Community Network

Westbrook Partners for Prevention is a network of educators, parents, coaches, health professionals, funders, business leaders, law enforcement, students, faith leaders, and other concerned community members working together to support Westbrook youth in making healthy, substance-free choices.

Working together, we align efforts, share resources, and create a community infrastructure that not only supports youth substance use prevention, but also addresses the perceptions, social norms, and environments that can contribute to unhealthy behaviors.

We are proud to have over 30 community partners plus Westbrook High School Students actively engaged in our work.

Youth Leadership Coalition

It can be a challenge to engage youth in prevention activities because it is a tough topic to discuss, that is why the Youth Leadership Coalition (YLC) is critical to peer-to-peer outreach to help prevent substance misuse. Started in 2016, YLC is comprised of Westbrook High School students lead activities throughout the year to help their high school peers, as well as middle school students, make safe, healthy, substance-free choices. 

Staff

Janet Lewin, MPH, PS-C
Program Director
Email: dossevaj@westbrookschools.org

Janet Lewin (pronounced Jeanette) is Westbrook Partners for Prevention’s Program Director. She is a two time alumnus from the University of New England where she obtained both her Bachelor of Science in Medical Biology and Master of Public Health degrees. 

Janet loves implementing creative and innovative ways to engage communities in prevention and harm reduction strategies. She focuses on promoting health equity and amplifying youth voices. Janet really enjoys working in the Westbrook community, where so many people are committed to supporting youth through collaborative efforts to prevent and reduce youth substance use rates. She is also a member of  the Cumberland County District Public Health Council, Maine Public Health Association, Maine Prevention Certification Board, Westbrook-Gorham Rotary Club, and various Maine CDC substance use workgroups.

She lives in New Gloucester with her husband James, their six chickens, and two cats. Janet enjoys cooking, traveling, collecting new household plants, going to concerts, and playing and coaching tennis in her free time. 

Hawa Shir
Program Coordinator
Email: shirh@westbrookschools.org

Hawa Shir is a graduate student at McMaster University currently serving as the Westbrook Partners for Prevention Program Coordinator. Hawa has a passion for community work and has been serving various communities through a public health lens for the past five years.  In 2020, Hawa received the Maine Public Health Association’s Public Health Rising Star Award for her dedicated work.
Hawa has also collaborated with various public health organizations throughout Cumberland County. She has significant experience in tobacco prevention, policy development, community education, and youth engagement.
Hawa is excited to serve the Westbrook community as the WPFP Program Coordinator. She looks forward to collaborating with organizations and fostering strong, collaborative connections in the community. Hawa will strive to uplift voices in the community, provide education and resources, and make WPFP services accessible to all.

OUR PARTNERS