The Retreat

 JUNE 26^th, 2010 will mark the 15^th Anniversary of the Retreat’s most celebrated event, Artists Against Abuse. For over two decades the Retreat has been a safe haven for victims of domestic violence and their families.  The Retreat continues to be the only agency serving Eastern Long Island with domestic violence services as its founding purpose and core mission, and it maintains the region’s only domestic violence hotline and residential shelter.   Over the past 14 years, Artists Against Abuse has raised critical funds for the Retreat and we hope to make 2010 our most successful year yet. 

This year’s event will again take place at Ross School where Maria McBride (Style Editor at Brides Magazine) will transform the Great Hall into a magical and enchanting backdrop for our guests.  Once again the Retreat continues the tradition of holding a live auction of original works of art from notable artists.  In recognition of our 15^th anniversary of Artists Against Abuse, we will be replacing the silent plate auction with a silent auction of 9′ x 12′ canvases, hand painted and specially commissioned by our Art Chairs; however, to maintain tradition one custom plate will be in the auction. 

Gina Glickman, News 12 Entertainment Reporter and host and creator of the popular, star-studded entertainment series, “What’s Hot in the Hamptons,” will be joining us as Master of Ceremonies. 

In addition, we will be presenting our Hope Award to some extraordinary individuals who have greatly impacted our organization.  The Retreat’s Board President, Richard Demato, who will be ending his term on June 30, 2010 as Board President, has provided leadership, vision and given of himself most generously over the past five years, helping to put the agency on an exciting path for the future.  Jordan Bacher, just 13 years old, was the mastermind and organizer of a wonderful Thanksgiving Dinner for Retreat clients.  And finally, we’ll honor Josh Horton and Yvonne Lieblein, who have been instrumental in raising awareness and funds for the Retreat on the North Fork.   All of these individuals’ passion and dedication to our mission have been enormous and for that, we thank them. 

To purchase tickets or for more information contact the Developement Team at 631.329.4398 or visit www.artistsagainstabuse.com

Ticket Prices start at $450 and includes cocktails and a full dinner.

nnedv ltr re fed budget 032410  (click to view the letter)

Greetings!

While Albany is busy working on finalizing the State budget, our assistance is needed at the Federal level.

The National Network to End Domestic Violence is asking for help!

It is an exciting and busy time in Washington, DC! While healthcare is center-stage at the moment, the appropriations process is also moving along.

We have early victories to celebrate — the President’s budget includes increases for FVPSA, VAWA programs and VOCA. In a time when he has vowed to not increase discretionary spending, these increases are impressive and hard won. It is our collective job this year to preserve the increases and fight for additional funding.

Of course, the reality in Congress this year is harsh. Both Republicans and Democrats are eager to look fiscally responsible and many members of Congress have pledged not to support funding increases. Because of this, we need to heighten and strengthen our efforts this year!

Sign On To The Attached Letter  (nnedv ltr re fed budget 032410  (click to view the letter

We are asking local domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence and stalking advocacy organizations’ to sign on to the attached letter by e-mailing advocacy@nnedv.org

The letter supports full funding for VAWA/FVPSA/VOCA and is attached for your review. This group sign on letter will help us demonstrate unified and strong support for funding as NNEDV meets with Appropriations Committee staff. Although the attached letter is addressed to the House Appropriations Committee, the exact letter will be replicated for the Senate.

Proposed Executive Budget for FY 10/11 Will Decimate Domestic Violence Services on Long Island

My name is Jeffrey Friedman, Executive Director of the Retreat.   For over two decades, the Retreat has been the only community-based, not-for-profit agency that provides direct domestic violence services and support for victims of domestic crimes on eastern Long Island. With people losing their jobs and being foreclosed from their homes, family violence has been on the rise and domestic violence service requests at the Retreat have increased nearly 40% in the most recent 12-month period. Simultaneously as demand for our services has been accelerating at a record-breaking pace, organizationally, we have seen dramatic funding cuts from our local government, in addition to a substantial drop in private donations.

The Proposed Executive Budget for FY 10/11 is essentially a complete elimination of all state funding for domestic violence services and will have a catastrophic effect on the women and children of our community.  If enacted, Governor Patterson’s proposed budget will place thousands of Long Island’s women and children in harms way. 

The Governor’s proposed budget contains the following critical elements: 1) Elimination of State Funds in the following areas: a. TANF – $3 million dollars in TANF  funds  previously available for non-residential services has been zeroed out. b. Child Protection/Domestic Violence Collaborations – elimination of state funding for these collaborations. 2) Significant cost shift/reduction: a. Title XX – All state funding will be eliminated leaving only federal and local dollars. This cost shift is actually an $18 million reduction for local districts.  b. General Fund – There will be no General Fund dollars being allocated to domestic violence programs and services in the State of New York. 

For the Retreat, the only community based domestic violence services organization on Eastern Long Island, these cuts would be deep and have great impact.  The following services would be drastically effected and/or eliminated due to funding cuts: A) Crisis Hotline — The 24/7 hotline provides: education, crisis intervention, and instant linkage of abused and/or threatened individuals to local and statewide resources such as shelter and emergency health services.  In 2008, the Retreat responded to 1,580 hotline calls. B) Legal Advocacy — Trained Retreat staff members accompany victims to court year-round and assist in the important process of obtaining orders of protection. Additionally, Advocates provide guidance and emotional support through stressful custody issues.  In 2008, the Advocacy program served 534 clients and provided 6,317 units of service.  [A "unit of service" is any separate, distinct instance of interaction with a client or member of the general public who benefits from our work.] C) Counseling — Individual and Group counseling is provided to adults and children year-round. Counseling sessions focus on empowerment.  Group counseling sessions combine education about abuse with mutual support to alleviate feelings of isolation.  In 2008, the Counseling program served 186 clients and provided a total 2,492 units of service.

We understand that New York has been hit hard by the economic crisis, but to decimate the state’s domestic violence budget at a time when the women and children of our community are most vulnerable is unacceptable. We cannot expect to overcome budget shortfalls on the backs of abused women and children. 

As you are aware, domestic violence is a matter of life and death for hundreds of thousands of women and children in New York. There simply is no excuse for domestic violence resources to fail to assist victims in need.  Without agencies like the Retreat, these victims have no place to turn and no safety net.  

The Retreat feels and acknowledges the impact of the nation’s economic downturn and the tough choices that are coming with it.   Our leadership team, including our Board of Directors, has recognized that, in this era, every penny counts even more. Even with the significant staffing cutbacks we implemented 2009, our staff and board continue to energetically contribute many long hours in dedication to our mission.  As just one example, a Retreat team member recently discretely assisted a battered woman at 4AM at a train station so that the woman could be escorted safely to a hospital and then to our emergency shelter.  Our team assured that she was not alone. With the funding cuts proposed, I am not sure that organizations like the Retreat can continue to survive and provide critical crisis services to abused women and children. 

Martin Luther King, Jr. said, ”If you lose hope, somehow you lose the vitality that keeps life moving, you lose that courage to be, that quality that helps you go on in spite of it all. Everything that is done in the world is done by hope.” What the staff do at the Retreat is to provide hope for mothers and their children. Our staff show the people we serve that they can have a life free of violence and abuse. They show them they can be in loving nurturing relationships. 

Please keep that hope alive for our women and children.  I urge all community leaders to reexamine the state budget and restore funds to continue to help the abused women and children of our community.           

Thank you for your time and serious consideration of this matter.

 Jeffrey Friedman
Executive Director, The Retreat