Light a Candle. Change a Life.
Handcrafted by adults with purpose
6 oz. Tin
10 oz. Ceramic
The numbers behind every candle.
80%
of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities are unemployed.
100%
of WeCandle artisans earn above minimum wage from day one. Including training
$17.85/hr
our starting wage, paid from the first hour of training.
100%
of proceeds go directly back into expanding employment.
Your questions, answered.
Everything you need to know about our mission, our candles, and the people behind the work.
About our mission
Who makes your candles?
Every candle in our shop is hand-poured, finished, and packaged by our team of artisans in our Ajax, Ontario studio. WeCandle exists to create real, paying jobs for adults facing barriers to employment, including intellectual and developmental disabilities. We don't hire people to make candles, we make candles so we can hire more people. People who are capable but sometimes overlooked in the traditional workplace.
Your artisans are paid fairly. What does this mean?
All of our artisans are paid above minimum wage, from day one, including paid training. These are real jobs with real paycheques, not volunteer roles or unpaid placements. When someone joins our team, they're an employee, full stop.
What happens to the proceeds from each candle?
WeCandle is a registered non-profit. There are no profits to take out. Every dollar of proceeds goes directly back into the business, including artisan wages, materials, shipping, marketing, and the tools needed to keep growing. Everything is meant to go back into expanding more employment opportunities for our current artisans and hiring more people over time.
Is WeCandle really a non-profit?
Yes. WeCandle is officially registered as a non-profit organization in Canada. Unlike businesses that donate a percentage to charity, our entire operation is the mission. The candles aren't a side hustle for a cause, the candles are how we create the jobs.
Who actually made my candle?
Every candle ships with a hand-designed coaster card identifying the artisan who helped create it. Scan the QR code on the back to visit their personal page, watch their video, and leave them a comment. We read every comment out loud at the start of the morning shift in our studio, it's one of the most meaningful parts of our day.
Do you accept donations?
Yes. 100% of every donation goes directly toward paying the wages of our artisans. None of it is used for overhead or administrative costs. If you'd like to support our work beyond purchasing a candle, you can donate here.
About our candles
What type of wax do you use? Do your candles contain paraffin or phthalates?
We use a premium natural coconut soy wax blend with phthalate-free fragrance oils. No paraffin, no harmful chemicals. Our candles are clean-burning, long-lasting, and hold fragrance beautifully, giving you a smooth, consistent burn that's safe for your home.
How long do your candles burn?
Burn time varies by size, but our candles are designed for a long, even burn when trimmed and cared for properly. You can find specific burn times listed on each product page.
- 10 oz Ceramic Candles — 65+ hours
- 6 oz Tin Candles — 40+ hours
Are your candles handmade?
Yes. Every candle is hand-poured, finished, and packaged in our Ajax, Ontario studio by our team of artisans. No outsourcing, just meaningful work, real people, and real craftsmanship.
Where are you located?
WeCandle operates out of Ajax, Ontario, Canada. All of our candles are poured and packaged in our local studio.
Do you offer custom or corporate gifting?
Yes, we work with businesses and organizations on custom projects, including branded candles for corporate gifting and events. Every order directly supports paid employment for our artisans, making it gifting that actually means something. Visit our corporate gifting page for more information.
Handcrafted in small batches
Paraffin-free coconut soy wax
Phthalate-free fragrance oils
Long-lasting burn time
Locally made in Ontario, Canada
Social enterprise supporting inclusive employment
