Chipping Fore A Cause event was a hole in one

Posted by Liz Smith

Our Chipping Fore A Cause event at the Pine Hollow Little Par 3 Golf in Sanford was a hole in one!

Shout out to our Sweetser Corporators, Denise Labbe & Marise Anagnost, for organizing this wonderful event.

Below are our sponsors and teams that supported our mission:

TOURNAMENT SPONSORS

Partner’s Bank – Hole in One (Hole #13)
Sanford Country Club – Golf Ball Sponsor

TEAM SPONSORS

CA Plante & Sons
Garnsey Brothers
The Law Offices of Jessie Krall
National Distributors
National Distributors
National Distributors
Roy Boyz
Sanford House of Pizza
Sweetser Facilities
Team Boucouvalous
Team Brent O’Gorman
Team Michael Nason
Wolves Social Club
PC Construction
TOURNAMENT SIGN Sponsor
Black-Heald Walker Funeral Home
Brink Chiropractic Clinic
Central Furniture & Appliances
Marc Motors
Sanford Elks Lodge
Sanford Sound
Shaw’s Hardware LLC

Check out some of the highlights below!

TV Segment: Men’s Mental Health Month

Posted by Jessica Tornatore

Men die by suicide at 4 times the rate of women, with these deaths accounting for nearly 80% of all suicides in the US. Men are less likely to seek help, often due to stigma around vulnerability and emotional expression. On the latest segment of WMTW’s Mental Health Moment, we spoke about June being Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month.

Viewpoint Hotel’s first Gala for Mental Health is an unforgettable success

Posted by Liz Smith

We appreciate the entire team at the Viewpoint Hotel in York for their hospitality and efforts in organizing their first Gala for Mental Health!

The night was filled with top-notch food, drinks, and a direct view of the Nubble Lighthouse, all in support of Sweetser’s critical mission. 

If you haven’t been to the Viewpoint, it’s a must-see! Truly a beautiful venue and hotel. Shout out to the following sponsors for fueling this incredible event and our mental health mission:

  • Tapley Insurance
  • Eldredge Lumber
  • Sysco
  • Kennebunk Savings Bank
  • Anchor Real Estate
  • Shoreline Construction
  • Portsmouth Quality Flooring
  • Stephen Carr Property Services

TV Segment: Art Can Be Therapeutic for Students

Posted by Jessica Tornatore

Art can be therapeutic for individuals of any age, but it has particular benefits for youth development and those experiencing emotional or behavioral challenges. Sweetser’s Art Educator Nick Blunier spoke to WMTW Channel 8 about the benefits and how our organization is using art with the students we serve.

Sweetser CEO Shares Mental Health Tips for Employers on Virtual Forum

Posted by Jessica Tornatore

Sweetser’s President & CEO Jayne Van Bramer was recently on the MANP Connects: Put Your Oxygen Mask on First forum, where she spoke about practical ways employers can support the mental health of their employees and cultivate an environment of encouragement, emotional regulation, and growth.

Watch the full panel discussion below:

Portland Pride 2025: A Day of Community

Posted by Jessica Tornatore

On Saturday, Portland lit up with joy, color, and community as thousands gathered to celebrate Portland Pride. The parade burst through Congress Street with energy and excitement, leading to a lively festival at Deering Oaks Park full of music, dancing, and community love. Sweetser staff even got to pose for photos with Slugger – the Portland Sea Dogs’ mascot and Director of Crowd Entertainment!

The fun continued at the festival, where Sweetser was joined by other nonprofits, wellness groups, activist organizations, and local businesses, contributing to the feelings of unity, togetherness, and collective Pride.

Sweetser Hits the Jackpot with Oxford Casino

Posted by Jessica Tornatore

We appreciate everyone who participated in Oxford Casino’s Give for Change promotion during Mental Health Awareness Month! Your coin slips brought in nearly $3,700 to fuel our mental health programs!

Thank you to Oxford Casino for your commitment in Maine communities and helping make mental health accessible to all.

TV Segment: Day Treatment Options for Families

Posted by Jessica Tornatore

On Sweetser’s Saco campus we have day treatment services at our Special Purpose K-12 school, which can provide comprehensive family, individual and group therapy with individualized special education for students needing an out-of-district placement for serious emotional disturbances. Sweetser’s Day Treatment Clinician Jessica Macomber was interviewed by WMTW Channel 8 about the different types of therapy and services we provide families.

Watch the full segment below:

36th Sweetser Golf Classic repeats record-breaking total

Posted by Liz Smith

What an incredible day! Our 36th annual Sweetser / Jack Chevrolet Golf Classic was a resounding success. We matched last year’s record-breaking total of nearly $113,000.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We want to especially acknowledge our presenting sponsor Jack Chevrolet, for their tremendous show of generosity! Ira, and now David Rosenberg and his family, have partnered with Sweetser for over two decades. Their support has never wavered and continues a family tradition of enriching the lives of the communities served by the Rosenberg family’s car dealerships. The late Ira Jack Rosenberg, for whom this tournament is dedicated, was truly a Sweetser champion. Pictured here: Jack Chevrolet General Manager Mike Gibel and Sweetser’s Jayne Van Bramer, Jodie Hansen, and Justin Chenette.

See our fun video recap:

The tournament would not have been successful without our team of dedicated volunteers who brought enthusiasm and bright spirits to the course:

  • Norm Cantara
  • Anna-Marie DiPaquale
  • Julia Donley
  • Karen Dow
  • Danice Heckathorn
  • Lori Lewis
  • Lynn Leland
  • Nina Marsanskis
  • Carol Mundigler
  • Kara Shamsi

We also want to thank our corporate sponsored teams for their strong support of our mission:

  • Jack- Chevrolet (2 teams)
  • Sanford Elks Lodge
  • CGI Business Solutions
  • ATX Advisory
  • Brian Gilbert Associates
  • Casella Waste
  • Domestiks Cleaning Services
  • Jim Godbout Plumbing and Heating
  • Maine Community Bank
  • Patrons Oxford Insurance
  • PM Construction
  • Seacoast Security
  • Strategic Media
  • Weirs Motor Sales
  • Bangor Savings Bank
  • Ben’s Flooring
  • Bergen & Parkinson
  • Biddeford Saco Old Orchard Beach Transit (BSOOB Transit)
  • Dunham Group
  • Franklin Printing
  • Sunlife / Fullscope RMS (2 teams)
  • HM Payson (2 teams)
  • Horch Roofing
  • KeyBank
  • Lincoln Financial Group
  • Northeast Delta Dental
  • PeoplesChoice Credit Union
  • Ray Labbe & Sons, Inc.
  • Systems Engineering
  • Toyota Financial Services
  • W. B. Mason

We are beyond grateful for each of you. Your support not only made this tournament possible but also strengthened our community. Thank you for being the driving force behind this success!

Check out our photo slideshow of our awesome teams…

 

Sweetser’s CEO on Mainebiz Health Care Panel

Posted by Liz Smith

Sweetser’s President & CEO Jayne Van Bramer was honored to be a panelist at this year’s Mainebiz Health Care Forum in Freeport that brought together business, HR, and mental health leaders to discuss how employers can work to promote employee health and safety. Sweetser joined with fellow panelists from: MEMIC, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield, Systems Engineering, and SoulBeing. The forum was moderated by Kim Anania, President & CEO at KMA Human Resources Consulting. The topic? “Workplace Safety, Wellness, and Mental Health: The Business Role in Supporting Employee Well-Being.”