Project Hope Dance-a-Thon

Date: April 1, 2026

Time: 5-9pm

Location: Betty Tipton Room
Student Center
Eastern Connecticut State University

Join us for a night of music, dancing, and fun, in support of Project Hope's mission to provide safe, dignified housing for community members in crisis. Not a seasoned dancer? No problem! Willimantic's own Oswaldo Tirano will lead us in salsa and merengue lessons and you'll have plenty of opportunities to learn new steps while helping us fundraise for our Diversion Fund. Diversion Funding provides flexible support to help resolve housing crises quickly, often before people come into shelter.

Come solo, with your partner or family, or round up a group of friends to compete for prizes!

Pre-register today to reserve your spot, and we'll connect with you the week before the Dance-a-Thon with a link to submit your entry donation and manage any additional fundraising or donations.

 Suggested entry donation: $15 students, $25 non-students

 

 

Schedule 

4:30 – 5:00 p.m.            Initial Check In and Registration

5:00 – 5:50 p.m.            Line Dancing Lesson

6:00 – 6:50 p.m.            Salsa & Merengue Lesson with Oswaldo Tirano of                                                 Grasshopper Arts & Dance Studio

6:50-8:50 p.m.               Open dance, all styles

8:50 p.m.                       Closing and prizes

 

The Campaign

Since 2003, Project HOPE of Eastern Connecticut has supported thousands of adults experiencing housing instability across eastern Connecticut. Through housing, outreach, prevention, and emergency shelter services, we help people move beyond homelessness toward lasting stability.

The Need is Growing: Homelessness in Connecticut has increased for five consecutive years, surpassing 3,700 people in 2025. Older adults 55+ and people of color are disproportionately affected. With rising rents and limited affordable housing, even a short-term crisis can quickly lead to homelessness. 

Our Goal: We are raising $25,000 for our Diversion Fund, which helps resolve housing crises quickly, often before people are forced into the emergency shelter system. These flexible funds cover one-time urgent expenses -- overdue rent or utilities, security deposits, phones, vital documentation, car repairs, work clothing, or transportation – that can make the difference between stability and homelessness. These funds provide direct support to unhoused and precariously housed community members.

How You Can Help: We're participating in this year's 860Gives Campaign, which will match and multiply donations we collect between March 31st and April 2nd. By purchasing a Dance-a-Thon ticket, partying with us on April 1st, and making additional donations or raising funds yourself, you help us to take advantage of this opportunity to maximize our support for our unhoused community members.  

 

To learn more about 860Gives or to fundraise and donate: 

https://www.860gives.org/organizations/project-hope-of-eastern-ct