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.
Join us at Portland Pie Company at their Biddeford location on Wednesday, June 24th for a delicious way to support Sweetser during their Dine to Donate event! 10% of all dine-in and takeout sales will benefit Sweetser — just mention Sweetser at checkout to make your meal count.
Bring your friends, grab a slice, and help make a difference in our community!
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
In recognition of Pride Month, Sweetser and WMTW are highlighting the serious mental health challenges impacting LGBTQ+ youth today. In this Mental Health Moment, Sweetser spokesperson Justin Chenette breaks down eye-opening new data, explores the impact of today’s social climate, and shares how acceptance can truly save lives. Plus, learn about vital resources like 988 and The Trevor Project—and why no one has to face this journey alone.
We’d like to thank Pizza By Alex for hosting a recent community night for Sweetser.
Pictured alongside our Director of Development, Jodie Hansen, are Chris Rowe and Craig Cote.
Join the Sanford Elks for a fun and meaningful day on the course to benefit mental health and recovery. Chipping Fore a Cause is a charity golf event at Pine Hollow Par 3 in Sanford, bringing the community together to support vital services. Proceeds benefit Sweetser, providing hope, healing, and critical care to children, adults, and families across Maine.
The day features complimentary beverage stations, a post-tournament awards ceremony and cookout, and automatic entry into hole-in-one and closest-to-the-pin contests. Players can also purchase 50/50 and raffle tickets, with team prizes for 1st and 2nd place.
Click here to learn more or to register.
View the 2025 Tournament Recap:
New data shows youth suicide deaths dropped 11% nationwide after the launch of 988—but what’s really driving the progress? On this WMTW Mental Health Moment, Sweetser’s Kristie Worcester breaks down how the 988 Crisis Lifeline is helping—especially with text and chat support—while also highlighting the ongoing challenges facing Maine’s youth, from long waitlists to limited access to care. Encouraging signs, but the work isn’t done.
If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, please reach out to the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988.
Recently, volunteers from PROPEL beautified Sweetser’s Saco Brick Building! The Brick Building located on our Saco Campus dates back to 1828. PROPEL is a group that unites Greater Portland’s young professionals, businesses, and community organizations.
We’re grateful to PROPEL for spending a day volunteering with us, and we appreciate their hard work.
If you or your team is interested in volunteering, you can click here for more information.
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.