In this WMTW Mental Health Moment, Joanne Grant, Sweetser’s Chief Growth Officer, discusses how Sweetser partnered with the City of Biddeford to provide free, confidential trauma support following a recent community tragedy. Learn how Critical Incident Stress Management helps individuals process traumatic events, why early mental health support matters, and the resources available for those in need.
We were thrilled to welcome the Tom’s of Maine team to our Saco campus as part of their annual Goodness Day volunteer initiative. Their dedication, energy, and generosity will make a lasting impact on our campus, and we are incredibly grateful they chose to spend the day supporting Sweetser and the youth we serve.
Creating safe, welcoming, and therapeutic environments is essential to helping young people heal, grow, and thrive. Thanks to community partners like Tom’s of Maine, we can continue to enhance our spaces and provide the very best experience for those in our care.
Throughout the day, nearly 70 volunteers rolled up their sleeves and tackled a variety of projects across campus. The team painted fences around our Special Purpose School and outside the former NEED building, installed and painted benches along our new walking trails that the Facilities team has been working to create, and even built bat boxes to support local wildlife.
As an added gift, Tom’s of Maine also donated beautiful benches that will provide a place for reflection and connection for staff and youth for years to come. The benches will be installed near the basketball courts to enhance the usability of our outdoor recreation area.
A special thank you goes to Sweetser’s Facilities Team and Advancement Team for their hard work coordinating the day and ensuring the volunteer projects were organized and ran smoothly. Their planning and support helped make this meaningful partnership a success for all involved.
To the entire Tom’s of Maine team: thank you for your commitment to giving back and for helping make Sweetser an even better place for everyone who visits our campus.
If you have an interest in volunteering with Sweetser, you can learn more here.
Invest in yourself. Grow with Sweetser!
The latest Sweetser Training Institute Professional Development Workshop Catalog for the 2026-2027 training season is hot off the presses! Sweeter’s training team has worked hard to cultivate a range of offerings that feature innovative trainings and workshops designed to support your professional growth, strengthen clinical skills, and develop leadership capacity across our organization and out in the community.
Explore new approaches to client engagement and treatment through courses such as:
Strengthen your leadership skills with practical, interactive trainings focused on team development and communication:
Build your knowledge and resources for supporting children and adolescents through new workshops, including:
Our Institute is also launching a new Substance Use Disorder Certificate Program designed to help non-LADC clinicians build confidence and competence in treating clients with substance use disorders. Participants complete a series of core courses and an elective to earn their certificate.
Core Courses:
Electives:
View the full catalog below or use this link: https://publuu.com/flip-book/1084386/2567994Â
We’re spreading hope in Brunswick—one wall at a time.
The halls of our Brunswick Hope & Healing Center have been transformed thanks to the talent and vision of our own Art Educator, Nick Blunier, who designed and painted a series of inspiring murals throughout our Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC).
From the moment clients walk through the doors, they are welcomed by a powerful reminder that Recovery Is Possible. As they make their way to appointments, they are surrounded by a vibrant Maine-inspired mural anchored by one simple but meaningful word: HOPE.
These murals do more than brighten the space; they reflect the heart of the work happening inside our clinic every day. They serve as a visual reminder that healing is possible, recovery is real, and no one has to face life’s challenges alone.
At Sweetser, hope isn’t just something we talk about; it’s something we strive to make visible. Thanks to Nick’s incredible work, that message now greets and inspires everyone who enters our Brunswick Hope & Healing Center.
Eat local. Give back. Make a difference.
On August 27, Burnt Ends Barbecue is donating 10% of all in-house and online sales to support Sweetser’s mental health mission. Gather your friends and family and join us for a delicious way to support mental health for Mainers all across the state.
Sweetser has been selected again as a nonprofit partner in the Hannaford Community Bag Program. Sweetser will receive $1 from the sale of every $2.50 reusable Community Bag sold during the month of August at the 532 Main Street, Saco, and 787 Riverside Street, Portland locations.
The Chipping Fore a Cause golf tournament brought community members together for a day of fun, friendly competition, and community at Pine Hollow Par 3 in Sanford. The event raised support for Sweetser’s mental health and recovery services, helping provide critical care and resources to children, adults, and families across Maine.
Below are our sponsors & supporters who made the day special:
We’d also like to extend a special thank you to the following for their tireless support and generosity:
Visit Golfer’s Crossing Mini Golf & Ice Cream on August 16 for Putt for a Purpose. From open to close, 50% of all mini golf and ice cream sales will be donated to Sweetser to support critical mental health services.
Bring your family, challenge your friends, treat yourself to some ice cream, and make every putt count!
In the devastating aftermath of the deadly shooting in Biddeford, Sweetser stepped forward as a vital pillar of support, partnering with the City of Biddeford to provide free CISM (Critical Incident Stress Management) community support sessions at the JR Martin Community Center and The Reach.
Recognizing the critical need to connect grieving and traumatized residents with immediate mental health care, Sweetser’s Chief Growth Officer, Joanne Grant, actively engaged with local media outlets WMTW Channel 8 and WGME Channel 13 to broadcast the availability of these vital resources. Joanne emphasized that Sweetser’s critical incident stress management team is on the ground to assess emotional stability and, most importantly, listen to those carrying the weight of this tragedy.
Biddeford residents, directly or indirectly impacted by this tragedy, can continue to receive free access to our team for ongoing support by reaching out to us at info@sweetser.org. It’s another way Sweetser is meeting the moment after the tragedy.
WMTW Story:
WGME Story:
We have some incredible news to celebrate: Sweetser has been voted Best Mental Health Care (Non-Profit) for the greater Biddeford/Saco region by BestOfSurveys.com! While this award bears Sweetser’s organization’s name, the honor belongs entirely to our staff. Every single day, their dedication, compassion, and expertise change lives across this community.
This recognition is a direct reflection of the seamless, collective effort across our entire Saco campus:
Thank you for reaching out to our Sweetser Access Team. Your message is important to us. We will respond to you as soon as possible during our regular business hours. You can also call our PromiseLine directly at 1-800-434-3000 to access services. If you are in crisis, please text or call 988.