In the mid-1980s, a grassroots effort began when a group of individuals including a local pastor, a school social worker, and therapists saw a clear need for domestic violence services on the East End. By 1987, with the assistance of the East Hampton Rotary, their work established The Retreat whose mission is to provide safety, shelter, and support to those experiencing domestic violence.
Just five years later, with the support of East Hampton Town and Suffolk County, The Retreat opened the doors of an 18-bed shelter.
In “The Power of Community,” Director Markie Hancock tells the inspirational history of The Retreat, tracing the improbable beginnings of the organization interlaced with the personal stories of three women.
