East Brunswick, NJ — Wellspring Center for Prevention is proud to announce the appointment of Nuris Rodriguez-Pabon, LCSW, as its new Executive Director. Nuris succeeds Ezra Helfand, who retired in April after 19 years of dedicated leadership and service to the organization and the community.
Nuris brings over two decades of experience in public health, mental health services, and organizational leadership across government, nonprofit, and healthcare sectors. She previously served as the CEO of Hope & Esperanza Community Health Center, a federally qualified health center focused on serving low-income populations. During her tenure, she successfully led the organization through major funding challenges, securing new resources from state and municipal partners and guiding a comprehensive strategic plan update.
Nuris is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in New Jersey and New York and holds a Master’s in Social Work from the Stony Brook School of Social Welfare. Her hands-on leadership style and dedication to social determinants of health, including mental health, housing, food access, and physical well-being, reflect a deep commitment to holistic community care. She continues to see patients part-time, treating individuals with anxiety, depression, and related challenges.
Her career spans roles in both direct clinical practice and executive leadership, allowing her to bring a unique, balanced perspective to health-focused organizations. In previous positions with the New Jersey Department of Health and various community-based nonprofits, Nuris demonstrated a strong ability to align operational goals with the needs of underserved populations while maintaining high standards in program development, compliance, and fiscal oversight.
A New Chapter in Wellspring’s History
The transition marks a new chapter for Wellspring, an organization with a long-standing reputation for its work in substance use prevention, mental health promotion, and youth and family support. Nuris’s arrival follows nearly two decades of growth under Helfand’s leadership, during which Wellspring expanded its services, deepened community partnerships, and became a key prevention resource throughout Central New Jersey.
With Nuris’s extensive experience in managing large-scale service delivery systems and navigating complex funding landscapes, Wellspring is well-positioned to continue delivering innovative, evidence-based programs across schools, communities, and professional sectors.
About Wellspring Center for Prevention
Wellspring Center for Prevention is a nonprofit organization based in East Brunswick, New Jersey, focused on promoting wellness through substance use prevention, mental health education, and early intervention. Since 1980, Wellspring has served individuals and families across Central New Jersey.
The organization offers school-based programs, youth counseling, professional development for addiction and mental health professionals, and community coalitions. All programs are grounded in evidence-based practices and tailored to meet local needs.
Wellspring empowers people to make healthy choices, strengthen resilience, and build safer, more supportive communities through its prevention and education services:
- Prevention Education: School and community-based programs designed to reduce risk factors and build resilience among youth.
- School-Based Clinical Services: On-site counseling and mental health services provided directly within school settings.
- Coalition for Healthy Communities: A collaborative initiative that unites professionals across disciplines to reduce youth substance use in Middlesex County.
- Training Programs: Professional development opportunities for counselors, educators, and prevention specialists seeking CEUs or certification support.
Welcome Nuris. Best of luck to you. You’ve joined a terrific staff committed to providing the best in substance use prevention programming and mental health services through its School Based Youth Services. Will continue to follow Wellspring’s growth and it’s positive impact on the community.