Suffolk rolls out multiagency campaign to beat back ‘epidemic’ of human trafficking Suffolk Measure to Fight Human Trafficking

By Joe Werkmeister, Newsday February 6, 2025 Suffolk County officials on Thursday unveiled a new multiagency, coordinated approach to find missing children and curb what they say is an “epidemic” of human trafficking in the county. The initiative, dubbed “Operation Safe and Lasting Return,” brings together law enforcement, social services and community organizations to break down what […]
Prospect of Funding Freeze Panicked Many

By Christopher Gangemi, East Hampton Star January 30, 2025 The Federal Office of Management and Budget’s temporary pause Tuesday on grants, loans, and federal financial assistance programs that are targeted by President Trump’s executive orders was rescinded only 24 hours later, but not before sending local organizations into a panic. “Any program not implicated by the President’s […]
Governor Announces $575,000 for The Retreat

By Christopher Walsh, 27East.com During her whirlwind visit to East Hampton Town on Friday, Governor Kathy Hochul visited The Retreat’s Stephanie House Shelter to announce that the state will allocate $575,000 to the nonprofit, which provides safety, shelter and support for victims of domestic abuse. The money will be used for building improvements and technological […]
My Experience as a Social Worker

By Sarah Samson, , MPH, CHESProject Coordinator of Long Island Safer Bars My experience as a social worker in domestic violence began while working with families who were formerly unhoused. Most of my clients had experienced some form of domestic or sexual violence leading up to becoming unhoused. When the opportunity to work in preventing […]
East End nonprofit gives teen victims of dating violence advocacy, counseling

The Retreat is unique because it has a teen leadership council and teen advocates. Some of the volunteers share their stories of relationship violence and let others know there is help.
Preventing Dating Violence Among Teens

You know those candy hearts with the cute sayings? The Retreat’s Teen Leadership Council, a group of East End students that explores healthy relationships through educational activities, honest conversations, and advocacy projects, has come up with an all new version with empowering phrases.
The Retreat: Helping Teens Set Healthy Relationship Boundaries

One in 3 young people will be in an abusive or unhealthy relationship. During this Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, The Retreat’s Teen Leadership Council is working to bring that statistic as close to zero as possible.
Loretta Davis Celebrates 8 Years at The Retreat

On January 26, 2023, Executive Director Loretta Davis celebrated her 8th year working at The Retreat. In honor of this work anniversary, we profiled Loretta in our Spotlight series and on our blog. We are grateful for her dedication to The Retreat and steady leadership as we strive to end the cycle of abuse.
Honoring Joe O’Connell

To recognize this pillar of the community, The Retreat will place a plaque in Joe O’Connell’s honor at the entrance of his former counseling space in our East Hampton office.
The Giving Pump At Shell In Hampton Bays And Water Mill Will Collect Contributions For The Retreat

he Giving Pump is available at the Shell stations in Hampton Bays and Water Mill — both locations have partnered with Strong Oil and Benit Fuels. Shell will be giving a portion of sales from both pumps to The Retreat, a shelter for victims of domestic violence based in East Hampton, from August 1 to the end of September.