Dan's Papers - June 29, 2007

On Saturday, June 23, local artists in gathered at Hampton Hall in Southampton to support the protection of the East End's women and children by showing their support for The Retreat, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing shelter and support for victims of abuse. Bill McCuddy of FOX News served as Master of Ceremonies and Nicholas Lowry of "Antiques Roadshow" was the Auctioneer. The host of the star-studded gala was Bridgehampton resident Lorraine Bracco, an actress most famous for her role as Tony Soprano's psychiatrist in the HBO television series "The Sopranos" and for her Academy Award-Nominated performance as a mobster's wife in Goodfellas.

Not only is Ms. Bracco a talented film, stage and screen actress, she is also a compassionate humanitarian and her choice of charities that she has chosen to support is deliberate and sincere. "I'm a big believer in helping women and children," she explained, "I think, emotionally and psychologically, people don't know what to do in abusive situations." This is where The Retreat comes in. "They go into schools," to teach children how to recognize abuse and get help for themselves or a friend, Ms. Bracco said. "They will help anybody, 24 hours a day."

The Retreat's 24-hour hotline is often the first step to freedom from abusive relationships. The Retreat's toll-free phone number can be found in public places across the East End and, once called, its operators can access local law enforcement and offer their support to victims of abuse while informing them of the options open to them through The Retreat and its many programs.

Among the life-saving services The Retreat offers is an eighteen-bed shelter on the East End where women and their children may stay for 90 days. The shelter is a "secure residence" that offers parenting classes, childcare, nutritional workshops, legal counseling, and assistance to victims of abuse in need of permanent housing, social services, food, clothing and shelter. In order to ensure that all victims of abuse have the chance to contact The Retreat, a letter with information about their services is sent to the home of every person who files a police report in response to domestic abuse.

The Retreat's other programs include LINCS (Learning Independence and Networking to Create Self-sufficiency), a program that provides guidance and direction in job readiness, personal organization and life enrichment for women who are survivors of domestic violence and SHARP (Structured Help Antiviolence Re-education Program), a group program for men who are physically, verbally and/or emotionally abusive toward their partners that helps men take full responsibility for their abusive behavior while actively learning new strategies to deal with relationship issues.

In order to support these revolutionary programs, twenty of the East End's most celebrated artists created one-of-a-kind plates that were sold off in a silent auction at the benefit. Starting at $400-$500, these works of art are not only beautiful, but are also glimmers of hope for the victims of abuse that the proceeds from the auction will go toward helping. Some of the most memorable plates were created by Grant Haffner, whose flat, colorful depictions of East End farmscapes and highways lend themselves perfectly to the glossy surface of the ceramic plate; Giancarlo Impiglia, whose plate was splashed with whimsical abstractions fit for any luxurious East End home; Don Duga, who painted a montage of illustrations he had created for Christmas specials; John Battle, who chose to echo the square shape of the plates in an intricate metal sculpture named "A Bird in the Hand;" and James McMullen, who drew a second version of his poster for the Southampton Writers' Conference, depicting a young, brawny Herman Mellville scratching the first line of Moby Dick in the sand, on his lively ceramic plate. Other artists donated their work to be auctioned off to benefit The Retreat as well. Roberto Dutesco donated one of his famous "Sable Island Horses," David Gamble donated a well-known paint-on-photograph piece depicting a man on a motorcycle, Michael Combs gave an elegant sculpture named "The Preening" that resembled a swan and William Wegman donated a print of his first and most famous Weimeraner, Man Ray, sitting atop a wet bench beside a lush Hamptons pond. Other artists who contributed work included Ross Bleckner, Sue Coe, Eric Ernst, April Gornik, Arnold Hoffmann, Janet Jennings, Scott Kelley, Ivan Kustura, Denise Regan, Dan Rizzi and Esteban Vicente. A pilot episode script from "The Sopranos," signed by the cast and crew, was also auctioned off, as well as BCBG and Cole Hann gift packages, theater tickets and gift baskets filled with luxury items.

The raffle prizes were similarly spectacular and included a pave diamond and amethyst bracelet by David Yurman and a three-day, two-night beachfront stay at the exquisite Round Hill Resort in Jamaica.

The Retreat provides hope, shelter and guidance to the East End's most vulnerable residents. With the proceeds from the auction and gala in its coffers, The Retreat will be able to open its doors to even more women and children in need, making this past weekend's event a true success.

For more information on The Retreat and their services, please call (631)-329-4398. If you or a loved one needs help now, please call The Retreat's 24-hour hotline at (631) 329-2200.