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Sponsored by: Sweetser
Updated: September 27, 2021 2021 Giving Guide

Sweetser

2022 Goals

Sweetser is a nonprofit community mental health provider with a statewide network of care. Primary goals are:

  • Offering community-based treatment and support for individuals experiencing emotional disturbance, mental illness, behavioral disorder, and/or substance use
  • Launch Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) in Midcoast Maine.
  • Support the state of Maine as a partner in the OPTIONS (Overdose Prevention Through Intensive Outreach Naloxone and Safety) Initiative.
  • Providing quick access to care (1-800-434-3000)
  • Promoting 24/7 crisis services (1-888-568-1112)
  • Promoting 24/7 access to warm line services (1-866-771-9276)
  • Offering Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) support for communities processing traumatic events.
  • Ensuring quality residential care for children guided by the principles of Cornell University’s Children and Residential Experiences (CARE).
  • Providing quality residential services for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
  • Offering evidence-based treatment for people of all ages and genders through the New England Eating Disorders program at Sweetser.
  • Championing community mental health system in Maine as a practical alternative to more costly alternatives
  • Providing access to necessary services (free and reduced fee) for individuals who are uninsured or underinsured.

Fundraising Events / Opportunities

Sweetser has three major fundraising events with sponsorship opportunities for business participation and donor support. Learn more about each event at sweetser.org:

  • The Sweetser/KeyBank Sold on Kids Auction is Sweetser’s largest fundraising event.
  • The Sweetser/Prime Automotive Group Golf Classic is held at Dunegrass Golf Club in Old Orchard Beach. This is one of the most popular tournaments in Maine and sells out with 37 teams, so reserve your team early.
  • Sweetser Cycle or Stroll for Suicide Prevention has two options to participate. Walk or ride virtually in your own community or join us starting on our Saco campus which runs along the Eastern Trail. Cycle 2, 8, or 14 miles, or walk three miles. Children 12 and under participate for free.

Giving Opportunities

Businesses and individuals can support Sweetser’s annual organizational appeal or donate towards special fundraising events that benefit Sweetser clients through our statewide network of care. There are several ways to give, including the following:

  • Unrestricted donations and employer matching gifts
  • Endowment donations
  • Gifts of securities
  • Event sponsorships
  • Gifts of products or services to support clients and the work of our programs
  • Holiday gift program donations for people in residential care
  • Planned gifts
  • Business percent of sale events

For more information on how you can support Sweetser, please contact Todd Henry, development director, at (207) 294-4484 or thenry@sweetser.org.

Volunteer Opportunities

We are looking forward to safely bringing back volunteers where possible dependent on the COVID-19 situation. Essential to Sweetser’s work, individual and business volunteers add life experience, diverse interests and unique abilities to extend our network of care including: one-day volunteer activities for organizations to paint, landscape or other large projects; administrative or office support; activity leaders; spending one-to-two hours per week sharing hobbies and interests in residential settings; classroom assistants; a volunteer-led peer group; and volunteers for special fundraising events. Also, Sweetser has a variety of intern opportunities in areas ranging from clinical, residential, development and training. It’s also a great way to gain educational career experience. Contact Volunteer Manager Sue Asselin Hawthorne shawthorne@sweetser.org.

Leadership

Jessica A. Demers, Board Chair: Attorney, Jessica A. Demers, Esq.
Dr. Margaret A. Shepp, Board Vice Chair Retired Physician (Maine Medical Center), Retired

Board officers

William J. Zafirson, Board Secretary: Senior Vice President/Chief Lending Officer, Bellwether Community Credit Union

Michele C. Del Tergo, Board Treasurer: Senior Vice President/Senior Portfolio Manager, Bangor Savings Bank


Board Members

Diane H. Donaldson: Senior Vice President/Commercial Lending, Bangor Savings Bank

Jayne Crosby Giles: Consultant/Owner, Giles Consulting

Michelle R. LaChapelle: Director of Engineering; Product, Strategy, & Compliance, Liberty Mutual

Dr. Robert A. Lobis: Retired Psychiatrist, Retired

James A. Nylund: Partner/Vice President, GoodNylund Wealth Management of Steward Partners

Brenda A. Piecuch: Vice President of Compliance, PeoplesChoice Credit Union

Gregory R. Prince: Account Manager, Franklin Printing

Melissa R. Richter: Real Estate Broker, Real Estate Performance Group – Keller Williams

Brynn K. Riley: Program Director – Clinical Quality, Anthem

Patricia A. Small: Education & Volunteerism, Retired

Ludmila M. Tutunaru: Retired CFO, Volunteers of America NNE

At a Glance:

Established: 1828
Employees: 769
Annual revenue: $59,500,000

Top funding sources

66% MaineCare
16% State of Maine(DHHS/DOE)
8% Private Insurance
4% Local school districts
4% Investment income, fundraising and miscellaneous
3% Medicare

Contact

50 Moody St.,
Saco, ME 04072
1-800-434-3000

https://www.sweetser.org
https://www.facebook.com/sweetsermentalhealth
https://www.instagram.com/sweetsermentalhealth
https://www.linkedin.com/company/sweetser
https://www.twitter.com/sweetsermaine

Mission Statement

Sweetser’s mission is to provide quality treatment, support and hope to children, families and adults through a network of mental and behavioral health, developmental, and educational services.

Service locations

State of Maine

Awards / Accolades

June 2021: The Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation awarded $25,000 to Sweetser’s Special Purpose Private Schools in Belfast and Saco for a Curriculum Enrichment Project.
February 2021: The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) awarded $2.9 million to Sweetser to develop a Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinic (CCBHC) to expand services in Midcoast Maine: Sagadahoc, northern coastal Cumberland County, and parts of Lincoln and Androscoggin counties.
January 2020: Sweetser’s outcomes and efforts were recognized in an article on the national Zero Suicide website.
February 2020: Sweetser achieved successful reaccreditation from the national Council on Accreditation.
September 2019: Sweetser was recognized by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) as a TCPI (Transforming Clinical Practice Initiative) Exemplary Practice as part of the Northern New England Practice Transformation Network (NNEPTN) team.
June 2019: the Choose To Be Healthy Coalition at York Hospital recognized Sweetser Clinical Director Maggie Norbert with the Apple Award for Excellence in Community Health and Collaboration.
May 2019: National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) presented Sweetser Director of Crisis & Adult Residential Services Danielle Parent, JD, LCSW, CSP, with the Mental Health Leadership Award at the 4th Annual NAMI Mental Health and Law Enforcement Recognition Banquet.
February 2019: United Way of York County awarded a two-year community investment grant totaling $24,300 to support underinsured and uninsured children and their families in York County.