Eau Claire Mental Health Nonprofit in Danger of Shutting Down Due to Lack of Financial Support

Friday, February 16th, 2024 -- 8:01 AM

(Margaret Faust, Wisconsin Public Radio) Leaders of a mental health nonprofit in Eau Claire say the organization is in danger of shutting down amid dwindling financial support.

According to Margaret Faust with Wisconsin Public Radio, like other mental health nonprofits in Wisconsin, Eau Claire’s peer-run Wellness Shack is struggling with money woes now that COVID relief funds are gone, grants are more competitive and private donations have declined.

The Wellness Shack lost over $50,000 in grant revenue and donations since the start of the pandemic, according to its leaders. Staff have been spending down their emergency fund to keep the doors open.

Bob Schrader, executive director of the Wellness Shack, organized a silent demonstration outside of the Eau Claire City Hall earlier this week. Members held signs that read, “Here you will find hope” and “Please tell the city council to fund us!”

“It’s inevitable. If the city doesn’t step in or the county doesn’t step in, we will be closed (by the end of June),” Schrader said. Schrader and other members of the Wellness Shack asked the Eau Claire City Council for $50,000.

But Stephanie Hirsch, Eau Claire’s city manager, said she doesn’t see a path for the city council to give the group the money they are asking for. She said making changes to the annual budget midyear is challenging and there are many community organizations with unmet needs.

“It’s just so discouraging and heartbreaking to be in a position where we would like to be that safety net and to help, and we don’t have a way to do it that we can think of,” Hirsch said.

The Wellness Shack is a peer-run mental health recovery center offering seven different support groups free to members. Schrader says he’s seen the impact the groups have had on people’s lives.

“Their confidence improves, their self-esteem improves and they start living a normal life, even though most people would say they’re not normal because they have a mental illness,” Schrader said.

Schrader said the organization was turned down for 10 grants in the last three months. In December, they sent out an appeal letter asking for help to 160 local businesses, 40 local churches, and about 200 current and former members.

“We probably got $3,000, but it’s not enough. Our operating budget for the last few years has been $95,000 a year,” Schrader said. “It’s been a struggle.” Schrader is worried if the Wellness Shack dissolves, it will leave a “void” of mental health services in the area.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.