Lindsay Susi, our Clinical Director for Sweetser’s New England Eating Disorders Program, joined WMTW to talk about eating disorders for our weekly Mental Health Moment TV segment. She explained why eating disorders are a form of mental illness.
Lowe’s Red Vest Volunteers Kick Off Sweetser Playground Rehab
On October 4th, volunteers from Lowe’s and Points of Light Foundation donated their time as part of the rehab to outdoor recreation on Sweetser’s Saco Campus. Volunteers spent the morning dismantling existing playgrounds, which will be replaced with safe, durable equipment for kids on the campus to use. Landscaping was also refreshed with new mulch and fall plantings.
Justin Chenette, Sweetser’s Senior Director of PR and Advancement, addressed volunteers, outlining the impact of the Lowe’s grant. “We are so incredibly proud to be one of only 100 projects nationally selected by Lowe’s to receive a hometown community impact grant and the only project awarded in Maine. This demonstrates your commitment to the behavioral health needs of Maine’s next generation. Your efforts are literally rebuilding and revitalizing community spaces across the country. Here in Maine, you will be doing something truly transformational.”
As part of the project, Sweetser’s existing tennis court will be reimagined into a modern, multi-purpose play court with basketball hoops and painted play features for games like pickleball, kickball, and 4-square. Some of that work has already begun.
“Creating this new play space and multipurpose court for children’s outdoor games provides opportunities for peer-to-peer interaction so kids can learn how to interact with each other,” said Sweetser President & CEO Jayne Van Bramer. “It also provides children with a space to work on their gross motor skills. This play space will help children reduce anxiety and stress along with teaching important physical, mental, and emotional skills like cooperation, patience, and balance. In essence, outdoor play is good for children’s physical health, development, and mental wellbeing. It’s fun too!”
Watch the video:
Tyler LaPlante, Lowe’s Store Manager in Portland commented on the importance of community and uniting in support of Sweetser. “We’re only as strong as the communities that we have around us and today is a pretty awesome thing to see,” he said.
The rehab was made possible by a $145,000 award from Lowe’s Hometowns—the company’s impact program, which is committed to rebuilding and revitalizing community spaces nationwide. Sweetser is one of only 100 projects nationally selected by Lowe’s to receive a grant and the only project awarded in Maine.
Maine Community Bank invests in youth mental health
From left to right: Maine Community Bank’s Hilary Mitchell & Susan Mellon and Sweetser’s Jayne Van Bramer & Justin Chenette.
Thank you to Maine Community Bank for their ongoing commitment to Sweetser, the clients we serve, and for their direct support assisting with our new outdoor recreation space on our Saco campus. This $10,000 donation will help us complete this project with our community partners. As we all know, outdoor play is good for children’s physical health, development, and mental wellbeing.
Casco Bay Ford raises $10,000 for youth mental health
Our promotion last month with Casco Bay Ford raised over $10,000 for Sweetser’s youth mental health programs! We deeply appreciate everyone at Casco Bay Ford and to everyone who purchased a vehicle this past month. Pictured here with the Casco Bay Ford team including General Sales Manager John Litwinetz and our Senior Director of PR & Advancement Justin Chenette.
Support Mental Health with these October Fundraisers for Sweetser
Continuing our positive momentum from our record-breaking auction, we have a busy October planned. Below are the many initiatives Sweetser has going on during the month of October. Please consider getting involved and helping spread the word within your networks.
Town & Country Grant Voting Contest – All through October
Sweetser has been selected as one of 25 non-profits to advance to the voting phase of Town & Country Federal Credit Union’s 2023 Better Neighbor Fund. $25,000 in grants are up for grabs for the nonprofits receiving the most votes on Town & Country’s website.
You can vote once a day, every day online during the month of October. Please consider bookmarking the voting link and make a plan to vote each day to help support Sweetser.
VOTE HERE: https://www.tcfcu.com/community-events/better-neighbor-fund/better-neighbor-fund-voting
Marc Motors Oil Change Fundraiser – All through October
Need an oil change? Make an appointment with Marc Motors Nissan in Sanford! All this month, they will generously donate $5 from every oil change to Sweetser. Call 324-3454 to make an appointment or just drop by the service center at 1744 Main Street.
Stevie Wonder Benefit Concert — Saturday, Oct. 21st, 8PM
Our upcoming benefit concert for Sweetser will be a tribute to Stevie Wonder, featuring 18 of Portland’s most accomplished musicians performing 24 Stevie Wonder songs. The concert is organized by our own Medical Director Dr. Marc Kaplan.
Location: 375 Forest Avenue Portland
Tickets are $15 and should be purchased in advance as this tends to sell out.
Tickets available here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/higher-ground-a-tribute-to-stevie-wonder-a-benefit-for-sweetser-tickets-666880807447
Flatbread Pizza Night – Tuesday Oct 24th 5-9PM
Sweetser will receive a portion of proceeds of any size pizza sales ordered between 5pm-9pm on Tuesday October 24th at Flatbread in Portland, located at 72 Commercial Street. All flatbreads ordered at the restaurant, through takeout or delivery will be counted.
Sweetser Speaks about Youth Mental Health Crisis at Local Ten Talks Event
Sweetser’s President & CEO Jayne Van Bramer was one of 10 community leaders that included area elected officials, business owners, and the President of UNE that spoke at the Biddeford Saco Chamber of Commerce + Industry’s Ten Talks event at the Biddeford City Theater. Her topic was Youth in Crisis: Have we reached the breaking point.
WATCH HERE:
WMTW: As suicide numbers grow, there is help available in Maine
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2022, nearly 50,000 people in the U.S. died by suicide. That’s the most suicides in a single year in U.S. history and marks a 2.6% increase over the prior year.
Sweetser’s Medical Director, Dr. Marc Kaplan, joined WMTW as part of our weekly TV segment to talk about the challenges and resources available in Maine when it comes to suicide.
Full article here: https://www.wmtw.com/article/suicide-numbers-help-available-maine-suicide-depression-sweetser/45303134#
Vote to earn Sweetser a grant!
Sweetser has been selected as one of 25 non-profits to advance to the voting phase of Town & Country Federal Credit Union’s 2023 Better Neighbor Fund charitable giving campaign.
This fall, Town & Country is giving away a total of $25,000 to eight charitable organizations across Southern Maine receiving the most votes on Town & Country’s website.
Individuals can vote once a day, every day during the month of October. It’s tied to your email address, so if you have multiple email addresses, you can vote with each different email address you have.
Please consider bookmarking the voting link and make a plan to vote each day to help support us.
Vote Here: Better Neighbor Fund Voting | Town & Country Federal Credit Union (tcfcu.com)
Record-Breaking Sold on Kids Auction!
We just had a record-breaking auction, raising over $190,000 for Sweetser’s behavioral health programs! Best year ever for our auction in its 31 years.
Check out some of the photo highlights below…
We thank the following business and corporate partners for investing in our mission:
- KeyBank
- Systems Engineering
- Casco Bay Insurance Agency
- Central Maine Power
- CGI Business Solutions
- Connected Office Technologies
- R. M. Davis, Inc.
- Tyler Technologies
- Bangor Savings Bank
- Calare Properties, Inc.
- Casco Bay Ford
- Gloss Hair Parlor
- Haven’s Candies
- HM Payson
- Jim Godbout Plumbing & Heating
- Saco & Biddeford Savings
- Bob Letellier – Coldwell Banker Realty
- Clark Insurance
- Gawron Turgeon Architects
- GoodNylund Wealth Management
- Gorham Savings Bank
- InterMed
- Lebel & Harriman
- Machias Savings Bank
- Martin Associates
- Martin’s Point Health Care
- M&T Bank
- Northeast Delta Dental
- Paquin & Carroll Insurance
- PM Construction Company
- York Hospital
Sweetser Partners with WMTW Channel 8 for New Weekly TV Segment
Sweetser and ABC’s WMTW Channel 8 are joining forces to reduce stigma around seeking mental health treatment and educating the public around available resources.
Each week, a Sweetser representative will be featured live on-air during their Friday Noon newscast. This will be great exposure for us as an organization. We kicked things off with discussing youth mental health. Watch below…