SACO — Sweetser, a nonprofit mental health organization with locations throughout Maine, has recently been awarded two grants, totaling $800,000 from the Next Generation Foundation, a charitable organization located in Blue Hill, supporting education, health enhancement and basic human needs.

The awards will be used to improve safety and security systems for Sweetser employees and at The School at Sweetser in Saco, as well as for necessary updating to residential units. These grant funds will also be utilized to increase the energy efficiency of many outdated heating and insulation systems at the Saco campus facilities.

Since 1828, Sweetser has been providing mental health services to some of Maine’s most vulnerable populations, and these grants allow the organization to move toward a more efficient operation. Sweetser helps more than 20,000 children, adults and families annually, at locations throughout Maine, providing services addressing substance use issues and mental health concerns, ranging from depression and anxiety to persons with severe mental illness.