Viewpoint Hotel’s first Gala for Mental Health is an unforgettable success

We appreciate the entire team at the Viewpoint Hotel in York for their hospitality and efforts in organizing their first Gala for Mental Health!

The night was filled with top-notch food, drinks, and a direct view of the Nubble Lighthouse, all in support of Sweetser’s critical mission. 

If you haven’t been to the Viewpoint, it’s a must-see! Truly a beautiful venue and hotel. Shout out to the following sponsors for fueling this incredible event and our mental health mission:

  • Tapley Insurance
  • Eldredge Lumber
  • Sysco
  • Kennebunk Savings Bank
  • Anchor Real Estate
  • Shoreline Construction
  • Portsmouth Quality Flooring
  • Stephen Carr Property Services

36th Sweetser Golf Classic repeats record-breaking total

What an incredible day! Our 36th annual Sweetser / Jack Chevrolet Golf Classic was a resounding success. We matched last year’s record-breaking total of nearly $113,000.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We want to especially acknowledge our presenting sponsor Jack Chevrolet, for their tremendous show of generosity! Ira, and now David Rosenberg and his family, have partnered with Sweetser for over two decades. Their support has never wavered and continues a family tradition of enriching the lives of the communities served by the Rosenberg family’s car dealerships. The late Ira Jack Rosenberg, for whom this tournament is dedicated, was truly a Sweetser champion. Pictured here: Jack Chevrolet General Manager Mike Gibel and Sweetser’s Jayne Van Bramer, Jodie Hansen, and Justin Chenette.

See our fun video recap:

The tournament would not have been successful without our team of dedicated volunteers who brought enthusiasm and bright spirits to the course:

  • Norm Cantara
  • Anna-Marie DiPaquale
  • Julia Donley
  • Karen Dow
  • Danice Heckathorn
  • Lori Lewis
  • Lynn Leland
  • Nina Marsanskis
  • Carol Mundigler
  • Kara Shamsi

We also want to thank our corporate sponsored teams for their strong support of our mission:

  • Jack- Chevrolet (2 teams)
  • Sanford Elks Lodge
  • CGI Business Solutions
  • ATX Advisory
  • Brian Gilbert Associates
  • Casella Waste
  • Domestiks Cleaning Services
  • Jim Godbout Plumbing and Heating
  • Maine Community Bank
  • Patrons Oxford Insurance
  • PM Construction
  • Seacoast Security
  • Strategic Media
  • Weirs Motor Sales
  • Bangor Savings Bank
  • Ben’s Flooring
  • Bergen & Parkinson
  • Biddeford Saco Old Orchard Beach Transit (BSOOB Transit)
  • Dunham Group
  • Franklin Printing
  • Sunlife / Fullscope RMS (2 teams)
  • HM Payson (2 teams)
  • Horch Roofing
  • KeyBank
  • Lincoln Financial Group
  • Northeast Delta Dental
  • PeoplesChoice Credit Union
  • Ray Labbe & Sons, Inc.
  • Systems Engineering
  • Toyota Financial Services
  • W. B. Mason

We are beyond grateful for each of you. Your support not only made this tournament possible but also strengthened our community. Thank you for being the driving force behind this success!

Check out our photo slideshow of our awesome teams…

 

Sweetser’s CEO on Mainebiz Health Care Panel

Sweetser’s President & CEO Jayne Van Bramer was honored to be a panelist at this year’s Mainebiz Health Care Forum in Freeport that brought together business, HR, and mental health leaders to discuss how employers can work to promote employee health and safety. Sweetser joined with fellow panelists from: MEMIC, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Systems Engineering, and SoulBeing. The forum was moderated by Kim Anania, President & CEO at KMA Human Resources Consulting. The topic? “Workplace Safety, Wellness, and Mental Health: The Business Role in Supporting Employee Well-Being.”

News: Maine Points Podcast hosts discussion about Mental Health Awareness Month

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and our Senior Director of Public Relations & Advancement, Justin Chenette, appeared on Newsradio WGAN‘s Maine Points to talk about the important work Sweetser is doing to reduce stigma and increase access to mental health across our state.

Take a listen: https://wgan.com/podcasts/102771-2/

Child ACT celebrates one year of impactful service

This May marks the 1-year anniversary of the Child Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) program! Since its launch, the ACT Team has supported 33 youth on their mental health journeys, successfully discharged 11 clients, with 9 stepping down to a less acute level of care, and 2 entering residential programs where they can continue their progress in a supportive environment.

Over the past year, we’ve expanded our staffing and introduced specialized roles to more effectively meet the needs of both older and younger youth. This is demonstrated in the way that our older participants benefit from our Youth Peer Support and Employment Specialists, while younger youth and their families often thrive through the guidance of our Behavioral Health Specialists and Family Support Specialists.

Meet Our Core Team

Wendy Anders – Senior Director
Taylor Paquin – Clinical Supervisor
Sonya Hawkins – Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
Eve Palmatier – Team Clinician
Arie Salisbury – Case Manager
Kayli Gertsen – Behavioral Health Professional
James Howard – Employment Specialist
Stephanie Lacourse – Nurse Care Manager
Becky Place & Tina Simas – Family Support Specialists
Hayleigh Bolduc & May Hohman – Youth Peer Support Specialists
Katreena Keefe – Program Administrative Support.

Relief Team

We are also grateful for our Relief Clinicians:

Willa Stockwell, Linda Berg, Meghan McCrillis, Chelsea Rose, Ellen Haney, and Terri Wentworth Bennett.

We appreciate our dedicated Relief Case Managers:

Laine Tapan Kane, Kris Gross, Meghan Kerry, Eileen Quimby, and Bridget Hester.

Thank you to all our staff, partners, youth, and families for making this year one of growth, resilience, and healing. We look forward to continuing this important work and celebrating many more milestones to come.

The Spring Into Hope Fashion Show was a blast

What a night in Old Orchard Beach! Our Spring Into Hope Maine Fashion Show, organized with our friends at WMTW Channel 8, was a big hit. Together, we were able to raise over $14,000 for Sweetser. Everyone had a blast walking the runway, enjoying the live DJ music, and hopping in front of the fun photobooth.

Check out some of the highlights of the night!

Media blitz on Sweetser securing funds for Maine’s 1st PRTF

Sweetser has been in the news recently highlighting the state awarding the organization $2 million to construct and operate Maine’s first Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility on the Saco campus. See the media stories below.

WGME Channel 13

WMTW Channel 8

Bangor Daily News

“Sweetser is proud to lead the effort to bring our kids home from expensive, out-of-state care,” said Sweetser CEO Jayne Van Bramer. “Our goal over the next year will be to create a therapeutic space in Saco that families can be proud of. With this decision, the state has taken a significant step toward filling a critical gap in the continuum of care and ultimately strengthening our youth behavioral health system.”

Read the full article

News Center Maine

Portland Press Herald

“Being able to have an available locked residential program for children who require that level of service is long overdue,” Van Bramer said in an interview Thursday. “The absence of that has resulted in children being sent out of state, away from family, languishing in emergency rooms for weeks or months at a time.”

Read the full article

LOCAL NEWS: Sweetser on Saco River TV

Sweetser’s Senior Director of Public Relations & Advancement, Justin Chenette, appeared on the TV show Saco River Chronicles to discuss Sweetser’s latest programs and available resources for those in the area. The show is broadcast in select towns throughout York County on the Saco River Television channel. Check out this segment to hear the latest.

NEWS: Sweetser participates in behavioral health press conference

Recently, Sweetser’s President & CEO Jayne Van Bramer joined with other partner organizations as part of the Behavioral Health Priorities Coalition to release the legislative package we are advocating for this session. Some of our priority legislation includes bills like An Act to Expand Child Assertive Community Treatment and An Act to Provide Grants to Schools That Contract for Behavioral and Mental Health Services.

View the full legislative package below:

2025 BHPC Legislative Package by Sweetser