The community partners of our Local Prevention Council are here for you. Whether you are looking for mentorship, new skills, or something positive to do - don’t hesitate to reach out!
MISSION
Engage community partners through collaboration while leveraging resources that educate and empower youth to be responsible by living a positive and substance-free life.
VISION
A healthy and thriving community, free of substance misuse.
DRUG-FREE COMMUNITIES
The Drug-Free Communities (DFC) Support Program is the nation’s leading effort to mobilize communities to prevent and reduce substance use among youth. Created in 1997 by the Drug-Free Communities Act, the DFC program provides grants to community coalitions with the goal of establishing and strengthening collaboration among local partners to reduce substance use among youth.
The Drug Free Community sectors are strategic alliances within the community that have proven to be successful when collaborating with one another in an effort to create a safe, healthy, and drug-free community for youth. On this page you can see all of our Local Prevention Council partners and the ways they come together from different sectors to be partners in youth prevention!
Local Prevention Leaders
Omar is currently the Youth Advocate for the City of New Britain and also serves as the Head Freshmen Football Coach at New Britain High School, a position he has held for 21 years and counting. He started working with New Britain kids as a camp counselor for the New Britain Parks and Recreation Department in 1989 and held several positions there including: After School Supervisor, Recreation Specialist and Assistant Supervisor. After graduating from Central Connecticut State University, where he played varsity football for 4 years, he got a job as a juvenile caseworker at the New Britain Juvenile Justice Center where he was charged with working with medium and high level juvenile offenders. He became New Britain’s Youth Advocate in 2007. Omar started the Youth Leadership Council in 2019 with the idea of teaching New Britain kids leadership skills and giving them experiences that will propel them into leadership positions later in life. A 1985 graduate of EC Goodwin Tech, Omar continues to reside in New Britain.
Anaida Ruiz-Leon is the Prevention Coordinator for the Local Prevention Council. She began working for the City of New Britain Recreations and Community Services office in July of 2024. Anaida comes from a rich background of Education through media. In her previous role she was the Senior Education Coordinator for the local PBS Station in Tampa, Florida - where she spearheaded bilingual outreach through curriculum writing, grant writing, bilingual events and trainings for parents, teachers, families, and children. Anaida acquired her Bachelor's degree in English Literature from the University of South Florida and minored in Psychology. As a Prevention Coordinator, Anaida aims to educate and encourage our New Britain Community through outreach, community collaboration, and accessible education. Anaida's vision for the Youth Leadership Council is to encourage and promote youth advocacy through media literacy and youth voice empowerment.
Join the Local Prevention Council!
Youth
If you’re in need of online or in-person resources, we've got you covered. For online tools, check out our Resources page. If you’re looking for help in our own community, check out our Support page!
Partners: Youth Leadership Council
Parents
Constant communication with kids about the struggles they’re facing is the best way to help them find positive solutions. Visit our Prevention Portal for tools to help you have open and honest conversations!
Partners: Esther Santana and Sara Piatti
Business
Ken House – New Britain Housing Authority
Leticia Mangual – Human Resources Agency
Francis Estrada – New Britain Museum of American Art
Angel Bleggi – New Britain Museum of American Art
Viktor Sjöberg – New Britain Public Library
Brett Garabedian – New Britain Public Library
Justin Santana – Capital Workforce Partners
School
Geno Ayala – New Britain High School
Lisa Kawecki – CSDNB
Mayra Rodriguez – CSDNB
Melissa Vancour – CSDNB
Ryan Langer – CSDNB
Sondra Sanford – CSDNB
Jason Gibson – CSDNB
Jessica Hernandez – CCSU
Dr. Anthony Gasper – CSDNB
Youth Serving Organizations
Mallory Deprey – NB Community Services
Anaida Ruiz-Leon – Prevention Coordinator
Omar McDew – Youth Services
James Jones – Boys and Girls Club
Joey Listro – ROOTS
Nick Jakabowski – Pathways / Senderos
Heather Mills – Pathways / Senderos
Paulette Fox – OIC of New Britain
Leticia Mangual – HRA
Kelly Murphy – New Britain Recreation
Ashley Wooten – New Britain Recreation
Julie Cyr – YWCA
Lauren – YWCA
Healthcare Professionals
Esther Santana – Hospital of Central CT
Patrick Ciardullo – New Britain EMS
Francine Truglio – Health Department
Lisa Palazzo – Beacon Health Options
Law Enforcement
Chief Matt Marino
Lieutenant Jared Barsaleau
Detective Nick Dresko
Captain Matthew Butkiewicz
BEE Responsible Officers
Religious Organizations
Pastor Jane Rowe – South Church
Pastor Dana Smith – New Life II Ministries
Media
Duane Pierre – Para DYM Academy
Jeniece Roman – New Britain Herald
Sunny Lu Williams – TechServ
Volunteer Organizations
John Prescod – United Way
Maria Sanchez – American Savings Foundation
Leah Fuhs – United Way
Enrique Juncadella – United Way
Government
Brock Weber – Mayor’s Office
Justin Dorsey – Mayor’s Office
Desiree Rivera – Mayor's Office
Alden Russel – Alderman
Other Prevention Groups
Pastor Dana Smith – New Life
Edielynn Cardona – CMHA
LaToya Tyson – Prevention ACT
Kayla Edgeworth – Prudence Crandall
Iva Kosutic – Partners in Social Research
