The Retreat provides supportive services to individuals and families who are involved in abusive domestic relationships. Professionals and trained volunteers explore alternatives and available resources in order to resolve a client’s problem.
The Retreat offers victims of domestic violence:
Hotline Services – Telephone crisis intervention is available 24 hours per day. Staff and trained volunteers link callers to the shelter, police, and emergency health services, while providing supportive listening, basic information, and referrals. On average 3, 194 hotline calls come in each year.
Individual Counseling – Individual and group counseling is provided for adults and children. Short-term goals help women take control of their lives and make positive changes without guilt. Long-term counseling provides a setting for healing, and group counseling combines education about abuse with mutual support.
Legal Advocacy – Trained legal advocates accompany victims to court, explain the legal process, and assist in obtaining orders of protection, and custody.
Violence Prevention/Education – The Retreat’s in-school education program effectively helps children and teenagers build self-esteem while enabling them to identify and understand how to deal with problem situations on the playground, in their home, or in dating relationships. Through these programs, children learn at an early age that violence is unacceptable. We also educate the community via workshops and presentations about domestic violence, including bullying and dating violence.
Crime Victim Assistance – Working with local police, the Retreat provides immediate confidential response and assistance to victims of domestic violence.
In addition, the Retreat can provide:
- Rape and Sexual Assault Services
- Children’s Services
- Support Groups
- Information and Referrals
Residential Services
The Retreat Shelter, located on the east end of Long Island, provides housing for eighteen women and children for a 90-day length of stay. Included among the services are adult and children’s counseling, advocacy, educational programs, housing assistance, help in obtaining public assistance and transportation. Access to the shelter is 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.