📰SACO-BIDDEFORD | Sweetser & Biddeford+Saco Chamber Partner to Raise Funds for Youth Treatment Facility

By Alex MacPhail, Executive Director BSCC, Contributing Writer

Local Businesses are Stepping up—Who Will Join The Hope Challenge with us?

May 12, 2026, The Biddeford+Saco Chamber of Commerce (BSCC) is proud to partner with Sweetser to launch The Hope Challenge—a community‑wide effort inviting local businesses to support the development of Sweetser’s new Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility (PRTF) for Maine youth.

Promotional Poster

This new PRTF will fill a critical gap in Maine’s behavioral health system by providing 24/7 therapeutic residential treatment for young people who need intensive, structured care. Families across our state are waiting months and years for appropriate placement, and many children are sent out of state for services. Together, we can change that.

Businesses can join The Hope Challenge by:

1. Making a one‑time impactful leadership gift to the PRTF project.

2. Challenging their employees, business partners and customers to participate in fundraising.

3. Standing alongside other local businesses committed to improving youth mental health and strengthening our community.

When joining, Sweetser will provide:

• A customized fundraising page for the business

• Promotional materials to engage their employees

• Regular updates and recognition across Chamber and Sweetser channels

• An invitation to our end‑of‑campaign celebration event

  
  

This is an opportunity for businesses to make a tangible, lasting impact on young lives—and to show everyone they care about mental health in our community.

For More Information:

Email: Jodie Hansen, Director of Development, jhansen@sweetser.org

Remember, we are ALL Stronger+Together!