Female Orphan Asylum – Children’s Home of Portland
15 prominent women from Portland society petitioned the state legislature to incorporate as the Female Orphan Asylum of Portland (later the Children’s Home of Portland). The bill was enacted in February and on the first of April, the women opened a fully operational orphan “house” on the corner of Free & South Streets.

Female Orphan Asylum – 50th Anniversary Annual Report
The 50th Anniversay Annual Report of the Female Orphan Asylum.

Cornelius Sweetser Bequeaths Funds
Cornelius Sweetser dies; bequeathing funds to be used, “for the foundation, maintenance and support of an Orphan Asylum in Saco, to be called the Sweetser Orphan Asylum.” It took three decades, but this was established on Moody Street in Saco.
Acts of Incorporation of Female Orphan Asylum
A photo of the Acts of Incorporation of Female Orphan Asylum

Little Samaritan Aid Society (later named Maine Home for Boys)
A picture of the Little Samaritan Aid Society, which was later named the Maine Home for Boys.

Children’s Aid Society of Maine in Belfast, established

Children’s Aid Society – Act of Incorporation
Photo of the Act of Incorporation of the Children’s Aid Society

Sweetser Orphan Asylum Opens in Saco
May 20, 1917 – The opening of the Sweetser Orphan Asylum on Moody Street in Saco.

Children’s Home 100th Anniversary Report
Angelic cherubs on the cover of the 1928 – 100th anniversary report

Mother Goose Visiting Children
Photo of Mother Goose visiting with children.

Children’s Home of Portland Joins Sweetser Home for Boys
Children’s Home of Portland joined with the Sweetser Home for Boys to become the Sweetser Children’s Home
Children’s Aid Society of Maine Joins Sweetser Children’s Home
Sweetser Children’s Home brought the Children’s Aid Society of Maine into the fold.
Sweetser Children’s Home Adds the Maine Home for Boys
Ruel Ricker
Ruel Ricker was the first Sweetser farmer who lived with his family in the original farmhouse and raised horses, pigs and chickens, and supplied the campus with fresh vegetables. An annual Ricker Farm Day event has taken place for over thirty years each summer, as a tribute to him, his passion for farming and working the land. It continues to be a fun opportunity for friends and families of those involved with Sweetser to enjoy a day of games and activities and learning about the Farm and Sweetser services.

Sweetser Children’s Services
May 28, 1992 – Sweetser Children’s Home becomes “Sweetser Children’s Services”

Merges with the Family Institute of Maine
Sweetser Children’s Services merges with the Family Institute of Maine
Sweetser Acquires PROTEA
Sweetser acquires PROTEA Behavioral Health Services
Sweetser Merges with Richardson Hollow
Sweetser merges with Richardson Hollow in the greater Lewiston/Auburn area to expand Case Management Services.
Partners with Transitions Mental Health and Phoenix Mental
Sweetser acquired Transitions Mental Health of greater Portland and Phoenix Mental Health of greater Bangor to expand our Affiliate network now approaching 500 strong.
Harbor Family Services Merges into Sweetser
Harbor Family Services merges into Sweetser, adding an additional six locations to geographic reach from Rockport to Winterport.
Developmental Services
Sweetser added Developmental Services, serving adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities living in a community setting in April 2018.