Residents in Grand Haven are asking more and more questions about the Momentum Center. On their website it states that they are, “A nonprofit grassroots movement to create a stigma-free community.” Yet they receive money through taxpayer funding, have an anti-racism task force, and have hosted Covid-19 vaccine clinics.
The following public comment was given during the April 24, 2023 Community Mental Health of Ottawa County meeting.
“The Momentum Center asserts that it receives funds from the County's Mental Health Millage. It claims that this is a sound financial investment that has resulted in a financial windfall for the county. It makes many emotionally good feeling and remarkable claims. My question is, how much of this is legitimate? I believe the taxpayers are owed an explanation.
The Momentum Center states that it offers social and recreational programs for people with mental illness, addictions, and disabilities. However, it is not a behavioral health agency. It has no clinicians. Its program coordinators do not need to be psychologists or social workers, but must agree to its diversity and equity statement.
The Momentum Center claims that its expenditure of taxpayer funds has created a windfall for the county. What is the proof?
The Momentum Center claims that according to research, community is the most important part of maintaining or regaining health. What research is the Momentum Center relying on? What is the methodology relied upon? How are outcomes measured? How is community defined? Does community for maintaining or regaining mental health require LGBTQ+ affinity groups and town halls on race and racism? If so, based on what evidence?
The Momentum Center claims that it is removing barriers to community by creating a place where everyone is welcome right where they are. What are those barriers? What makes an appropriate place? How is the Momentum Center enabling behavior? Does that involve LGBTQ+ affinity groups and town halls on race and racism?
The Momentum Center claims that its members have statistically significant decreases in depression, anxiety and loneliness. How is this being assessed? Who is making the assessments? Clinicians use assessments to measure depression and anxiety. The Momentum Center has no clinicians. Who and what are the qualifications of the person(s) making these assessments?
The Momentum Center claims that it is saving lives. What is the proof?
The Momentum Center advertises a number of programs. What evidence does it rely on in support of these programs? What data has it collected to measure program progress and effectiveness?
The Momentum Center has a cafe and ice cream parlor to provide social integration. The property tax millage paid over $20,000 for building the ice cream parlor. What evidence does the Momentum Center have to support this as a sound financial investment? What are the health benefits of eating ice cream?
Lately there has been a lot of comment about county expenditures. I believe the county's expenditure of tax payer funds to the Momentum Center should be assessed to determine how much is legitimate and how much is puffery.”