Sweetser is one of only 100 projects nationally selected by Lowe’s to receive a hometown community impact grant and the only project awarded in Maine.
The $145,000 award was combined with other community-based resources and support to rebuild and revitalize the outdoor recreation spaces on Sweetser’s Saco campus. This included new playgrounds and a multi-purpose play court for the youth they serve between ages 5-18, K-12 engaged in Sweeter’s Child Crisis, Residential, and Educational Programs.
Caption: Sweetser’s President & CEO Jayne Van Bramer, Senior Director of PR & Advancement Justin Chenette, Lowe’s Portland Store Manager Tyler LaPlante, and representatives from Maine Community Bank, Rotary Club of Saco Bay Sunset, and the Pendleton Fund.
“This new outdoor recreation space will aid in improving the mental wellbeing and healing for the students and youth we serve on campus,” says Justin Chenette, Sweetser’s Senior Director of PR & Advancement. “Thanks to our amazing community partners and to Lowe’s, this play space will help children reduce anxiety and stress along with teaching important physical, mental, and emotional skills like cooperation, patience, and balance.”
Sweetser recently held a ribbon cutting opening up the outdoor recreation spaces to their young clients. In addition to Lowe’s, the following organizations assisted with the final project including Maine Community Bank, Sam L Cohen Foundation, Rotary Club of Saco Bay Sunset, and the Pendleton Fund.