We recently had the pleasure of attending the Camp Ellis HarborFest in Saco, and what a fantastic day it was! It was the perfect celebration of the working waterfront and the amazing people who help keep it going strong.
Saco is such an important part of Sweetser’s story, and our team was grateful for the opportunity to connect with so many community members about mental health resources.
We are pleased to announce that Justin Chenette is joining our Executive Team, known as the President’s Council, as our new Chief Communications Officer!
As a vital member of the Executive Team, the Chief Communications Officer (CCO) will lead strategic efforts across communications, marketing, advancement, business development, legislative affairs, and community engagement. Reporting directly to the CEO, the CCO serves on the President’s Council and oversees the Public Relations & Advancement Department.
In this role, Justin is responsible for strengthening the organization’s public image and visibility while broadening program outreach through multimedia storytelling, advertising, branding, and cross-platform messaging. Justin leads annual philanthropic initiatives, including donor engagement, corporate sponsorships, grant writing, and event planning. Additionally, Justin serves as Sweetser’s primary media spokesperson and helps coordinate government affairs, community engagement, and business development strategies.
Justin brings a proven track record of working collaboratively with executive leadership, board members, and key stakeholders to shape legislative priorities and build strong relationships with government leaders through strategic advocacy. He is an outstanding choice for this role. Please join us in congratulating Justin on this exciting new chapter.
Justin’s bio:
Justin Chenette serves as Sweetser’s Chief Communications Officer, leading all external and internal communications, public relations, business development, government affairs, and advancement initiatives. He joined Sweetser in 2022 as Communications Director and quickly advanced to Senior Director of Public Relations & Advancement before joining the C-suite. Justin is a seasoned strategic communicator with a diverse background in journalism, marketing, government, and nonprofit leadership. Before Sweetser, Justin’s career started in journalism, including hosting a statewide TV show in high school and working in TV news during college. He shifted into digital advertising and marketing, founded a scholarship foundation, and continues to operate a strategic communications consulting firm. His varied experience includes serving at all levels of government: municipal, county, state, and federal, as a four-term lawmaker, State Board of Education member, congressional intern, and County Commissioner. He is currently a state appointee on Maine’s Right to Know Advisory Committee. Justin’s achievements have been widely recognized, including being named to The Advocate magazine’s 40 Under 40 list of top leaders nationally, Mainebiz’s 40 Under 40 list, and receiving the Volunteer Service Award from two U.S. Presidents. He holds a Post-Baccalaureate Degree in Public Administration from the University of Maine at Augusta, a B.S. in Broadcast News from Vermont State University-Lyndon, and an Executive Certificate in Public Leadership from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government (as a Bohnett Leaders Fellow). Justin was honored with Lyndon’s Outstanding Young Alumni Award in 2019 and UMA’s Distinguished Alumni Award in 2025. Beyond his professional endeavors, Justin is a published author of ‘The Great Whoopie Pie Debate: A Kids’ Guide to the Maine Legislature’ and has been a newspaper columnist for over a decade.
Sweetser’s Chief Communications Officer, Justin Chenette, was interviewed by WGME Channel 13 on their Spotlight on ME segment about the dire state of youth mental health in Maine and what our amazing Child Act team is doing to support children and families. Watch below…
Thanks to everyone who came out last weekend to the Lobster Festival!
Between the delicious food, gorgeous coastal scenery, and live entertainment, we had a blast representing Sweetser at this beloved local fest! It was the perfect laid-back setting for sharing mental health resources with members of the community.
Check out all the fun was had!
Sweetser has opened a Substance Use intensive outpatient program, or IOP, that provides a structured treatment for substance use disorders while allowing individuals the ability to maintain their daily responsibilities, such as work, school, and family needs, while receiving intensive care.
The treatment model allows for personalized care. A comprehensive assessment tailors the treatment to the patient’s unique needs, strengths, and recovery goals. Treatment includes evidence-based therapy, psychoeducation, family education, harm reduction, and medication-assisted treatment.
Sweetser’s Senior Director of Community-Based Services for Cumberland County, Joey Rossignol, appeared on WMTW Channel 8 to discuss how this program will impact Mainers in need of recovery.
Sweetser’s MHAT Coordinator & Trainer Mason Cashman recently led a series of Adult Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) trainings for Cianbro, Maine’s largest construction firm.
Held at the Cianbro Institute in Pittsfield, 37 Cianbro employees, including jobsite safety supervisors, risk management specialists, and human resources professionals, earned their Mental Health First Aider certification. We appreciate Cianbro’s dedication to supporting mental well-being in Maine’s construction industry.
Learn more about Adult MHFA and other free Mental Health Awareness Trainings offered by Sweetser at Sweetser.org/FreeMentalHealthTraining.
Sweetser was honored to participate in the Sanford Mainers’ Nonprofit Night, an event dedicated to recognizing and uplifting the vital work of nonprofit organizations throughout Maine and neighboring communities in New Hampshire.
Held at Goodall Park, the event brought together a diverse group of organizations committed to making a positive impact across the region.
Sweetser is so proud of our Director of Recovery Services, Alaina Knox, for being featured in a recent edition of Journey Magazine and sharing her own personal journey of recovery.
View the article and the full magazine here: Alaina Knox • Journey
Sweetser appreciates everyone who came out to our Tribute to the Superstars of Soul benefit concert at Vinegar Hill Music Theatre in Arundel. The Higher Ground band with Sweetser’s Medical Director, Dr. Marc Kaplan, alongside American Idol’s Julia Gagnon, who got us grooving to the classics and some new hits. They are so incredibly talented and helped us raise around $16,000 to fuel our mission.
Thank you to the following sponsors and partners who made this event possible:
New data from the CDC shows encouraging progress in the fight against substance use: drug overdose deaths in the U.S. fell by 27% from 2023 to 2024, with Maine seeing a 20% decline, its lowest level since 2019. While this is positive news, as Sweetser’s Chief Communications Officer Justin Chenette notes, “one overdose death is one too many.” On this Mental Health Moment, Justin discussed with WMTW’s Meghan Torjussen the options that Mainers who are seeking recovery have.
Watch the full segment below:
Help is available across Maine, both in person and virtually:
Recovery is a journey—and no one has to walk it alone.
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.