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September 21, 2025 2025 Giving Guide

Sweetser

Bath-Brunswick Regional Chamber ribbon cutting of our full-service pharmacy at our Brunswick Hope & Healing Center

 

2026 Goals

• Open a new regional Peer Center in Brunswick

• Open a new substance use IOP in Brunswick

• Open new mobile crisis field offices in Oxford and Franklin counties

• Fundraise for and rehab an existing 8,000 square-foot building on our Saco campus to create Maine’s first Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility

Fundraising events/Opportunities

Sweetser holds both large-impact events and community-based events with our corporate partners and supporters to fuel our mission including:

• Jack Chevrolet Golf Classic: a popular charity tournament held each year at Dunegrass in Old Orchard Beach

• Auction & Gala: our largest annual fundraising event held in September at Brick South on Thompson’s Point with live music, hors d’oeuvres, hundreds of silent and live auction items to bid on, and hosted by News Center Maine’s Lee Goldberg

• Smiles for Sweetser Comedy Show: a night of laughs with regional comedians at the Italian Heritage Center with our friends at Binnie Media

• Benefit Concerts: talented local musicians support our mission with performances at venues like Vinegar Hill

• Spring Into Hope Maine Fashion Show: highlights the creative arts while reducing mental health stigma with our friends at WMTW Channel 8.

Giving Opportunities

In addition to event sponsorships, you can help bring Maine children home and give Maine families hope. Sweetser is constructing Maine’s first psychiatric residential treatment facility in Saco. Such a program doesn’t exist in Maine. Currently, over 70 youth are sent out of state to expensive care as far away as Oklahoma, away from their natural supports like family and friends. In addition, Maine’s most at-risk youth are languishing in ERs because of a lack of therapeutic space and treatment options. Together we can develop a solution.You have an opportunity to be part of this great project as a corporate or individual Partner in Hope. Every child deserves access to treatment, support, and hope. FMI contact our Development Director, Jodie Hansen, at (207) 294-4476 or jhansen@sweetser.org. Give hope today.

Volunteer Opportunities

Last year, over 900 volunteer hours were completed by our corporate and civic group partners. Volunteers enhance the quality of life for the Maine children and families we serve at our various campuses. If you’re looking for ways to have a greater impact, you can become a Corporator, join our Development Committee or event-specific committees, or serve on our Board of Directors. Your contribution will be vital in helping us fight mental health stigma and increase access to treatment.

At A Glance

Established: 1828 / Employees: 560 / Annual revenue: $53,300,000

Top funding sources

62% MaineCare

17% Grant funding

9% State agencies and local school districts

8% Private insurance and self-pay

2% Fundraising

1% Endowment return earmarked for operations

1% Other

Contact

50 Moody St.,

Saco, ME 04072

www.Sweetser.org

Awards/Accolades

Sweetser’s President & CEO, Jayne Van Bramer, made the Top Women Leaders of 2025 list by Women We Admire; Sweetser’s Chief HR Officer, Holly Hall, was awarded the 2025 PDS Vista Leadership Award; Sweetser’s Chief Communications Officer, Justin Chenette, was named to Mainebiz’s 40 Under 40 list and the University of Maine at Augusta awarded him a Distinguished Alumni Award

Mission Statement

Sweetser envisions a world where mental health stigma is eliminated and access to treatment and recovery is possible for all. Sweetser is a behavioral health nonprofit that provides evidence-based treatment, support and hope through a statewide network of community-based mental health, recovery, and educational services, serving over 12,000 Maine children, adults, and families.

Service locations

Walk-in Hope & Healing Centers in Brunswick, Sanford, and Lewiston along with statewide coverage of various programs and services.

Leadership

Jayne Van Bramer
President & CEO

Board officers

Jessica A. Demers, Chair, Lawyer

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

William J. Zafirson, Treasurer, Senior Vice President, Chief Lending Officer, Bellwether Community Credit Union

Michele C. Del Tergo, Secretary, Portfolio Manager, Bangor Savings Bank

Board Members

Craig Alie, Retired (Chief Revenue Officer, Computershare)

Anna-Marie DiPasquale, Retired (Social Worker, Concord High School)

Diane H. Donaldson, Senior Vice President, Commercial Banking Team Lender, Bangor Savings Bank

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

Jay McCreight, Retired (Maine Legislature)

Steve McGrath, Retired (CFO, H.A. Mapes Inc.)

Gregory R. Prince, Retired (Account Manager, Franklin Printing)

Brynn Riley, Clinical Quality Director, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield

Dr. Margaret A. Shepp, Retired (Physician)

Ludmila Tutunaru, Retired (CFO, Volunteers of America NNE)