Isabel Berman

Isabel was recognized as the 2020 Prudential Spirit of Community Award State Honoree. This award included a donation to the charity of her choice and Isabel chose Spurwink! She earned this award for recognizing that vaping and e-cigarettes was affecting her peers, it was more than a fad, they were becoming addicted to nicotine. She took action to ensure that future youth knew the dangers of vaping. She conducted research and created the video “The Truth” which is now being utilized in the middle school health curriculum at Cape Elizabeth. Isabel is fascinated by how brains work and will be studying Neuro Science this Fall at the University of Vermont. Her interest in behavioral health is a family affair beginning with her grandfather, Harry Burman a former Spurwink’s President and continues to be inspired by her parents. As a child, her grandfather shared how a student at Spurwink had an interest in cooking and his teachers had worked with to bake cookies. The student had such pride from that experience that it lead him to become a chef. Isabel was inspired by individual care and commitment Spurwink staff had with their clients to help them become their best-self. This understanding of Spurwink’s mission has lead Isabel to raised money for Spurwink for many years, including running Beach to Beacon. She hopes her actions will inspire others to improve and advance behavioral healthcare for kids and adults and she aspires to have a career in behavior healthcare. We are grateful for Isabel’s dedication and excited for what the future holds for her.