I Was The Woman Next Door
Being a mother, you want to keep your children safe. I was devasted and so heartbroken when I realized that my child heard the abuse all the time. I was so hurt for her. She heard the obscenities, she saw the pain in my eyes. She saw her mother be broken down. As a mother, […]
DV is the Leading Cause of Homelessness Among Women
by Ellie Kurrus Can you imagine having to make a choice between staying in your home with an abusive partner or homelessness? This is the decision many survivors of domestic violence experience every day. Perpetrators of domestic violence tend to use violence to gain control and power over their partner. In addition to physical abuse, […]
Brought Back to Life
The Retreat has brought me back to life. A life I thought was miles away. They helped me feel who I really am. I really never was able to have friends in my life due to my abuse in the past and present. The staff made me feel like I am worth being in this world. You really are the light in my life. Now I know where I’m going.
Drawn to The Retreat
Michele, Director of Counseling at The Retreat I had the pleasure of starting my work with the Retreat in 1998, my first year of graduate school. I worked as a shift worker in the shelter for one year and had the amazing opportunity to work so closely with clients, supporting them with their day-to-day needs […]
There is A Future
I came into the shelter as a ragged 27-year-old, no money, no job, no education. I was a high school dropout, no place to call come with four shell-shocked children under the age of 10. Their first thought when we arrived was “Mommy, we can all have our own bed now!” Before that, they had […]
There is A Future
While I was a resident of The Retreat’s shelter, I received so much love and hope for me and my family. I came in a ragged 27-year-old, no money, no job, no education. I was a high school dropout, no place to call come with four shell-shocked children under the age of 10. Their first […]
Strength, Hope, and Courage
Upon seeing the bruises his father had inflicted upon me, my son shrugged and called them “battle scars.” Those words terrified me; my beautiful, gentle child thought this was normal. If it were not for my son, I never would have embarked on the two-year journey of leaving my husband of 38 years. He was the reason I finally went to the doctor after being physically abused.
The Importance of Awareness: Recent Headlines & Your Role
Our hearts break over recent headlines, but the story of abuse is not a new one. Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM) is an opportunity for each of us to learn more. Adding our voice toward ending the cycle of violence. The Retreat joins the community in our profound sadness at the death of Suffolk County’s […]
What’s It Like to Call The Retreat Hotline?
We understand how difficult it is to share your experience, but we want you to know all the information you share is confidential. We are here to listen with empathy and without judgment.
Strength, Hope, and Courage: A Survivor Story
Upon seeing the bruises his father had inflicted upon me, my son shrugged and called them “battle scars.” Those words terrified me; my beautiful, gentle child thought this was normal. If it were not for my son, I never would have embarked on the two-year journey of leaving my husband of 38 years. He was the reason I finally went to the doctor after being physically abused.
