NEWS | Local businesses donate $20k to support state’s first psychiatric residential treatment facility

Saco & Biddeford Savings and Paquin & Carroll Insurance are proud to announce their $20,000 donation to Sweetser in support of the construction of Maine’s first Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility on Sweetser’s Saco campus.

CONTRIBUTED STORY | Saco & Biddeford Savings and Paquin & Carroll Insurance are proud to announce their $20,000 donation to Sweetser in support of the construction of Maine’s first Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility (PRTF) on Sweetser’s Saco campus.​This transformative project will provide secure, 24-hour psychiatric care for Maine’s most at-risk youth, addressing a critical gap in mental health services across the state. ​

Left to Right | Kristie Worster, Chief Program Officer, Sweetser; Justin Chenette, Chief Communications Officer, Sweetser; Meg Palmer, Community Engagement Officer, SBSI; Jayne Van Bramer, President & CEO, Sweetser; Tom Quentin, VP, Finance and Operations, Paquin & Carroll Insurance; Jodie Hansen, Director of Development, Sweetser. | Contributed photo
 

The facility, anticipated to open by early 2027, will feature 16 beds, therapeutic and group settings, outdoor recreation spaces and a trauma-informed environment designed to help youth recover and thrive. ​With over 100 children currently waiting for placement and many being sent out of state for care, this initiative will allow Maine children to receive the support they need closer to home, surrounded by their families and natural support systems.

“At the heart of this is a simple belief: Maine’s kids deserve to be safe, seen and supported, right here at home,” says Mark Jones, CEO of Saco & Biddeford Savings. “Sweetser’s Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility will be a beacon of hope for children and families across our state, and we’re honored to stand with them to help turn fear into healing and uncertainty into a real path forward.”

“At the heart of this is a simple belief:
Maine’s kids deserve to be safe,
seen and supported, right here at home,”

— Mark Jones, CEO, Saco & Biddeford Savings

Donations will help fund critical spaces within the facility, such as therapeutic activity studios and family connection hubs, ensuring that children and their families have access to the resources they need for recovery and reconnection, without having to travel out of state.

“We are incredibly thankful to Saco & Biddeford Savings and Paquin & Carroll Insurance for their longstanding partnership and their support,” says Jayne Van Bramer, Sweetser’s CEO. “Because of Saco & Biddeford Savings and Paquin & Carroll Insurance, we are one step closer to bringing Maine youth home and providing them with the care they need to heal and thrive. Together we are giving Maine families hope.”​

Saco & Biddeford Savings and Paquin & Carroll Insurance encourage other organizations and individuals to join in supporting this life-changing project.

“We’re proud to support Sweetser’s work to expand access to timely, high-quality care for children and families across Maine,” says Josh Fearon, President of Paquin and Carroll Insurance. “Through this partnership, we can build hope and create a brighter future for Maine’s youth.”

“Through this partnership,
we can build hope and
create a brighter future
for Maine’s youth.”

— Josh Fearon, president, Paquin and Carroll Insurance

For more information about Sweetser’s Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility or to learn how you can contribute, visit https://sweetser.ejoinme.org/1949979 or contact Sweetser’s Advancement Team at Giving@Sweetser.org.

ABOUT | Sweetser

 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. MORE INFORMATION

ABOUT | Saco & Biddeford Savings

Founded in 1827, Saco & Biddeford Savings is Maine’s oldest bank. MORE INFORMATION

ABOUT | Paquin & Caroll Insurance:

Founded in 1928, Paquin & Carroll Insurance provides personal, business and financial insurance programs and advice, as well as providing employee benefits throughout Northern New England. MORE INFORMATION

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