Sweetser and ABC’s WMTW Channel 8 are joining forces to reduce stigma around seeking mental health treatment and educating the public around available resources.
Each week, a Sweetser representative will be featured live on-air during their Friday Noon newscast. This will be great exposure for us as an organization. We kicked things off with discussing youth mental health. Watch below…
Sweetser is excited to join the Lewiston Auburn Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce as a new member. Pictured here President & CEO Jayne Van Bramer & Senior Director of Public Relations & Advancement Justin Chenette.
The 2023 Ruel Ricker Country Fair Day on the Saco Campus was a success! Great weather, great volunteers and great fun for the kids.
Each year the event is held in honor of Ruel Ricker, the first farm manager at Ricker Farm. During the annual event, kids at the Saco School play games, win prizes and enjoy a BBQ during the event.
Sweetser staff and board members volunteered at the event.
Sweetser recently welcomed a new addition to its leadership team.
Joanne Grant has joined as the Chief Growth Officer, bringing over 20 years of experience in both administrative and clinical leadership positions in Maine to the role. Joanne began her clinical journey serving youth in a treatment program at the Maine Youth Center and grew into various leadership positions, including the Director of Residential Services. She has had a private practice as well. Most recently, Joanne served as the Director of Substance Use Treatment Program Operations for Maine Behavioral Health, overseeing administrative and clinical operations. She has an undergraduate degree in rehabilitation services with a specialty in substance use counseling from UMF and a master’s degree in clinical mental health counseling from USM. Joanne also has specialized training in clinical supervision and has several certifications in Evidenced Based Practice including: 7 Challenges, Aggression Replacement Training, Moral Reconation Therapy, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and Motivational Interviewing. She is a member of the board of professional counselors for the State of Maine. Joanne enjoys hiking, camping, and pickle ball. She has two daughters—both in college studying nursing—so she now spends most of her time with her German Shepherd dogs, Charlie and Grayson.
Pictured: Sweetser’s Senior Director of Public Relations & Advancement Justin Chenette with Roxi Suger (far right) and two of her Biddeford team members.
Thank you to everyone who participated in our recent fundraisers with ANGELROX and Suger, based in Biddeford!
Together we raised $2,000 for Sweetser. We deeply appreciate owner Roxi Suger for all the creative and charitable spirit she brings to Southern Maine.
We are excited to partner with our friends at Casco Bay Ford in Yarmouth all this month to support youth mental health. For every vehicle sold during the month of September, Casco Bay Ford will donate $100 to Sweetser! If you are in the market for a new, used, or commercial vehicle, make it Casco Bay Ford all month long.
As students head back to school, Sweetser school-based clinician Shelby Petersen and former student client Demetrious Ridley talk with WMTW about the importance of reaching youth early with preventative mental health services.
Watch the video:
Pictured: Saco Mayor Bill Doyle, Senator Donna Bailey, Sweetser President & CEO Jayne Van Bramer, Commissioner Justin Chenette, Saco Deputy Mayor Jodi MacPhail
Our first Scoop for Sweetser event was a huge success.
Thank you to The Saco Scoop for hosting this charity event and a big shout to all the celebrity scoopers for their commitment to mental health. We had the Saco Mayor, Deputy Mayor, and the entire Saco legislative delegation scooping for us.
It was wonderful seeing so many community members and Sweetser staff out to support our mission.
Our friends at Sugar have organized three fundraisers all benefiting Sweetser’s behavioral health programs!
1st is the Suger Shindig at The Lincoln Collective in Biddeford Thursday August 31st from 6-9pm. Enjoy a one night only exclusive exhibit from Suger’s Museum of Tiny Design featuring a classic RV Campsite with all the fixins! Yum Batson apps for all and a cash bar. Tickets available online at https://angelrox.com/products/suger-shindig?variant=40511752798290.
2nd is Suger’s Tiny Design Museum Barbie Bash Friday September 1st at Encounters Exhibit at Maine Studio Works in Portland. 7pm and dance til’ you’re done! Immerse yourself in Barbieworld and Kendom. $25 Tickets can be purchased at the door.
And 3rd on Labor Day weekend 9/1-9/3 Friday – Sunday individuals can save 10% on all clothing in both Biddeford & Portland stores and online and they will also donate 10% of all sales to Sweetser in support of mental health by using the code ‘SWEETSER’. Biddeford store is located at 5 Washington St and the Portland store is located at 271 Commercial Street. Online sales available at https://angelrox.com.
Newscenter Maine Story: ‘Sweetser has increased services at its CCBHC, which is a clinic that offers treatment for both mental health and substance use. The clinic currently serves around 600 people, but with the help of the grant, it could serve up to 200 more every year for the next four years, according to the CCBHC’s Clinical Director, Joey Rossignol.’