Consumer run-organizations (CROs) have been empowering and socially supportive settings chosen by mental health consumers as a complement or an alternative to traditional mental health services. According to previous research the benefits of actively attending and participating in CROs included increased social support, empowerment, and sense of community (2, 6 &13). This poster will present findings from one of few longitudinal studies of mental health consumers in consumer-operate organizations in the United States. Results of this study will focus on the predictive relationship between age, hope, organizationally mediated empowerment, personal empowerment, empowerment-decision making, social participation, socialnetwork as related to member retention . Face-to faces interviews were conducted with CRO members from eight different Kansas CROs at baseline (N=172) and at a 12-month follow up (N=171). Discussion will focus on the reasons why some mental health consumers might be more likely than other mental health consumers to become long time CRO members and how should CROs use this information to ensure their longevity.