About Shine Your Light CT
WHO WE ARE
Shine Your Light CT (SYL) supports and inspires communities to unleash their creativity and build confidence by providing opportunities that promotes self-expression. Our mission is to provide healing experiences to those who are most in need through the transformative power of art, yoga, and diverse forms of expression.
SYL is committed to delivering creative offerings to the populations served by organizations that cannot afford to fund these activities.
Our vision is: A world where, through healing and expression, every individual knows what makes them shine.
WHAT WE DO
SYL conducts a multi-faceted program that provides opportunities for individuals of all ages to freely express themselves through creative experiences, including:
- Painting, drawing, sculpting, crafting, and additional artistic projects
- Mindfulness Moments, including meditative experiences and sound healing
- Yoga and movement; encouraging individuals to find what feels good within themselves
- Creative writing activities
- Exploring music through singing, African Drum Circles, dancing, and additional instruments
- Family or community engagement activities with a focus on building relationships
- Teambuilding and leadership exercises
- Health and Wellness Sessions
OUR TEAM
Meg Bard, Executive Director
Melissa Charter, Vice President
Meg Bard, Executive Director
Meg has a passion for serving individuals and communities throughout the state of Connecticut by providing accessible, creative experiences for underserved populations. Since 2015, she has envisioned Shine Your Light CT as a nonprofit organization and has worked in the nonprofit sector ever since she graduated college in 2012.
What makes y
Meg has a passion for serving individuals and communities throughout the state of Connecticut by providing accessible, creative experiences for underserved populations. Since 2015, she has envisioned Shine Your Light CT as a nonprofit organization and has worked in the nonprofit sector ever since she graduated college in 2012.
What makes your light shine?
My supportive and loving fiancé that balances me. Seeing people happy and doing what they love makes my light shine!
Rajan Doering, President
Melissa Charter, Vice President
Meg Bard, Executive Director
Rajan is a lifelong resident of Wallingford. He is a member of the Wallingford Board of Education and is the Co-Director of the GLOW Food Pantry, a ministry of Wallingford Church of the Nazarene. He also sits on the Board of Directors of the United Way of Meriden-Wallingford and the Wallingford Family YMCA. He is a student at Quinnipiac U
Rajan is a lifelong resident of Wallingford. He is a member of the Wallingford Board of Education and is the Co-Director of the GLOW Food Pantry, a ministry of Wallingford Church of the Nazarene. He also sits on the Board of Directors of the United Way of Meriden-Wallingford and the Wallingford Family YMCA. He is a student at Quinnipiac University School of Law.
What makes your light shine?
Helping guide growth in the GLOW Food Pantry and watching students of the Wallingford Public Schools succeed.
Melissa Charter, Vice President
Melissa Charter, Vice President
Melissa Charter, Vice President
Melissa Charter is currently a Mathematics teacher and Licensed Esthetician. She recently took part in a year-long study of the Universal Design for Learning. While doing so, she developed and implemented a full-on UDL exemplar math program for her students and district.
What Makes Your Light Shine?
My family, church, friends, being cr
Melissa Charter is currently a Mathematics teacher and Licensed Esthetician. She recently took part in a year-long study of the Universal Design for Learning. While doing so, she developed and implemented a full-on UDL exemplar math program for her students and district.
What Makes Your Light Shine?
My family, church, friends, being creatively active, and surrounding myself with happy people makes my light shine. I truly enjoy helping others feel good about themselves through teaching them how to take care of their skin. My self expression is seen through skincare, clothing, photography, staying active, journaling, music, and reading.
Jenn Henry, Secretary
Melissa Charter, Vice President
Melissa Charter, Vice President
Jenn currently works as a Realtor for William Raveis Real Estate and as a Licensed Hairdresser for her side hustle! Her greatest joy is helping others, which has translated into her two careers: helping people find their dream homes, or making them feel beautiful, and sometimes both!
What Makes Your Light Shine?
Making others happy, in
Jenn currently works as a Realtor for William Raveis Real Estate and as a Licensed Hairdresser for her side hustle! Her greatest joy is helping others, which has translated into her two careers: helping people find their dream homes, or making them feel beautiful, and sometimes both!
What Makes Your Light Shine?
Making others happy, in any way possible, makes my light shine, especially when it comes to family and friends! Becoming a mom to my son Marshall has also brought a joy to my heart that I never knew possible.
Kevin Lyons, Treasurer
Tarn Granucci, Board Member
Katie Butler, Board Member
Kevin is a Senior Accountant at Ulbrich Stainless Steels & Special Metals and he has worked there for over a decade. During his time at Ulbrich, he began getting involved with the Ulbrich Boys & Girls Club, which ignited his passion to serve communities, and he sat on their Board for several years. Kevin brings many years of non-profit an
Kevin is a Senior Accountant at Ulbrich Stainless Steels & Special Metals and he has worked there for over a decade. During his time at Ulbrich, he began getting involved with the Ulbrich Boys & Girls Club, which ignited his passion to serve communities, and he sat on their Board for several years. Kevin brings many years of non-profit and accounting experience on our team, and he finds great joy in helping people reach their fullest potential.
Katie Butler, Board Member
Tarn Granucci, Board Member
Katie Butler, Board Member
Katie, CTRS, M.E.d in Recreation therapy: Katie has worked at Gaylord for almost 7 years and is an adjunct faculty at SCSU. Katie specializes in spinal cord injuries and is a Chair One Fitness Instructor, and a Level 2 Reiki Practitioner. Her favorite pastime is running and she has run 10 half marathons. Katie is a former “band geek”, hav
Katie, CTRS, M.E.d in Recreation therapy: Katie has worked at Gaylord for almost 7 years and is an adjunct faculty at SCSU. Katie specializes in spinal cord injuries and is a Chair One Fitness Instructor, and a Level 2 Reiki Practitioner. Her favorite pastime is running and she has run 10 half marathons. Katie is a former “band geek”, having played the flute since the 5th grade. When she is not running, she is home with her husband, and four fur-babies all named after Marvel characters - Stark, Pepper, Loki and Gamora.
What makes your light shine?
I am a huge family person - they mean the world to me and make everyday worth living. I rely on them each day and they support me in all my endeavors!
Tarn Granucci, Board Member
Tarn Granucci, Board Member
Maria Librio Judge, CPA | Board Member
Tarn has had many successful businesses, served on many boards, been a very successful fundraiser, and is the author of an Arcadia Publishing book, Legendary Locals of Wallingford, 140 stories of people of his hometown, living and passed. He was the first Poet Laureate of Wallingford in 2015. He has a degree in Transpersonal Psychology fr
Tarn has had many successful businesses, served on many boards, been a very successful fundraiser, and is the author of an Arcadia Publishing book, Legendary Locals of Wallingford, 140 stories of people of his hometown, living and passed. He was the first Poet Laureate of Wallingford in 2015. He has a degree in Transpersonal Psychology from Burlington College in Vermont. Since 2016, Tarn has held the position of Editor of Wallingford Magazine and his motto is, “I bring Wallingford to Wallingford.” Recently, Tarn also became a Trustee on the Board of Trustees of Rowe Camp and Conference Center in Rowe, Massachusetts.
Maria Librio Judge, CPA | Board Member
Maria Librio Judge, CPA | Board Member
Maria Librio Judge, CPA | Board Member
Maria is the CEO and Vice President of Rose Hill Memorial Park, a not for profit cemetery in Rocky Hill. She has been a CPA for 30 years and has a tax practice located in Newington. Maria is the co-founder and past president of The West Hartford Community Theater. But, her most satisfying accomplishment is being Mom to William and Ca
Maria is the CEO and Vice President of Rose Hill Memorial Park, a not for profit cemetery in Rocky Hill. She has been a CPA for 30 years and has a tax practice located in Newington. Maria is the co-founder and past president of The West Hartford Community Theater. But, her most satisfying accomplishment is being Mom to William and Caraline.
What makes your light shine?
My heart is full when I help children's lights shine brightly.
Carlton Smith, LMSW, MBA| Board Member
Maria Librio Judge, CPA | Board Member
Carlton Smith, LMSW, MBA| Board Member
Carlton Smith is the current Director of Residential Programs at Way Finders in Springfield, MA. Carlton leads a team of managers and frontline staff that provide case management and support services for families experiencing housing instability.
What makes your light shine?
My passion is working with and mentoring men. Over 20 years I ha
Carlton Smith is the current Director of Residential Programs at Way Finders in Springfield, MA. Carlton leads a team of managers and frontline staff that provide case management and support services for families experiencing housing instability.
What makes your light shine?
My passion is working with and mentoring men. Over 20 years I have served as a volunteer and member of the Salvation Army Hartford North End Corps (Hartford, CT) where I facilitate a weekly men's ministry program which focuses on health fitness, and self-improvement.
PROGRAM FACILITATORS
Meg Bard
Lance Kamau James
Lance Kamau James
200-Hour Yoga Certification
Trauma Informed Yoga
Art Instructor
Leadership & Team Building
Mindfulness
Lance Kamau James
Lance Kamau James
Lance Kamau James
Lance James can be heard beating the drums; tuning out on a piano; composing lyrics and bringing down the house with his flavor of "Smooth Jazz with an Afro/Latin Groove". Kamau pronounced Ka-mah-oo, is Swahili for "Musical Warrior". He creates positive energy wherever his battlefield is staged. Once a business man in the corporate world
Lance James can be heard beating the drums; tuning out on a piano; composing lyrics and bringing down the house with his flavor of "Smooth Jazz with an Afro/Latin Groove". Kamau pronounced Ka-mah-oo, is Swahili for "Musical Warrior". He creates positive energy wherever his battlefield is staged. Once a business man in the corporate world and now a bandleader, performer, composer and manager in the music world, his spirit continues to soar.
Michele Urban
Lance Kamau James
Kelvin Young, RSS
Michele Urban is a singer, songwriter and performer in the kindie-rock (family) genre, who entertains, educates, and celebrates kids one song at a time! Michele’s whimsical lyrics and creative original tunes on her album, “Today’s A Special Day” (released 2023) explore themes of kindness, friendship, inclusion and acceptance. Michele’s im
Michele Urban is a singer, songwriter and performer in the kindie-rock (family) genre, who entertains, educates, and celebrates kids one song at a time! Michele’s whimsical lyrics and creative original tunes on her album, “Today’s A Special Day” (released 2023) explore themes of kindness, friendship, inclusion and acceptance. Michele’s improvisational music style creates fun moments where kids discover just how special they are! She engages both adults and children in singing along, dancing, playing rhythm instruments and community bonding.
Michele Urban has been an early childhood music and movement educator for 20 years. She actively performs throughout Connecticut for schools, libraries, local fairs, and children’s events. Michele’s programs bring families together to support literacy, teach life skills and inspire creativity in a fun and exciting way.
What Makes Your Light Shine?
Music has always been as natural to me as breathing. Like light to a firefly, music is the part of me that I express to the world. It evokes emotion, it lowers stress, helps with learning and strengthens family bonds. Especially for children, music is a way of connecting. I believe that music is a gift from God, and He wants us to use music to shine light into the world and connect with others. I encourage families to express and experience music with their children, because it brings us all together and helps us feel a part of something bigger. In other words, I let my light shine, by celebrating children, one song at at time.
Kelvin Young, RSS
Lance Kamau James
Kelvin Young, RSS
Kelvin Young is a certified sound healer and recovery support specialist. He is also a person in sustained recovery which means he hasn't used alcohol or any other drug to cope with his mental and emotional distress since March, 6th 2009. Kelvin received his recovery coaching training at CT Community for Addiction Recovery (CCAR) and h
Kelvin Young is a certified sound healer and recovery support specialist. He is also a person in sustained recovery which means he hasn't used alcohol or any other drug to cope with his mental and emotional distress since March, 6th 2009. Kelvin received his recovery coaching training at CT Community for Addiction Recovery (CCAR) and his Recovery Support Specialist (RSS) certification at Recovery University in 2011. He is also trained in Intentional Peer Support (IPS) and Emotional CPR. (eCPR) The first time Kelvin was exposed to sound healing, he discovered the sounds of the crystal and Tibetan singing bowls and gongs calmed his mind, relaxed his body and nourished his soul. He went on to study sound healing with Master Sound Healers, Zacciah Blackburn of The Center of Light, Paul Hubbert of the Holographic Sound and Inner Balance and Satya Brat Jaiswal of the International Academy of Sound Healing.