Sweetser’s Holiday Gift Tag Program: A Successful Season of Giving

Posted by Jessica Tornatore

The Sweetser Holiday Gift Tag Program wrapped up with joy! Thank you to everyone who donated—your generosity will bring moments of joy to so many this season. Our Sweetser elves had plenty of gifts to wrap thanks to you! 🎁✨

These donations will provide gifts for children in our crisis and residential programs throughout the state. Sweetser has been spreading holiday cheer to kids in residential care since 1828.

Liz Feeny, Andreea Barsan, Karli Griffin, and Brittnie Chase at Systems Engineering with Sara, our Sweetser elf.

GVS North America with Sara, our Sweetser elf.

Sea Dog Brewing Company, Scarborough

Cassie Moon delivering stockings to Sara, our Sweetser elf.

Esther Birkinbine & family delivering stockings to Sara, our Sweetser elf.

Sweetser would like to acknowledge the partners and community members whose collective efforts helped gather toys and brighten the holidays for Mainers in need:
  • Systems Engineering
  • GVS North America
  • Sea Dog Brewing Company in Scarborough
  • Cassie Moon & Friends
  • Esther Birkinbine & Friends
  • Bangor Savings Bank at the Fore Street, Portland location
  • Frankin Printing
  • Idexx
  • North River IV; One & Two Portland Square
  • Our Lady of Hope Parish
  • Plato’s Closet
  • Risk Placement Services
  • Charity Committee and Members of Biddeford Eagles 804

TV Segment: Crisis Services Available During the Holiday Season

Posted by Jessica Tornatore

For many people, the holiday season brings joy, connection, and celebration. But for others, Christmas, Hanukkah, New Year’s, and the weeks surrounding them can intensify stress, loneliness, or emotional struggles. The truth is simple: mental health challenges don’t take a holiday—and neither does receiving help.

Joanne Grant, Sweetser’s Chief Growth Officer, stopped by WMTW Channel 8 to highlight the resources available to Mainers who need support during this time of year, reminding us that hope is always within reach, no matter the date on the calendar.

Watch the full segment to learn more about Sweetser’s Crisis Residential Units:

WPOR 101.9 & Whoopie 100.9 donate holiday cheer to Sweetser kids

Posted by Jessica Tornatore

Every Maine child should be able to enjoy the light of the holiday season. We are grateful to our friends Jon, Joe, and Courtney with 101.0 WPOR, the team at Whoopie 100.9, and their many listeners for supporting the youth we serve at Sweetser.

Every year, they help fulfill the holiday wishes of children in our residential, crisis, and educational programs. They had a little visit at the radio station from our resident Sweetser elf, Justin Chenette.

TV Segment: Coping with Grief & Loss During the Holiday Season

Posted by Jessica Tornatore

The holiday season is often portrayed as a time of joy and celebration, but for many, it can amplify feelings of loss and grief. Sweetser’s Medical Director, Dr. Marc Kaplan, reminds us that these emotions are completely normal—whether the loss happened recently or years ago.

Why Holidays Can Be Hard

  • Absence & Loss: The “empty chair” at the table or missing voice during traditions can feel overwhelming.
  • Emotional & Social Pressure: The expectation to “be merry” doesn’t align with grief’s unpredictable timeline.
  • Sensory & Memory Triggers: Holiday sights, sounds, and smells can unexpectedly reopen old wounds.

Watch the full segment below to learn good coping strategies:

Remember: It’s okay to feel a mix of emotions this season. Give yourself permission to grieve and seek help when needed.

Sweetser helped “Stuff the Bus” for the Lewiston Chamber

Posted by Jessica Tornatore

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 receives Town & Country Federal Credit Union’s Better Neighbor Fund grant

Posted by Jessica Tornatore

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.

Sweetser’s 2025 Annual Meeting & Donor Appreciation

Posted by Jessica Tornatore

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

  • Chris Anania
  • Zach Blanchard
  • Todd Valentine

Reappointment of Directors

  • Anna Marie DiPasquale – 3-year term
  • Diane Donaldson – 3-year term
  • James Nylund – 3-year term
  • Margaret Shepp – 3-year term
  • Jayne Van Bramer – 1 year term

New Directors

  • Robert Davis
  • Daniel Puhlman

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!

TV Segment: Managing Holiday Stress

Posted by Jessica Tornatore

Catch our latest “Mental Health Moment” TV segment on WMTW Channel 8 featuring Kristie Worster, Sweetser’s Chief Program Officer, as she shares practical tips for managing holiday stress. Here are a few key takeaways:

  • Set healthy boundaries with your time, budget, and commitments
  • Give yourself permission to skip traditions or topics that don’t bring you joy
  • Remember, it’s okay to say “no” and prioritize your well-being

Watch the full segment below for more insights and strategies to protect your mental health this season!

Need support? Call Sweetser’s free Peer Support Line 24/7 at 1-866-771-9276.

Sweetser’s Holiday Gift Tag Program is now available through an Amazon registry

Posted by Jessica Tornatore

 

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:

  1. Go to Sweetser’s Amazon registry by clicking the button.
  2. Select the gift(s) you would like to purchase.
  3. Check out.

During checkout please be sure to do the following:

  1. Choose Shipping Address – Select Sara Towle’s Gift Registry Address. This will ensure the item gets to the proper person and department at Sweetser.
  2. Choose Gift Options – Please be sure to add your name and mailing address to the gift message box so that Sweetser can mail you an acknowledgement letter of your purchases for tax purposes.

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!

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WGME Spotlight on ME: Healing the Healers

Posted by Jessica Tornatore

On this Spotlight on ME, WGME’s Adrienne Stein shines a light on the often-overlooked mental health challenges faced by caregivers—counselors, nurses, social workers, and others who dedicate themselves to helping others. Featuring insights from Justin Chenette, Sweetser’s Chief Communications Officer, it emphasizes that self-care isn’t optional; it’s essential. Learn why prioritizing mental health helps professionals combat burnout, prevent physical health issues, and ultimately provide better care. Discover strategies for resilience and well-being in demanding caregiving roles.

Watch the full segment below:

Workshops can be taken individually or as part of a series, and they are often available online for added convenience. Professionals interested in exploring these enrichment opportunities can find the full catalog and register easily by visiting Sweetser.org/training.