📰SACO | "HOPE is Coming" | Groundbreaking for First Youth Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility

By Joshua Wolfe, Biddeford Buzz, Contributing Writer

“In addition to offering residential living space, the facility will include activity rooms, sensory spaces, a nurse's station, and a basketball court. “

June 26, 2026, Yesterday, Sweetser hosted a groundbreaking ceremony in Saco to officially mark the start of construction on Maine’s very first Youth Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility (PRTF) - a facility that according to several elected officials and local business leaders, marks a major milestone for not just Sweetser, but the entire state of Maine.

Justin Chenette, Sweetser’s Chief Communications Officer, kicked off the ceremony welcoming attendees by stating, “HOPE is finally coming to Maine families.”

Chenette went on expressing, “Every groundbreaking ceremony marks a transition from what is possible to what is permanent… Together, we are establishing a permanent foundation of support for families… This building behind us will stand as a very tangible reminder that no one in our state, no Maine family, has to carry the weight of mental health challenges alone.”

The first of its kind in Maine facility located on the Sweetser Saco Campus at 50 Moody Street, Saco, ME, is a 8,000-square-foot center that once completed, will offer 24-hour psychiatric care for Maine's most at-risk children and teens. 

In addition to offering residential living space, the facility will include activity rooms, sensory spaces, a nurse's station, and a basketball court.

From the podium, Jayne Van Bramer, Sweetser President and CEO remarked, “This groundbreaking marks the beginning of something much larger than a building. It represents a commitment by our state, our community, and our partners to children and families facing some of life's most difficult challenges. It represents our belief that every child deserves access to care, healing, and the opportunity to thrive”.

Notably in attendance at the ceremony were Governor Janet Mills, DHHS Commissioner Sara Gagné-Holmes and Deb Poulin from the Office of Behavioral Health, Assistant Majority Leader Lori Gramlich, HHS Committee Co-Chairs: Sen. Henry Ingwersen & Rep. Michele Meyer, and HHS Committee members Rep. Graham & Rep. Copeland.

Also present were representatives from the office of Senator Susan Collins.

During the ceremony, Sweetser leadership acknowledged the following community partners for their contributions towards the construction of the new facility: Maine Health, Unum, Systems Engineering, Central Maine Power, CGI, Saco Biddeford Savings, Paquin & Carroll Insurance, Clark Insurance, Mascoma Bank, and Strategic Media.

Worth noting, Maine Community Bank received special recognition for making a particularly large contribution of $100,00 - a contribution that secured them the “naming rights” of the facility.

According to Chenette, the project costs $7.9 million total to complete. Governor Mills and the Legislature secured $5.4 million to help build the treatment facility, leaving a $2.5 million deficit for the organization to raise independently.

I've made behavioral health care one of my top priorities, and I'm proud to have worked with the Legislature and Sweetser to build a new treatment facility to address this urgent need and make sure fewer Maine youth don't have to leave their communities to get the treatment they need”, said Governor Mills while addressing attendees.

When discussing the funding deficit, Chenette optimistically expressed, “through the generosity of the communities served, caring individuals, and dedicated corporate partners… Sweetser has launched our Build Hope Capital Campaign to meet this moment and I’m proud to report that we have raised over $500,000 so far towards our goal.”

Following the presentations, attendees were treated to lunch and offered tours of the new facility and existing Saco Sweetser Campus.

Construction for the new facility is set to begin in July with a completion date in early 2027.

To learn more about the new facility and how you can donate, please visit www.sweetser.org/buildhope.

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. Sweetser serves over 12,000 children, adults, and families each year.

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