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What is The Momentum Center?
"The Momentum Center for Social Engagement is a social and recreational program. There is an adult and teen program. The adult program focuses on mental health, disabilities, and addictions. The teen program focuses on positive relationships, mental health, success in school, and overall well-being."

"The Momentum Center regularly organizes discussions, presentations, movie nights, and meetings about the issues affecting our community. These conversations are spaces for reflection, support, planning, and action. Topics center on social justice and human rights, particularly around marginalized and disenfranchised populations. Learn more about our town hall meetings and Inspire! events."

Mission: "The Momentum Center is pursuing a world where everyone is fully visible and connected. "
– Momentum Center website

2022 Sizzle Reel: https://youtu.be/lIacFCwAQJw

Locations: Grand Haven & Holland, MI

Story:
The Momentum Center for Social Engagement is a community space where everyone is welcome and valued. I go to The Momentum Center to smile and laugh, talk and collaborate with others, meet new people, play games, and have opportunities I wouldn't otherwise have available to me. Their community conversations and trainings are a safe space to learn new things, discuss controversial topics, and come up with solutions to real-world problems. The Momentum Center is a second home to me. Their first location in Grand Haven opened five years ago and since then, they have grown to over 200 adult members, expanded teen programming and affinity groups, hosted trainings (Narcan, DEI, MBS, and more), held Town Hall Meetings and other community conversations, and collaborated with local nonprofits, corporations, festivals, and other organizations to push for a stigma-free community against mental health, disabilities, and addictions.

The Momentum Center has data to back up what they're doing with member reporting surveys every 6 months to a year that have shown members with high engagement have a statistically lower rate of anxiety and depression. With significant increases in anxiety and depression due to the COVID-19 pandemic, The Momentum Center adapted and offered virtual programming for members via their website and a Facebook group where volunteers played games, hosted live chats, made crafts, and more online for members to access anytime. All member activities are optional (even now) and membership is only $1 a year (very affordable). With that $1, they still have access to online programming, in-person programming at our Grand Haven or Holland site, and outings to local activities that are beyond most members' financial ability.

The Momentum Center's signature event and fundraiser: Prom with a Purpose is held in May every year and is a celebration for members, volunteers, donors, staff, supporters, sponsors, and more! If you missed your Prom, here is your chance to go to a Prom where tickets are only $25 and include dinner, dancing, a cash bar, a silent auction, and more! It is most members' favorite event of the year as it is their celebration, but also allows social integration of everyone involved with The Momentum Center.

For more information visit: https://www.momentumcentergh.org/