The Grand Haven Area Community Foundation has given the Momentum Center 36-weeks of funding to provide mental health related groups to students at Central High School, Spring Lake Alternative Education, and Lakeshore Middle School.
Here are the qualifications for the position.
Notice the degrees and certifications are “preferred”, but not mandatory, despite the fact that the candidates will be “interacting with people who have mental illness, addiction and/or other disabilities.” A certain mindset is required, as one of the qualifications is to have a “social conscience and desire for a more peaceful and just world.” One of the job duties is to develop class materials and curriculum. Another has to do with data collection.
Donors who give to the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation can choose to donate to the GHACF or direct their donations to one of several hundred specific funds. There is a Grand Haven Area Public Schools Mental Health Fund, and also a Spring Lake Schools Foundation Fund. I doubt donors envisioned this is how their money would be spent.
The Momentum Center has been shown to be a political organization that hosts an anti-racism task force and is led by Barbara Lee VanHorssen, who formally took the title of Sex Minister. Now this organization will be facilitating dubious mental health programs for local school children. Providing mental health related groups to students should not be the role of the community foundation, or be a focus of the school system. Many parents in the community do not trust the Momentum Center with our children. The Grand Haven Community Foundation has funded numerous worthwhile causes and has been an asset to the community for decades. Unfortunately, in recent years, some of their grants have funded controversial and divisive initiatives under their “mission of overall community betterment.” If you donate to the Grand Haven Area Community Foundation, please ensure they are using your money wisely.