Back to School, Back to Safety: How The Retreat Is Equipping Long Island Students for a Safer Future
As backpacks are packed and school doors reopen across Long Island, The Retreat’s Prevention Education Team is already in motion — stepping into classrooms, youth centers, and community spaces with one mission: to prevent abuse before it starts. This isn’t your typical school-year programming. At The Retreat, we believe that prevention is more than a […]
World Day Against Trafficking in Persons: Standing Together to End Exploitation
July 30th marks the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, a global call to raise awareness, support survivors, and strengthen efforts to end one of the most serious violations of human rights: human trafficking. Human trafficking is the recruitment, transportation, transfer, harboring, or receipt of people through force, fraud, or deception for the purpose of […]
The Retreat Joins Project Connect Plus: Supporting Families Impacted by Addiction and Abuse
The Retreat is proud to join Project Connect Plus (+)—a comprehensive, community-wide initiative now available across Long Island. This unique program offers free, wraparound services for individuals and families navigating addiction, abuse, and economic hardship. Whether you’re facing domestic violence, sexual assault, substance use, housing instability, or food insecurity, Project Connect+ is here to support […]
Career-Styling Workshop Empowers Stephanie House Clients at The Retreat Boutique
Clients at Stephanie House, The Retreat’s emergency residential shelter, receive more than just safety—they’re supported with free counseling, legal advocacy, financial empowerment, and education as they begin to rebuild their lives. One inspiring offering is the Career-Styling Workshop, designed to boost confidence and prepare participants for professional opportunities. The most recent session—held at The Retreat […]
Supporting Older Adults: The Retreat Launches New Abuse in Later Life Program
The Retreat is launching the Abuse in Later Life (ALL) program in Suffolk County—a first-of-its-kind initiative in this region focused on supporting individuals aged 50 and older who are experiencing domestic violence, sexual assault, neglect, or exploitation. In partnership with Sepa MUJER, the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Office, Riverhead Police Department, EAC Network, and the […]
Understanding Gaslighting: Key Examples and Insights
Gaslighting is a form of psychological manipulation where one person causes another to question their own perception, memory, or sanity. It’s a powerful tactic often used in abusive relationships to gain control. Recognizing gaslighting is essential to breaking free from its harmful effects. Here are some common examples: 1. Denial of Past Events A gaslighter […]
Bystander: What to Do When a Friend or Relative Is in a Harmful Relationship
Many people in abusive relationships may not recognize the abuse or may feel unable to leave. If you suspect that a friend or loved one is experiencing abuse, your support can make a powerful difference. Remember: the decision to stay or leave ultimately lies with them. Your role is to be a consistent, compassionate presence. […]
How to Recognize Abuse Online
Digital communication is a central part of our lives, and experts are seeing a troubling rise in digital abuse within relationships. This type of abuse can take many forms, but two of the most common are cyberstalking and excessive messaging. Recognizing the warning signs is key to protecting yourself. Digital abuse may involve: If any […]
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TRANSITION AT THE RETREAT
LORETTA DAVIS TO STEP DOWN AS EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CATE CARBONARO TO BECOME NEW LEAD EAST HAMPTON, NY (OCTOBER 7, 2024) After ten years leading The Retreat through dramatic growth and assisting thousands of victims of domestic violence across Suffolk County, Loretta Davis has made the decision to step down as Executive Director at the end […]
New York State Governor Kathy Hochul Visits The Retreat to Announce it will Receive $575,000 for Critical Building Improvements
On August 9, New York State Governor Kathy Hochul visited The Retreat’s Stephanie House Shelter to announce that the State will allocate $575,000 to The Retreat. The funds will be used for building improvements and technological upgrades to the shelter and the organization’s East Hampton administrative office. Governor Hochul addressed a small group of Retreat […]