What does Shake It for Shelter support? Who comes to Shake it for Shelter? What happens at Shake It? What’s the “Surf’s Up” thing? How can I spread the word about Shake it for Shelter? More about family homelessness in Massachusetts More about COMPASS for homeless families Back to Shake It for Shelter and YOU What does Shake It for Shelter support? Shake it for Shelter supports COMPASS for homeless families – a program of COMPASSfor kids. (see below for more about COMPASS and the terrible problem of family homelessness in Massachusetts). back to top Who comes to Shake it for Shelter? Shake it – as it is fondly known – attracts hundreds of adults – who want to get out and have a great time – dancing, drinking and bidding under the tents. Shake It is adults only. Shakers (easier to say than Shake It’ers) range in age from late twenties to late fifties – with a sprinkling of youngers and olders. back to top What happens at Shake It? There’s live dance music – covers that you will recognize and that beg you to dance. There’s cash bars – so you may want to plan for a designated driver or a cab. There are Live and Silent Auctions – and maybe raffles. There are photo ops. back to top What’s the “Surf’s Up” thing? Each year the Shake It for Shelter planning legions come up with a theme to make Shake It even more fun. “Surf’s Up” begs for flip flops, Hawaiian shirts, Leis, drinks with paper umbrellas…you get the idea. Surf’s Up also made us procure a Mechanical Surfboard – come prepared to ride – or enjoy the efforts of others! Maybe we’ll even set up the Limbo…and volleyball… back to top How can I spread the word about Shake It for Shelter? You can join our Cause on Facebook and ask your friends to join! Print our informational flyer and ask to post it at your community organization, school, nail salon, etc! back to top More about family homelessness in Massachusetts COMPASs for kids (formerly Parenting Resource Associates) founded COMPASS for homeless families in 2000, when we became aware that more than a thousand families in Massachusetts were living – living for half a year or longer - in emergency shelters and motels – far from “home”. Over the next almost-a-decade, shelter stays lengthened, so that many families spend a year to two years in under-resourced shelters meant for emergency stays. Now, almost a decade later, 2,732 families are living in the state's shelter system, with 640 in motels (As of 3/27/09). We are disgusted by this reality that impacts 96,000 children in Massachusetts each year. Children are growing up far from home – clearly left behind – right here in the United States – right here in Massachusetts, in our backyards. back to top More about COMPASS for homeless families COMPASS for homeless families - a program of COMPASs for kids - engages homeless families in finding one way paths out of homelessness. The innovative COMPASS Community College Collaborative brings together COMPASS with the welfare to work training efforts of the Massachusetts Community Colleges to provide homeless families with workforce training, employment support, broad education, and ongoing resources and coaching. COMPASS collaborates and partners with other entrepreneurial non-profits, businesses and individuals to provide homeless families in Greater Boston with direct services and resources that support family self-sufficiency. COMPASS and all of our partners provide caring, offer options and help open new doors for homeless families – so that parents and children can thrive. Every year, 96,000 children are homeless in Massachusetts – COMPASS works to provide a brighter future for these children. back to top Back to Shake It for Shelter and YOU And while a dance party is clearly not the whole solution to family homelessness, Shake It for Shelter does help. The monies raised allow COMPASS to serve more families, provide more in depth, long-term services and supports, and to develop new program sites. Your involvement will ensure the success of Shake It for Shelter. We hope you will be a part of this community-wide effort to end the cycle of family homelessness. back to top