This week’s WMTW Mental Health Moment focuses on fathers and mental health ahead of Father’s Day and Men’s Mental Health Month. Sweetser CFO John McAnuff discusses the unique challenges dads face at every stage of fatherhood—from the stress of welcoming a new baby to balancing family, career, and caregiving responsibilities later in life.
Our annual Sweetser Jack Chevrolet Golf Classic was our biggest fundraising tournament in the event’s 37-year history!
We especially want to acknowledge our longstanding presenting sponsor, Jack Chevrolet, for their tremendous generosity. The late Ira Jack Rosenberg, for whom this tournament is dedicated, was truly a Sweetser champion through and through. Ira’s passion for this cause truly lives on in his family. David Rosenberg and his entire team are true partners in every sense of the word. Together, they have partnered with Sweetser for decades. Their support has never wavered and continues with a family tradition of enriching the lives of the communities served by the Rosenberg family’s car dealerships.
A massive thank you to our incredible Birdie Sponsors:
Shout out to the following Par Sponsors for helping to make this our biggest tournament ever:
Thank you to all the sponsored teams for their participation:
And WMTW’s Travis Lee was a big hit as this year’s Celebrity Golfer! We’d like to extend thanks to Travis and the whole team at Dunegrass Golf Club. We’d like to also give a special shout-out to all of the volunteers who helped make this tournament such a success!
Corporate Volunteers
Sweetser Volunteers
WMTW featured the tournament in their coverage:
Sweetser has been voted #1 in Mental Health Care (Non-Profit) for the Portland Region by BestOfSurveys.com! Pictured above from left to right: Crisis Triage Coordinator Bonnie Parlette, Director of Recovery Services Alaina Knox, Director of Crisis Services Elise Chase, President & CEO Jayne Van Bramer, OPTIONS Liaison (Cumberland County) Jenn Giggey, Chief Financial Officer John McAnuff, Chief Growth Officer Joanne Grant, Chief Human Resources Officer Holly Hall, and Chief Communications Officer Justin Chenette.
We ordered perfect weather. What an incredible evening by the lighthouse. Thank you to everyone who joined us for the Viewpoint Hotel’s 2nd Annual Gala for Mental Health. We’re so grateful you chose to spend this special night in support of Maine families.
From the stunning setting to the meaningful conversations, the evening was a powerful reminder of why this work matters. The stories shared of how mental health has touched so many families were heartfelt, honest, and deeply moving. They are what fuel our mission and inspire us to keep going.
A heartfelt appreciation to our gracious hosts at Viewpoint Hotel, whose beautiful venue created the perfect backdrop for connection, generosity, and hope. And to our sponsors: Kennebunk Savings Bank, Tapley Insurance, Shoreline Construction, Portsmouth Quality Flooring, Michael McGrath, and Inspired Nation, your support helps turn compassion into action.
June is Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month. In this WMTW Mental Health Moment, Sweetser’s Mike Andrick explains why many men struggle in silence, the warning signs to watch for, and how support—from therapy to simple conversations—can make a life-saving difference. If you or someone you know needs help, call or text 988.
Get ready to boogie! Friday Night Fever brings 70s hits and disco grooves to the beautiful Vinegar Hill in Arundel, all in support of Sweetser. Plush will be performing live, delivering high-energy 70s classics and disco favorites that will light up the night.
All proceeds benefit mental health in Maine – grab your friends, enjoy your favorite throwback hits, and party hard to support mental health!
Plush is a Maine-based 10-piece live band bringing energy, style, and a full dance-floor sound to events across New England. With 4 vocalists, a 2-piece horn section, and a driving rhythm section, Plush delivers a versatile, high-energy show that feels equally at home from black-tie galas to packed wedding receptions and community celebrations.
Join us at Funtown Splashtown USA on June 26th for a special Community Day benefiting Sweetser! Bring your friends and family for a day full of thrills, laughs and summer fun, all while making a difference. For every ticket sold, $1 will be donated back to Sweetser to support vital mental health services. Mark your calendar and grab your tickets!
As prices for heating oil, gas, and groceries climb, experts share practical ways Mainers can manage financial anxiety. Sweetser’s Chief Communications Officer Justin Chenette sat down with NEWS CENTER Maine’s Alex Haskell to discuss this connection.
PRWeek is the leading trade magazine, news website, and information brand for the global public relations and communications industry. To mark Pride Month, PRWeek is recognizing leading public relations professionals who identify as LGBTQ+ on its fifth annual Pride in PR list. Pride in PR is a list of 30 inspirational LGBTQ+ communications professionals who will be profiled one person per day throughout the month of June.
Sweetser’s Chief Communications Officer, Justin Chenette, was profiled as part of the series. Here are a few responses from the featured piece below:
How has your personal definition of “Pride” evolved over the past few years?
‘My definition of Pride has evolved from a celebration of visibility into an act of sustained, institutional resilience. A few years ago, Pride felt expansive, focusing heavily on public joy and corporate milestone-marking. Today, amid a shifting political landscape and coordinated rollbacks on DEI, Pride has returned to its roots: a deliberate, courageous claim to space. As a communications executive who happens to be a member of the LGBTQ+ community, I view Pride not just as a flag we fly in a given month, but as a framework for protecting people year-round. It is about building lasting infrastructure, from ensuring equitable laws to fostering a greater sense of community. Pride, to me, is no longer just about being seen; it is about being safeguarded.’
Do you view “coming out” at work as a one-time event or a continuous process of navigating professional boundaries? How does a company’s culture influence your decision to be your authentic self?
‘There is an image of my husband and me right on my desk, in plain view for all who walk through my door. This is intentional and it’s personally meaningful. As an openly gay C-suite executive, particularly one at a young age and the only one at my organization, I feel an obligation to set the example of the culture I expect. This helps facilitate a sense of psychological safety for others who identify as part of the LGBTQ+ community in our workplace. There is a Pride flag in my bookcase, visible at every virtual meeting. It’s a gentle reminder that everyone is treated with respect and dignity, regardless of who they are or who they love. This reinforces our shared organizational values and speaks to our mission to serve all who seek mental health treatment and recovery services. Navigating professional boundaries becomes easier when the culture itself is grounded in mutual understanding, respect and acceptance.’
https://www.prweek.com/article/1960677/pride-pr-justin-chenette
Sweetser’s President & CEO Jayne Van Bramer and Chief Communications Officer Justin Chenette recently traveled to Washington, D.C., for Hill Day with the National Council for Mental Wellbeing. As the only Maine provider, they met directly with Senator Angus S. King, Jr., U.S. Senator Susan Collins, and the Chief of Staff for Congresswoman Chellie Pingree to champion critical behavioral health priorities.
Behavioral health is—and must continue to be—a bipartisan area of focus. Ensuring our communities have access to life-saving treatment is a shared responsibility that transcends politics.
Our Key Advocacy Priorities:
🧠 Expanding Access: Advancing the Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) model.
💼 Bolstering the Workforce: Supporting the professionals on the frontlines of care.
✍️ Securing Funding: Pushing for robust, level funding in federal appropriations.
🛡️ Protecting Medicaid: Safeguarding essential coverage for the vulnerable populations we serve.
Thank you to our congressional delegation and their staff for their continued dialogue and commitment to strengthening the mental health safety net in Maine and across the country!
Help us send a message to Congress with these easy action emails on the bills we advocated for:
Expand CCBHC Services – National Council for Mental Wellbeing | Ensuring Excellence in Mental Health Act
Medicare Equity – National Council for Mental Wellbeing | Mental Health Access and Provider Support Act of 2026
Peers – National Council for Mental Wellbeing | PEERS in Medicare Act
Workforce Training – National Council for Mental Wellbeing | Community Mental Wellness Worker Training Act
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.