Sweetser

The Lewiston Auburn Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce recently stopped by our Lewiston Hope & Healing Center to say thank you and give appreciation for our amazing team for the important work they do every single day for the area. We are proud chamber members! 💐

Sweetser's crisis leaders recently traveled to Atlanta, Georgia, for CrisisCon26, an exciting opportunity to connect with fellow behavioral health professionals, exchange ideas, and explore innovative strategies to strengthen crisis services here in Maine! Representing Sweetser were Doug Weaver, Director of Clinical Adult Residential; Joanne Grant, Chief Growth Officer; and Elise Chase, Director of Crisis Services. Beyond the conference sessions, our team enjoyed dinner with fellow crisis provider The Opportunity Alliance, strengthening their partnership and collaboration while having some fun along the way! And of course, one of the biggest highlights of the trip? The therapy dogs! 🐶 A wonderful reminder of the comfort and connection our four-legged friends can bring to mental health and wellness. We're grateful for opportunities like CrisisCon that inspire new ideas, foster meaningful partnerships, and help us continue advancing crisis care for Mainers across the state!

Our team has been busy getting out into our communities, sharing mental health resources, building connections, and spreading hope! Here's a look at some of the recent events we've been proud to be part of: 🍂 Taste the Harvest | Lewiston Good food, great music, and even better company! This lively fall celebration hosted by the Lewiston Auburn Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce brought the community together, and we enjoyed connecting with attendees while sharing information about Sweetser's services. 🤝 Community Resource Fair | Sanford Building stronger communities starts with building relationships! Team members from Sweetser's Sanford Hope & Healing Center and our OPTIONS team were on hand to connect with community members and local organizations, share valuable resources, and strengthen partnerships that support the health and well-being of our communities. 🌟 Rally for Recovery | Lewiston A celebration of hope, healing, and connection! We joined community members and organizations to recognize the power of recovery and remind everyone that recovery is possible and no one has to navigate it alone. 🎨 Vibe Check Day | Thomas College Mental health awareness meets creativity! We invited students to take a break, express themselves, and contribute to collaborative coloring murals while encouraging conversations around mental health and well-being. A huge thank you to the organizers of these events for welcoming Sweetser, and to our amazing staff who continue to represent our mission across Maine!

🍻 Cheers to Barreled Souls Brewing Company for supporting Sweetser! Following our annual Battle for the Brook Softball Tournament, Barreled Souls hosted a Happy Hour to keep the fun—and the fundraising—going! Pictured here are owner Chris Schofield and Sweetser's Liz Smith. A huge thank you to the Barreled Souls team for generously raising funds to support Sweetser’s mission, and to everyone who joined us for a drink and helped make the event a success.

Meet our featured comedians for our 2nd annual Smiles for Sweetser Comedy Show: 😂Jody Sloane: Growing up, Sloane had a knack for finding humor in the darkest corners of life. Whether it was the absurdity of a government cheese sculpture or the quirks of her mother’s self-medicating with Winston’s and Ring Dings, nothing was off-limits for her infectious laughter-inducing commentary. Her friends quickly learned that any situation could become a comedy goldmine with her around. 😂Mark Turcotte: A lifelong New Englander, Turcotte mines marriage, fatherhood, curiosity, and a steady stream of personal misfortunes for his comedy. The founder of Maine Event Comedy and the Bricks & Bridges Comedy Fest, he has performed in New York City, competed as a finalist for Funniest Comic on the East Coast, and even helped facilitate a marriage proposal during a show. 😂Jolanda Logan: Performing throughout New England, Logan brings upbeat observational humor, quick wit, and infectious energy to every stage. Drawing from marriage, motherhood, and the absurdities of everyday life, she mixes feel-good comedy with just enough unfiltered honesty to keep audiences laughing from the opening line to the final punchline. 😂Leonard Kimble: Originally from Chicago and now living in Auburn, Maine, Kimble finds comedy in family life, awkward conversations with his wife, and the everyday absurdities of raising two kids alongside a cat he never wanted. By day, he works in IT on things most people would rather not understand. By night, he turns basement-written observations into laughs on stages across Maine and beyond. The Smiles for Sweetser Comedy Show is happening Friday, October 23rd at 7pm at the Portland Italian Heritage Center. Grab your tickets today at www.ComedyTickets.org 🎟️

🎤 Laughter is good for our well-being and a great way to support Maine families. 😂 Join us for the Smiles for Sweetser Comedy Show on Friday, October 23, at Portland’s Italian Heritage Center! Four powerhouse comedians—Jody Sloane, Leonard Kimble, Jolanda Logan, and Mark Turcotte—will take the stage for a night of laughs, connection, and community. Every laugh helps Sweetser bring hope to Maine families. 🩵 Get your tickets at ComedyTickets.org!

Sweetser's Chief Growth Officer, Joanne Grant, as well as Affiliates Program Manager, Jan Dubois, recently attended the Maine Mental Health Counselors Association (MEMHCA) annual conference, connecting with clinicians from across the state and sharing opportunities to join Sweetser’s Affiliate Network. Joanne and Jan enjoyed meeting with professionals interested in learning more and building connections with potential future Sweetser affiliates! Learn more about the benefits of joining our network of independent providers: https://lnkd.in/emz9UBeP.

A big THANK YOU to Pizza By Alex for serving up some hope for Sweetser! 🍕 We’re so grateful to Pizza by Alex in Biddeford for hosting this special fundraiser in support of Sweetser and our mission to provide hope and healing to children, adults, and families across Maine. And thank you to everyone who stopped by, grabbed a pizza, and supported Sweetser! Your participation helps make a meaningful difference in our communities.

Talking can open the door to hope. At Sweetser, hope becomes action. We encourage you to check in with someone, start a conversation, and remind those around you that they are never alone. Because a conversation can lead to connection. Connection can lead to support. And support can change a life. Check out our latest NEWS CENTER Maine Let's Talk About It PSA featuring our President & CEO Jayne Van Bramer...

This #WorldMentalHealthDay, let's make room for honest conversations, check in on one another, and work toward a world where everyone can access the mental health care they need. You deserve support, You deserve care.