On Thursday, April 19, The Retreat, Inc. returns to Stephen Talkhouse in Amagansett at 7 p.m. for a night of high-energy dance music with Booga Sugar as part of Rock the Retreat. Food will be provided buffet-style by Hamptons Foodie and donuts will be provided by Dreesen’s. In addition to live dance music, there will also be a raffle which includes a trip to Universal Studios in Orlando.
“We’re excited to be a part of the Retreat’s event this year. It’s an important service for eastern Long Island,” says Tim Cloherty of Booga Sugar. “We’re bringing the party to another level of fun with an 80s theme and we’re hoping all our fans come out to support this great cause.”
Booga Sugar will perform an exhilarating mix of rock, pop, funk, and disco hits with their own twist of mixes and mash-ups. The group was founded by Tim Cloherty and performs frequently in New York City and the East End.
“Rock the Retreat began as an idea to bring the local community together in a very approachable way to spread awareness about the mission and work being done at The Retreat,” said Andrew Stern, Retreat board member.
Tickets are $30 in advance and $40 at the door. All proceeds from ticket sales will be used to support The Retreat’s many programs and continue its mission to end violence against individuals and within families.
The Retreat, Inc. is a not-for-profit established in 1987 that provides domestic violence and sexual assault services to women, children, and families in Suffolk and Nassau counties. For more than thirty years, it has provided the community with support to those affected by domestic violence, and prevention through outreach and education.
Programming includes a Teen Leadership Project, in which teens from East End schools learn about violence prevention and promote awareness within their communities; the Suffolk County Fatherhood Initiative, which aims to address economic stability and responsible parenting; and Take Charge! which provides career and financial counseling to survivors of abuse.
As of 2016 (the most up-to-date statistics for The Retreat), 6,625 individuals have been served by the organization, 115 clients have found solace and shelter at The Stephanie House, 324 clients have received counseling services, and 137 in-school violence education programs have been conducted.
One can get involved and support the non-profit through volunteering and donations. The Retreat accepts clothing, housewares, furniture that can be sold in the thrift store, as well as gift cards (for gas and groceries) and other items that are listed on clients’ “Wish Lists.”
“The Retreat is so much more than a shelter and we really want the local community to gain a better understanding of how important an organization The Retreat is and how much they do for victims of domestic violence right in our own backyards,” Stern explained.
Tickets to Rock the Retreat can be purchased online.
Stephen Talkhouse is located at 161 Main Street in Amagansett. For more information, please visit www.theretreatinc.org.