“I go to bed every night, knowing we’re collectively making a real difference in the lives of children, adults and families throughout our state. I’m so very proud to be part of the Sweetser story.” – Jayne Van Bramer, Sweetser’s President & CEO in Mainebiz
Sweetser’s Saco office lifted the spirits of students and staff from the Saco Campus by transforming the office into Wonka Chocolate Factory for Halloween.
Thank you to all staff who participated in this wonderful event for our students!
From left to right: Brunswick Police Chief Scott Stewart, Sweetser’s Senior Director of Crisis Jessica LeBlanc, & Sweetser’s new Mental Health Liaison for Law Enforcement Michael Maudlin
Sweetser has established a new partnership between law enforcement agencies throughout Brunswick and Sagadahoc County to provide crucial liaison work, including de-escalation resources and mental health support to those most in need.
Sweetser Liaison Michael Maudlin, who was hired for this new position, is based out of the Brunswick Police Department. He will also work with Bath and Topsham Police Departments, as well as the Sagadahoc County Sherriff’s Office.
The liaison can respond alongside law enforcement or respond to referrals from law enforcement and other community entities. The new partnership will have a goal to reduce the level of mental health work police are responsible for.
“Law enforcement can’t do it alone,” Brunswick Police Chief Scott Stewart said. “We are looking forward to how we can better protect and serve our area with the added capacity and outside expertise to address the mental health needs of our community.”
Mental health liaisons can step in and provide a different level of service than law enforcement can offer on their own. Liaisons can provide community members with links to area resources, mental health support, and de-escalation.
The movement toward hiring behavioral health professionals to work with law enforcement acknowledges that law enforcement officers have been asked to wear many hats, acting as both law enforcement and frontline mental health response.
“We’ve seen this model work extremely well and now it will be deployed throughout the Midcoast,” Sweetser’s Senior Director of Crisis & Adult Residential Jessica LeBlanc said. “When law enforcement is called, Sweetser hopes to put treatment, support, and hope on the forefront of community engagement in situations where behavioral health professionals might be best suited to respond.”
The Brunswick PD and the Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Office have joined together to fund this position using Opioid Settlement funds, with work having already begun. Maine is receiving at least $235 million over the next two decades in settlements from companies accused of fueling the opioid crisis.
“It’s the best use of these funds to send back out in our communities to provide critical services that address the crisis we are currently experiencing,” says Sagadahoc County Sherriff Joel Merry.
Sweetser has liaisons embedded in various law enforcement entities across the state.
BIDDEFORD – NOV. 2nd
Present this flyer at Portland Pie Company at 40 Main St in Biddeford Thursday Nov. 2nd and 10% of all order proceeds will come to Sweetser! Help support youth mental health with some delicious local pizza. Must present flyer, printed or digitally, to count.
BANGOR – Nov. 14th
Present this flyer at Portland Pie Company at 91 Main St in Bangor Tuesday Nov. 14th and 10% of all order proceeds will come to Sweetser! Help support youth mental health with some delicious local pizza. Must present flyer, printed or digitally, to count.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 OctoberSweetser 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 OctoberNeed 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, 8PMOur 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
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’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: