Sweetser was proud to have partnered with the Lewiston Auburn Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce as a drop-off location for their annual “Stuff the Bus” holiday campaign! The items were collected at the Sweetser’s Hope & Healing Center at 20 Mollison Way in Lewiston. These donations will help bring some holiday joy to local families, children, seniors, and pets this season. The donated items will be distributed to support those who need it most.
Thanks to all those who donated!
Sweetser has been awarded a $3,500 grant from the Town & Country Federal Credit Union’s Better Neighbor Fund!
Our friends at the credit union awarded grants totaling nearly $30,000 in 2025 to eight deserving non-profits that received the most votes from the public during their contest.
This vital funding will directly support our mission to strengthen mental health services for youth and families throughout Maine. A huge thank you to Town & Country FCU and to everyone who voted for Sweetser daily, making this possible!
At a reception held at their Scarborough headquarters, Sweetser’s Chief Communications Officer, Justin Chenette, accepted the grant alongside the other nonprofits from Town & Country FCU’s President & CEO, Dave Libby.
Click the link to learn more.
Oh what fun we had at our Cookies and Cocktails Donor Appreciation Night & Annual Board Meeting at The Lincoln Hotel in Biddeford. We had around 130 attendees, staff, and students from the school set up a table to sell student-made items.
Watch our recap video below…
The night also served as an annual board meeting where we inducted new corporators and board members to Sweetser, in addition to reappointments.
Pictured here from left to right: Sweetser President & CEO Jayne Van Bramer, Daniel Puhlman – New Board Member, Chris Anania – New Corporator, Zach Blanchard – New Corporator, & Jessica Demers, Chair, Board of Directors.
(Not pictured: Todd Valentine – Corporator, Robert Davis – Board Member)
New Corporators
Reappointment of Directors
New Directors
We also awarded three Sweetser Star Awards to recognize those who have gone above and beyond to help Sweetser’s mission.
The first award of the night went to Senator Henry Ingwersen as the Sweetser Star Legislative Champion!
Sen. Ingwersen was instrumental in advocating for and securing $2 million in initial funds to aid in the construction of Maine’s first psychiatric residential treatment facility. A project that Sweetser received the DHHS award for, to operate on our Saco campus, and we are working hard to fundraise to fulfill our commitment, as we speak. With his efforts, the HHS Committee was unanimous in its recommendation to include these funds in the budget before the full legislature signed off. His work doesn’t stop there. Sen. Ingwersen has introduced additional legislation for the upcoming January session to secure the last remaining funds needed for full construction to begin and to ensure this critical program will open for Maine’s most at-risk youth. We appreciate Senator Ingwersen for his advocacy and leadership in championing mental health and for his commitment to supporting Maine children in need.
Pictured here from left to right: Sweetser President & CEO Jayne Van Bramer, Sen. Henry Ingwersen, & Sweetser Chief Communications Officer Justin Chenette.
Central Maine Power received our Sweetser Star Corporate Partner award!
Sweetser relies on the generosity of corporate partners to ensure the mental health and substance use treatment we provide continues regardless of someone’s ability to cover the cost of care. Central Maine Power is a true partner in every sense of the word. The relationship we have forged centers around our longstanding history of serving the state of Maine and our shared commitment to lighting the way for Mainers most in need. The resources they help us raise directly fuel hope for Maine children and families in need of treatment. This is the power of shared purpose.
Pictured here from left to right: Sweetser President & CEO Jayne Van Bramer, Sweetser Chief Communications Officer Justin Chenette, Jade Wu with Central Maine Power.
And the last award of the night was presented to the team at WMTW-TV Channel 8 with our first-ever Sweetser Star Media Partner in Hope award!
Reducing the stigma attached to seeking mental health treatment and support is truly a team effort. It’s not something that can be done alone and certainly not without a strong media partner. WMTW Channel 8 demonstrates the importance of local TV news and the power of the visual medium in telling stories that make a difference in people’s lives. We have recently hit over 100 episodes of their weekly live Mental Health Moment segment! It’s quite an accomplishment to think of all the topics, experts, and resources we’ve been able to highlight together. WMTW Channel 8’s commitment to covering mental health goes beyond this segment though. It is demonstrated through their mental health television specials and even most recently in events that bring people together like their Spring into Hope Maine Fashion Show.
Pictured here from left to right: WMTW News Director Amy Beveridge, WMTW Anchor Meghan Torjussen, Sweetser President & CEO Jayne Van Bramer, & Sweetser Chief Communications Officer Justin Chenette.
WMTW also featured the event in their newscasts. You can watch their update here:
Beyond the tasty food and great company, we had a “Mistletoe Tester” photobooth set up. Check out the gallery to see all of the photos of the night:
Beyond the tasty food and great company, we had a “Mistletoe Tester” photobooth set up. Check out those photos below:
We’d like to thank our presenting sponsors, CGI Business Solutions and Maine Community Bank. This fabulous event would not be possible without CGI and Maine Community Bank’s support.
A big shout out to Sweetser’s Public Relations & Advancement team for their hard work organizing and executing this successful event!
Sweetser has been providing holiday cheer to kids in residential care since 1828.
Each year, Sweetser reaches out to the community to help provide gifts for children in our crisis and residential programs throughout the state. For many, these gifts are the only ones they will receive this holiday season.
We have created an Amazon registry listing each child’s wish for a holiday gift this year.
Participation is easy:
During checkout please be sure to do the following:
Click this link to shop the registry.
The deadline to purchase items is December 17th. That will give Sweetser elves enough time to sort, wrap and distribute the gifts in time for the holidays.
Thank you for your support and please help make this holiday even brighter by passing out message along!
Enjoy tasty barbecue and community spirit for a great cause! On this special evening, 20% of all in-house sales will be donated directly to Sweetser, supporting mental health and wellness programs throughout Maine. Come hungry and help make a difference by supporting mental health.
Flatbread Community Night
Tuesday, Nov. 11th, 5 – 9 PM
72 Commercial Street, Portland
Flatbread pizza sales benefit Sweetser.
Thank you for joining us for an evening of delicious wood-fired pizza in support of mental health! A portion of all flatbread pizza sales during the evening went to support Sweetser’s mental health mission, helping provide vital behavioral, emotional, and wellness services to members of our community. We’ll see you next year!
Due to poor weather, Aquaboggan’s Ghoulish Golf has been postponed to this Saturday, November 1st, from 6:00–9:30 PM.
Join us for some spooky, family-friendly fun at this Halloween-themed mini golf event – all in support of Sweetser’s mental health services.
Enjoy fried dough, warm apple cider, popcorn, and more! Dress up in costume for $2 off admission. 🎃
Bring your family, friends, and co-workers for a night of fun for all ages in support of our mental health mission. Located at 980 Portland Road in Saco.
Every laugh helps bring hope and healing to those in need. Don’t miss this unforgettable night of comedy and community!
TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW: https://sweetser.ejoinme.org/2025SmilesforSweetser
MEET THE COMEDIANS
Will Noonan
Will was named “Boston’s Best Comedian” by The Improper Bostonian magazine, is sometimes known as “The Honda Guy” for his job as spokesman in Honda commercials on TV and radio all over New England, and as well as for his fan-favorite role in the Netflix movie The Sleepover. He is well known for his internet presence.
Rob Steen
Rob has been doing comedy for 25 years. He began as a street performer at the age of 12 in Boston MA. Using his juggling and improv skills he decided to try Stand-Up! Since then he has kept a full calendar of over 350 shows per year! Rob has also been featured on several TV shows including The Late Show with Dave Letterman where he was a frequent guest. Rob is very high energy and will bring the whole audience together as a group with his unique style of crowd participation. His act is a mix of situations & observations that he has been in for the past 21 years of being an entertainer. Rob has been compared to Robin Williams due to his fast paced delivery & quick wit. Rob is great at working the crowd and making every show different. It is no wonder he is one of the most requested comedians in the Northeast. Rob will keep you on your toes and laughing non-stop.
Amy Tee
Armed with boyish charm and razor-sharp wit, Amy Tee has a talent for turning life’s messiest moments into comedic gold. Whether she’s riffing on bipolar disorder, recovery, or everyday absurdities, her humor is honest, disarming, and deeply human. She’s been featured by NAMI and other mental health organizations, using her act as both entertainment and advocacy. Specializing in breaking down stigmas around mental health, Amy doesn’t just perform—she connects, challenges, and heals through laughter.
Gabriel Perez
Gabriel Perez was raised in Chicago and moved to Maine at 24 after backpacking around the world. He would’ve been a dancer if his Broadway parents pushed him harder, but, without structure, arrived at comedy. He’s performed for three years, hosted for Bob Marley, and runs Final Bistro Productions and Flip Flops Comedy Club in Old Orchard Beach.
TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW: https://sweetser.ejoinme.org/2025SmilesforSweetser
Enjoy a fun night of Bingo, draft brews, and delicious bites for a great cause!
On October 15th, Definitive Brewing is teaming up with Sweetser to host a fun-filled Bingo Night for mental health. During the evening, 20% of all draft sales will go to supporting Sweetser’s vital mental health services. Stop by Sweetser’s resource table for swag giveaways and information about how you can support mental wellness in your community.
