Alene Candles Launches New Americans Welcome Program

New Albany, OH – Alene Candles, the nation’s leading full-service contract and private-label candle and home fragrance manufacturer, officially launched its New Americans Welcome Program at a kit-assembly event on Tuesday, September 26, at its facility in New Albany.

Alene is partnering with three Columbus-area nonprofits, Creating Central Ohio Futures (CCOHF), Community Refugee & Immigrant Services (CRIS-OH) and Ethiopian Tewahedo Social Services (ETSS), to provide welcome kits to their clients. Included in the kits are several practical and personal care items, an Ohio-themed children’s activity book, and an Alene-made candle, all in a durable backpack for the families to use.

“Central Ohio’s new Americans are a vital part of the region’s tremendous success story,” said Rod Harl, president and CEO of Alene Candles. “These welcome kits are a small gesture that send a big message to the immigrants and refugees in Greater Columbus — Ohio welcomes you, Alene welcomes you, and we appreciate the contributions you make to our workforce and community.”

Alene Candles piloted the program over the summer with 240 kits, all assembled by Alene volunteers. Another 120 kits were packed and distributed on Tuesday, with 270 more to follow in the coming months. 

“The majority of the families we serve came to the U.S. with so little — gifts like these certainly bring a smile to weary faces and make a space feel a bit more like home,” said Laura Fitzpatrick, communications coordinator for CRIS-OH.

“The Education, Employment and Empowerment Department at ETSS is so grateful for this partnership and for the support of Alene Candles to provide welcome kits for new Americans who are working hard to increase their English skills and start their careers in the United States,” said Elena Nussbaum, education, employment, and empowerment manager at ETSS.

According to 2021 data, new Americans accounted for nearly 30% of Columbus’ population growth between 2014 and 2019. That same report also showed that immigrants made up more than 10% of the area’s total workforce, contributing significantly to the health of manufacturing jobs in the region. 



“At Creating Central Ohio Futures, we strive to give everyone the opportunity to enter the middle class. Tackling this feat truly takes a village, and Alene Candles has been a key member of that village. From providing excellent wages and benefits, to being a steadfast employer partner, to now providing these kits, Alene has truly demonstrated their commitment to the community,” said Bailey Sandin, program manager at CCOHF. “These bags will be used by our cohort participants to offset hygiene costs and make their homes a more welcoming place with a beautifully scented candle.”