in-older-adults/https://candlecoalition.org/blog/impact-of-substance-use-on-likelihood-of-falls-in-older-adults/September is National Fall Prevention month. The awareness campaign focuses on education about ways to prevent people from falling down, particularly among older adults.Fri, 29 Aug 2025 00:00:00 GMTResourceshttps://candlecoalition.org/blog/cortland-pride-festival-2025/https://candlecoalition.org/blog/cortland-pride-festival-2025/CANDLE was thrilled to join the Cortland LGBTQ Center at their annual Pride Festival on July 19th, 2025.Wed, 30 Jul 2025 00:00:00 GMTResourceshttps://candlecoalition.org/blog/celebrate-cortland-pride-fest-with-candle/https://candlecoalition.org/blog/celebrate-cortland-pride-fest-with-candle/This year will be the third annual Cortland Community Pride Festival! The festival will be on Saturday July 19th, from 10am to 2pm at Courthouse Park in Cortland.Fri, 27 Jun 2025 00:00:00 GMTCommunity Connectionshttps://candlecoalition.org/blog/cortland-county-mental-health-walk-2025/https://candlecoalition.org/blog/cortland-county-mental-health-walk-2025/CANDLE was thrilled to join the Cortland County Mental Health Community Resource Fair and Walk on May 15th, 2025.Sat, 31 May 2025 00:00:00 GMTCommunity Connectionshttps://candlecoalition.org/blog/exploring-substance-misuse-programming-on-global-accessibility-day/https://candlecoalition.org/blog/exploring-substance-misuse-programming-on-global-accessibility-day/Did you know May 15th, 2025, is Global Accessibility Awareness Day?Thu, 01 May 2025 00:00:00 GMTResourceshttps://candlecoalition.org/blog/alcohol-and-stress-awareness-month/https://candlecoalition.org/blog/alcohol-and-stress-awareness-month/Did you know April is alcohol and stress awareness month? Research shows that individuals with disabilities are at a higher risk of experiencing alcohol misuse and related problems than those without disabilities.Wed, 26 Mar 2025 00:00:00 GMTResourceshttps://candlecoalition.org/blog/support-needed-for-candles-2025-community-survey/https://candlecoalition.org/blog/support-needed-for-candles-2025-community-survey/It’s that time again! CANDLE’s community survey is now available for 2025. This ongoing data collection project helps our coalition stay current on local alcohol & cannabis use trends among people with disabilities in our area.Sat, 01 Feb 2025 00:00:00 GMTResourceshttps://candlecoalition.org/blog/join-candle-at-cortland-prevention-resources-mocktail-magic-event/https://candlecoalition.org/blog/join-candle-at-cortland-prevention-resources-mocktail-magic-event/Drinking any amount of alcohol comes with risks. “Dry January” is a health movement that encourages people to not drink alcohol during the first month of the new year.Tue, 07 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMTResourceshttps://candlecoalition.org/blog/substance-use-and-disability-a-public-health-concern/https://candlecoalition.org/blog/substance-use-and-disability-a-public-health-concern/Cortland County community members are aware that substance use is a critical public health issue locally and across the United States.Wed, 27 Nov 2024 00:00:00 GMTResourceshttps://candlecoalition.org/blog/the-spoon-theory-reality-understanding-how-disabilities-increase-the-risk-of-substance-use/https://candlecoalition.org/blog/the-spoon-theory-reality-understanding-how-disabilities-increase-the-risk-of-substance-use/Spoon Theory is a popular idea that uses spoons to represent the amount of physical and mental energy a person has for daily activities.Fri, 01 Nov 2024 00:00:00 GMTResourceshttps://candlecoalition.org/blog/candle-celebrates-national-substance-use-prevention-month/https://candlecoalition.org/blog/candle-celebrates-national-substance-use-prevention-month/National Substance Use Prevention Month is celebrated every October. The goal is to raise awareness about substance misuse and share information about factors that decrease a person’s likelihood of using substances in harmful ways.Tue, 01 Oct 2024 00:00:00 GMTCommunity Connectionshttps://candlecoalition.org/blog/candle-announces-official-website-launch/https://candlecoalition.org/blog/candle-announces-official-website-launch/We are also thrilled to announce the launch of our CANDLE Coalition website to the public!Sun, 01 Sep 2024 00:00:00 GMTResourceshttps://candlecoalition.org/blog/love-where-you-play-stewardship-day-alternative-4-20/https://candlecoalition.org/blog/love-where-you-play-stewardship-day-alternative-4-20/CANDLE’s crew had so much fun volunteering at our local nature center last weekend!Wed, 01 May 2024 00:00:00 GMTResourceshttps://candlecoalition.org/blog/candle-continues-survey-efforts-during-alcohol-awareness-month/https://candlecoalition.org/blog/candle-continues-survey-efforts-during-alcohol-awareness-month/As April marks the beginning of Alcohol Awareness Month, it provides us an opportunity to explore the impacts of alcohol misuse in our communities and society.Mon, 01 Apr 2024 00:00:00 GMTResourceshttps://candlecoalition.org/blog/support-needed-take-candles-2024-community-survey/https://candlecoalition.org/blog/support-needed-take-candles-2024-community-survey/CANDLE is once again conducting a community survey that aims to analyze local usage trends of alcohol & cannabis (marijuana) among individuals with disabilities in Cortland County.Fri, 01 Mar 2024 00:00:00 GMTCommunity Connectionshttps://candlecoalition.org/blog/low-vision-awareness-month-the-prevention-connection/https://candlecoalition.org/blog/low-vision-awareness-month-the-prevention-connection/With over 7 million Americans experiencing permanent vision loss and at least 1 million currently living with blindness, Low Vision Awareness month serves as an opportunity to better understand the risk & protective factors associated with some visual impairments and their effects on daily life.Thu, 01 Feb 2024 00:00:00 GMTResourceshttps://candlecoalition.org/blog/learning-disabilities-awareness-month-making-the-connection-to-substance-use/https://candlecoalition.org/blog/learning-disabilities-awareness-month-making-the-connection-to-substance-use/Some studies have suggested that up to 60% of people in substance use treatment have some type of learning disability or difficulty.Sun, 01 Oct 2023 00:00:00 GMTResourceshttps://candlecoalition.org/blog/candle-launches-first-community-survey/https://candlecoalition.org/blog/candle-launches-first-community-survey/CANDLE was very excited to launch our first community survey during ATI’s ADA Celebration on July 26!Tue, 01 Aug 2023 00:00:00 GMTResourceshttps://candlecoalition.org/blog/ati-candle-participate-in-fentanyl-awareness-day/https://candlecoalition.org/blog/ati-candle-participate-in-fentanyl-awareness-day/On Tuesday, May 9th, local opioid overdose reduction coalition Healing Cortland organized our county’s participation in the second annual National Fentanyl Awareness Day.Thu, 01 Jun 2023 00:00:00 GMTCommunity Connections