Lewiston strong is so much more than a couple of simple words. It speaks to the strength of our community and Mainers supporting each other and holding each other up in times of tragedy. A remembrance event was held at The Colisee in Lewiston to remember and honor all those impacted, those who responded, and those who continue to support the people affected.

Our team was on hand during the event to provide direct support and assistance for those in attendance. We also provided individuals with resources to access services and support going forward.

Our President & CEO Jayne Van Bramer appeared throughout the day on WMTW Channel 8 to provide support and resources, as well as to highlight our new Lewiston clinic, which will open next month. Watch below.

Sweetser is opening a new transitional-aged youth residential program in Saco next month to better the lives of young adults aged 18-24. This program will provide a physical, therapeutic place for young adults to receive individual & group treatment, enrichment activities, social interactions within a group setting, and support to work, go to school, or volunteer. Sweetser’s Adult Residential Director Doug Weaver teased the opening to WMTW Channel 8 on their weekly TV segment

Sweetser recently hosted a dozen state legislators for mental health roundtable discussions. The events were organized and held at our locations in Portland, Saco, Brunswick, and Sanford. Sweetser’s President & CEO Jayne Van Bramer and our Senior Director of Public Relations & Advancement Justin Chenette, led the discussions. 

We appreciate their interest in supporting Sweetser’s vision to eliminate the stigma associated with mental health and to make access to treatment and recovery possible for all. We will continue our legislative engagement as we work with systemwide partners on our legislative package. 

Portland

• Speaker Rachel Talbot Ross
• Representative Melanie Sachs

Saco

• Senator Donna Bailey
• Representative Drew Gattine
• Representative Lori Gramlich
• Saco City Councilour/soon-to-be Representative Marshall Archer

Brunswick

• Representative Lydia Crafts

Sanford

• Representative Anne-Marie Mastraccio
• Representative Holly Sargent
• Representative David Woodsome
• Representative Dan Sayre
• Representative Ann Fredericks

Sweetser’s Senior Director of Public Relations & Advancement Justin Chenette was named to Mainebiz Magazine’s 40 Under 40 which recognizes the next generation of leaders. This is the third year the outlet has published a list of individuals they deem as Maine’s ‘up-and-comers who are changing Maine and the economy for the better.’

One of the questions Mainebiz asked in their profile of him was where does Justin see himself at age 60. His response? “I hope to be giving back in a way that’s impactful, purpose-driven, and meaningfully improves the lives of others. Service is in my blood. It’s a part of who I am.”

Justin will be awarded the honor at the 40 Under 40 Awards Reception in Portland in November. Check out the article below.

https://www.mainebiz.biz/article/40-under-40-justin-chenette-is-a-nonprofit-staffer-committed-to-community-service 

Sweetser’s Dr. Marc Kaplan appeared on News Center Maine’s Let’s Talk About It segment to discuss the impact changing seasons can have on your mental health including seasonal affective disorder.

When there is a traumatic event that happens out in the community, there are professionals who are trained to respond to assist individuals whose mental health is impacted by the stress of such terrible situations. Sweetser’s Chief Growth Officer Joanne Grant spoke to WMTW about the support available for Critical Incident Stress Management or CISM. Sweetser received a grant from Marr Anderson Family Foundation to train our employees in CISM, and we currently have approximately 25 staff trained in CISM.

We held Sweetser’s 75th annual meeting alongside our donor appreciation event. The Sweetser Soiree was held at The Landing at Pine Point and was an opportunity to elect board members and corporators, mingle with donors, watch our year-in-review video, and get a state-of-the-organization update.

Watch our year-in-review video below…

The following individuals were nominated and approved to join as new corporators: 

• Marise Anagnost
• John Downing
• Barbara Lamont
• Denise Labbe
• Michael Thorne

President & CEO Jayne Van Bramer (left) and Board Chair Jessica Demers (right) with new corporators Marise Anagnost, Michael Thorne, Denise Labbe & John Downing.

The following board members were reappointed:

• William Zafirson, who was also named as Treasurer.
• Margaret Shepp

Mike Del Tergo was named as Secretary and James Nylund is now Vice Chair.

Board Officers: Vice Chair James Nylund, Secretary William Zafirson, Chair Jessica Demers and Treasurer Mike Del Tergo

Three Sweetser Star awards were given to donors who have gone above and beyond:

• Sue Sturgis / Tyler Technologies
• Marise Anagnost / Sanford Elks
• Denise Labbe / Sanford Elks

President & CEO Jayne Van Bramer, Marise Anagnost / Sanford Elks, Senior Director of PR & Advancement Justin Chenette, Denise Labbe / Sanford Elks

For mental health professionals, participating in professional development is not just about staying current in their job or meeting certain requirements, it can also make them better at serving the needs of those they help. Sweetser’s Training Director, Jayne Pelletier, joined WMTW’s weekly segment to discuss the importance of mental health providers to do ongoing professional development.

Our 2024 Ruel Ricker Country Fair Day was a blast!

Thank you to all the Saco campus staff who worked so hard to organize this successful event and to all the team members, board members, and corporate partners who helped out! This annual event is one the highlights for the kids we serve on our Saco campus. There were three volunteers from UNUM and five from Saco & Biddeford Savings.

On September 18th, 118 Unum employees volunteered in Saco as part of the company’s annual Leadership Development Summit. The volunteers arrived in three coach buses and came from offices in Tennessee, North Carolina, Georgia, Maine, and the United Kingdom! Their efforts totaled 354 hours of work. We appreciate being included in their summit and thank them for their hard work!

The future leaders tackled 23 projects in two locations—the Saco Campus and the Saco Administration building—including pruning, mulching, scraping, staining/painting, trimming hedges, and landscaping. See the results:

Watch the highlights video:

Special shout out to Sweetser Volunteer Manager Karen Dow, staff volunteers, and the Facilities team for their work to organize and deliver a successful event.