Sweetser

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

Description:
Founded in 1828, Sweetser provides Maine's most comprehensive network of behavioral healthcare for adults, children and families. A private and nationally-accredited nonprofit, we offer community-based, educational, residential and in-home services to those seeking treatment, support and hope from Kittery to Belfast and beyond. Working in more than 70 communities and schools, Sweetser maintains a respected medical team, the state's largest school for students with special needs, nearly 30 residences for children and adults, a training institute and campuses in Saco, Belfast and Plymouth. More than 900 employees and 500 volunteers are committed to our vision of helping people find promising futures.

History:
With a history dating to 1828, Sweetser evolved from the joining of local orphanages: Children's Home of Portland, the Belfast-based Children's Aid Society of Maine, Maine Home for Boys and the original Sweetser Home for Boys in Saco. As orphanages declined, community-based care of special needs children grew, and with it, the need to address the psychological needs of children. By the early 1960's Sweetser Children's Home, as it was known, focused on providing residential services to children with severe emotional or behavioral problems or learning disabilities. Of course, children become adults, and Sweetser changed to meet their needs as well. At the close of the 20th century, Sweetser merged with two of Maine's most respected mental health agencies: The Family Institute of Maine and Shoreline Community Mental Health Services. Today, Sweetser is Maine's most comprehensive behavioral healthcare organization dedicated to serving children, adults and families.

Contact people:

Linda Danielson, Manager Of Volunteer Services, (phone), (email) Sara Towle, Development Office Coordinator, (phone), (email)

Office fax number: (207) 373-3109

Address:

50 Moody Street Saco, ME 04072 (See a map)

Web Site: http://www.sweetser.org

Last updated on April 17, 2009