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Sponsored by: Sweetser
Updated: September 28, 2020 2020 Giving Guide

Sweetser

2021 Goals

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

  • Offering a broad array of community-based treatment and support for individuals experiencing emotional disturbance, mental illness, behavioral disorder, and/or substance use to regain their sense of self.
  • 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.
  • Recognizing and championing the strength of the community mental health system in Maine as a practical alternative to more costly alternatives, such as emergency rooms, inpatient hospital care and jails.
  • 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 that provide sponsorship opportunities for business participation and donor support. Learn more about each event at sweetser.org:

  • The Sweetser/KeyBank “Sold on Kids” Auction & Dinner is held at the Portland Sheraton at Sable Oaks in South Portland. Over 400 guests attend our largest fundraising event.
  • The Sweetser/Prime Motor Group Golf Classic is held at the Dunegrass Golf Club in Old Orchard Beach. This popular tournament includes 37 teams and sells out, so reserve teams early.
  • Sweetser/Harvard Pilgrim Cycle or Stroll for Suicide Prevention begins at the Sweetser campus in Saco and is held on the Eastern Trail. Cycle for 2, 8 or 14 miles, or walk for 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
  • 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

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; mentors who commit to regular visits, developing a positive, supportive relationship with a child; and volunteers for special fundraising events. In the past year, volunteers made and contributed face coverings for use by clients and staff. Also, Sweetser has a variety of intern opportunities many 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

Debra D. Taylor, President and CEO
Patricia A. Small, Board Chair: Retired, Educator

Board officers

Brynn K. Riley, Board Vice Chair: Clinical Quality Program Director, Anthem

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

Michele C. Del Tergo, Board Treasurer: SVP, Senior Portfolio Manager, Bangor Savings Bank


Board Members

Jessica A. Demers

Diane H. Donaldson

Jayne Crosby Giles

Michelle R. LaChapelle

Dr. Robert A. Lobis

James A. Nylund

Brenda A. Piecuch

Gregory R. Prince

Melissa R. Richter

Dr. Margaret A. Shepp

Debra D. Taylor

Mary E. Turgeon

Ludmila M. Tutunaru

Douglas A. Willett

At A Glance

Established: 1828
Employees: 757
Annual revenue: $72,188,042

Top funding sources

67% MaineCare
13% State of Maine (DHHS/DOE)
7% Investment income, fundraising and miscellaneous
7% Private Insurance
3% Local school districts
3% Medicare

Contact

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

sweetser.org
facebook.com/sweetsermentalhealth
instagram.com/sweetsermentalhealth
linkedin.com/sweetser
twitter.com/sweetsermaine

Awards/Accolades

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.

October 2018: Sweetser was named a partner in a two-year grant awarded by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMSHA) to Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention. The grant provides training for clinicians throughout the state in cognitive suicide prevention.

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