Grassroots Empowerment Project Inc (GEP) is the only state-wide non-profit organization that is controlled and directedby mental health consumers.  100% of the Board of Directors and staff are persons with mental illness.  We are funded by the State of Wisconsin- Department of Health and Family Services, Bureau of Community Mental Health.  With the $450,000 we received from DHFS and additional donations in 2006 we were able to:

• Fund 13 mental health consumer run organizations throughout the state of Wisconsin that provided peer support  such as:  support groups, non-crisis phone line services, community presentations on mental health, consultation to state and local mental health committee’s, formal and informal education seminars, social activities and participating in community events. All services were provided by mental health consumers.  Consumer run services:

• Provided 15,986 hours direct services to 3,071 consumers
• Provided information and assistance to 2,636 people (consumers and non-consumers)
• Published  74 newsletters for 3,116 readers
• Provided 103 community presentations to 3,219 people
• Provided volunteer opportunities for 233 people who worked 17,655 hours

• Provide training and technical assistance to those organization to
assure their success

• Hold an annual consumer conference - a 2 day educational opportunity by consumers for consumers with over 150 participants

• Send out  newsletters to over 1,800 people in Wisconsin

• Hold an annual Empowerment Days- a 2 1/2 day event to support 100 mental health consumers visiting legislators and other policy makers at the State Capitol
in Madison.

• Participate in policy making committees at the state level on issues important to people with mental illness such as: Recovery Taskforce, Governors Council on Mental Health, Legislative and Policy Committee, Mental Health Redesign Demonstration Project, Comprehensive Community Services Workgroup WI United for Mental Health

For more information on Grassroots Empowerment Project or any mental health related issues contact:   
Molly Cisco- Executive Director 800-770-0588 or mollycisco@msn.com
Or check out our website  www.grassrootspower.org

Board of Directors:
Judie Robson, President; Bob Driscoll, Vice President;
Kathryn Ackley, Treasurer; Lori Kinnard, Secretary
Benita Walker, Gerald Huber General Members

Administrative Staff:  
Molly Cisco, Executive Director; Lora Ott, Financial Manager

Funds Raised:
Revenue for 2006 totaled $597,201

Sources of Revenue:
State of Wisconsin DHFS – 92.5%
Donations – 3.8%
Consulting Fees – 1.7%
Memberships & Other Revenue –  2%

Funds Used:
Empowerment Grants – 30.6%
Educational Conference & Meetings – 12.8%
Administrative – 7.4%
Fundraising – 3.1%
Other Program – 46.1%

A copy of our audited financial statement for the year ended December 31, 2006 is available upon request.