About Us

New Way Prevention is a nonprofit dedicated to empowering teens and adolescence through education and life-skills training, providing them with the tools to prevent substance abuse and create brighter futures. Our organization is committed to making a real-world impact, planting the seeds that inspire resilience and self-confidence.

Our Team

Teressa "Terry" Williams

M.M., LADC-I

Founder - Executive Director - President

Teressa “Terry” Williams is the Founder, Executive Director, and President of New Way Prevention, based in Springfield, Massachusetts. She established the organization to give young people and families access to substance use prevention education, gambling awareness, and practical tools that support healthy choices. Terry is a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor who holds a master’s degree in Management from Cambridge College and a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Westfield State University. Her professional background spans substance use counseling, mental health outreach, family advocacy, corrections, and community support. She is also co-owner of Serenity Path Counseling & Consulting, where she counsels individuals struggling with substance use and supports families affected by it. Through her work, Terry has seen how substance use affects individuals, families, and communities. Those experiences inspired her to reach young people early—with honest conversations, reliable information, and support that helps them recognize risks and make informed decisions. At New Way Prevention, Terry leads program development, community outreach, and partnerships with schools and local organizations. She is committed to creating a welcoming space where youth and families can ask questions, strengthen coping skills, and build healthier futures.

Kimberly Pedigo

PA-C

Vice President

Kimberly Pedigo serves as Vice President of New Way Prevention. A certified Physician Assistant and graduate of Albany Medical College, she brings extensive experience in adult psychiatry, addiction medicine, and correctional healthcare. Her career includes caring for individuals on the psychiatric unit at Baystate Health, treating patients with opioid use disorder at Acadia Healthcare’s Comprehensive Treatment Center, and addressing medical and behavioral health needs through the Hampshire County Sheriff’s Department. These experiences have strengthened her commitment to compassionate care, prevention, and early intervention. A mother of four teenagers and a cancer survivor, Kimberly brings resilience, compassion, and a parent’s perspective to her work. She also supports underserved communities by connecting individuals with resources and organizing donations for people experiencing homelessness and residents of supportive living settings. As Vice President, Kimberly is committed to advancing New Way Prevention’s efforts to help young people and families access accurate information, recognize risks, and build the skills and confidence to make healthy choices.

Leslie Harmon

M.A., LADC-I

Treasurer - Board Member

Leslie Harmon serves as Treasurer and Board Member of New Way Prevention. A Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor with a master’s degree in Community Psychology, she brings decades of experience in substance use treatment, mental health services, case management, and community programming. Her background includes developing and facilitating an Intensive Outpatient Treatment Program at Yale School of Medicine’s Substance Abuse Treatment Unit and coordinating services for individuals experiencing co-occurring disorders and homelessness through the Middlesex MISA Project at Rushford Center. She also provided outpatient substance use counseling, facilitated school-based D.A.R.E. programs, and conducted court-ordered assessments in Tioga County, New York. Following seven years at Springfield’s Comprehensive Treatment Program, Leslie co-founded Serenity Path Counseling & Consulting, where she counsels individuals struggling with substance use and supports families affected by it. At New Way Prevention, Leslie combines her clinical experience with a commitment to early education and community support. As Treasurer, she helps oversee responsible financial planning and resource allocation to advance youth substance use prevention, gambling awareness, and family education.

Marianntony Dones Batista

Secretary - Board Member

Marianntony Dones Batista serves as Secretary of New Way Prevention, bringing experience in mental health outreach, education, healthcare, and human services. Originally from Río Piedras, Puerto Rico, she has called Holyoke, Massachusetts, home since 2000. A graduate of Holyoke High School, Marianntony earned her Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) certification through Holyoke Community College. Her professional background includes behavioral support, intake coordination, and health and nutrition coordination. She has also worked directly with children with autism, strengthening her ability to communicate with care and respond to each individual’s needs. Bilingual in Spanish and English, Marianntony brings strong organizational, communication, and service coordination skills to the board. Her Puerto Rican roots, community experience, and perspective as a mother guide her commitment to helping individuals and families feel understood and supported. As Secretary, Marianntony supports clear communication, organized records, and coordination of board activities. She is proud to contribute to New Way Prevention’s work in youth substance use prevention, gambling awareness, and community education.

Lizzette Matos

M.Ed.

Board Member at Large

Lizzette Matos serves as a Board Member at Large for New Way Prevention. She holds a master’s degree in Education and brings experience in education, community programming, substance use counseling, and clinical supervision. Lizzette is the Clinical Supervisor at Acadia Healthcare’s Springfield Comprehensive Treatment Center, where she supports substance use treatment services. Her professional background includes serving diverse populations in both Puerto Rico and western Massachusetts, giving her insight into the needs of individuals and families across different cultural and community settings. Fluent in English and Spanish, Lizzette is committed to making prevention education accessible to youth, parents, and caregivers. Her background in education and substance use services helps her share practical information with an understanding of the challenges individuals and families face. As a board member, Lizzette supports New Way Prevention’s efforts in youth substance use prevention, gambling awareness, and family education. She is dedicated to helping families strengthen communication, recognize risks, and support healthy choices.