Grand Haven, MI (WGHN) – The Momentum Center in Grand Haven will host its first town hall of the year in its newly renovated meeting center at 401 N. 7th Street. Staff, volunteers, and members will serve refreshments this Thursday, January 30 from 6-8:30 p.m. It’s a town hall on mental health and politics.
Barbara Lee VanHorssen, Experi-Mentor at the Momentum Center spoke at the Ottawa County Board of Commissioners meeting on January 28.
Presentations by six panelists who have studied the effects of political discord on mental health will begin the program. Panelist Dr. James Dumerauf, psychiatrist, suggests: “Catastrophic thinking is one way in which we attempt to ‘cope ahead.’ It is important to realize this is not our healthiest option.” Hope College Professor Emerita Dr. Deirdre Johnston adds: “…we must engage in conversation…. If we do not speak with civility, we will not be heard. If we do not listen, we will not understand.”
Dr. Deirdre Johnston, is Professor Emerita of Communication and former Associate Dean of Global Education at Hope College, Holland, MI. In addition to speaking, she has been instrumental in planning this community conversation. Through her consulting business, “Intergroup Dialogue Connections,” she provides training in dialogue, civility, and diversity education for educational and corporate organizations. While at Hope, she worked to create both the Peace and Justice Studies minor, and the Global Health major and minor.
Along with Dr. Dumerauf and Dr. Johnston, the panelists and topics are as follows: Dr. Pat Roehling, retired, “Impact on Relationships”; Dr. Marrisa Doshi, Hope College, “Role of Social Media”; Dr. Fred Johnson, Hope College, “Lessons from History”; and Lupita Reyes, LMSW, Lars Counseling, “Current Immigration Climate.”
After panel presentations, a Q & A period will follow. The audience with then break into community small groups to continue conversations. Small groups will return to large-group conversations to share observations, revelations, and hopes for conversations in 2025.The evening will conclude at 8:30 p.m.
The Town Hall meeting is not a political gathering or a campaign opportunity. It is free to the community, but guests are asked to register at this website: https://www.momentumcentergh.org/townhall-politics.
Barbara Lee VanHorssen, Experi-Mentor at the Momentum Center, shares, “We are looking forward to resuming community conversations and town halls now that we are in our new location and can accommodate larger groups. We intend to make this a whole series of Town Halls on Mental Health with future topics to include Religion, Housing, Money, and Youth.”
For questions about this event or the Momentum Center, contact Jenna or Barbara at 616-414-9111 or at wwwmomentumcentergh.org. The Momentum Center, a non-profit with locations in Grand Haven and Holland, is creating a community where every person is fully visible and connected
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