Dan's Papers - June 26, 2009 - The Retreat Hosts Artists' Original Plate Auction

The Retreat has become much busier recently. And while "busy" is a good thing for many companies, for The Retreat, busy is a double-edged sword.

The Retreat is a shelter for battered women and their children. While the organization is pleased when people needing their services seek them out, the fact that The Retreat has become busier is an unfortunate sign of the times - they have seen a 33% increase in demand for services, which they attribute directly to the economy. The shelter has been full to capacity for the past two months.

With the recent economic tumult and widespread financial uncertainty, many people are living with the fear of losing their jobs or their homes. Financial trouble causes stress, and sadly, that stress can be misdirected. Husbands, unemployed, disappointed and desperate, find an outlet for their pent up anger and frustration through physical violence against their wives and children.

The Retreat does more than supply shelter. It offers counseling for the women, but also for the abusers - a group session helps men confront their behavior, change it and take responsibility for the things that they have done. Recovered batterers are continuously supported by the groups. The Retreat also runs a hotline for women who are uncertain of what to do or need someone to talk to. It offers nutritional workshops since, when faced with crises, people may overlook basic needs like eating healthfully. The organization also provides legal counseling to help women with orders of protection, custody issues, and court dates. In addition, The Retreat runs violence prevention programs for elementary and middle school students, teaching them about respect, bullying, and violence and conflict at home, school, or even on the Internet.

The Retreat also sponsors one of the most interesting and creative benefits of the summer season: The annual Artists Against Abuse Benefit and plate auction on June 27. Kelsey and Camille Grammer will host the evening, which will include an auction of spectacular hand-painted plates by famous artists like Peter Max, Dan Rizzie, April Gornik, Elaine deKooning, Giancarlo Impiglia, Will Ryman and Jamie Wyeth. The evening will include cocktails, dinner and silent and live auctions.

This year's Benefit, for the first time, will also include an after party - the brainchild of Bride's Magazine's Maria McBride, who feels the party is a way to encourage the Hamptons' 20-something crowd to join in the fun and help further The Retreat's mission.

The Retreat was founded in 1987 by community leaders in East Hampton as a not-for-profit domestic violence agency. Soon after, the hotline, non-residential counseling services, and domestic violence outreach programs were started. By 1992, the organization had an 18 bed shelter, legal advocacy services, parenting education, and children's services. The Retreat is the East End's only domestic violence center, so in 1995 they expanded to also help the towns of Southampton, Riverhead, Southold and Greenport as well. Since then, The Retreat has opened up a Thift Shop in the Bridgehampton Commons to help fund the shelter when there were government funding cuts. The organization won awards from the Family Violence Prevention Fund, the Governor of the State of New York, and Newsday for their programs. The Retreat also received the Henry D. Pearson Jr. Memorial Award, which was awarded for outstanding human services and exceptional work in strengthening human relations.

By hosting the Artists Against Abuse Benefit for the Retreat, Kelsey and Camille Grammer hope to highlight the need for domestic violence education and bring greater awareness and change. The event will also honor Louise and Steve Bergerson for their continued sponsorship throughout the years, East Hampton Town Police Officer Grace LaFemina, and Sergeant Nancie L. Byrne, the Commanding Officer of the Domestic Violence and Elder Abuse Bureau for the Suffolk County Police Department.

In addition to attending the benefit, those interested in supporting The Retreat can donate money to the shelter, volunteer to man The Retreat's hotline, or go to the shelter to help children with their homework or tell them stories. Volunteers can help mothers prepare their resumes for job search, help organize events and fundraisers, or work in The Retreat's Thrift Shop. Donating gently used clothes and house wares to the Thrift Store also helps.

The Artists Against Abuse Benefit. Ross School, 18 Goodfriend Dr., East Hampton. Saturday, June 27 from 6 to 10 p.m. Tickets: $450 each, or $250 for "Junior Art Enthusiasts" (age 35 and under). Sponsorship tickets from $1,000 to $10,000. To purchase tickets, visit TheRetreatInc.org. The Retreat's Thrift Shop is located in the Bridgehampton Commons. To volunteer or donate call 631-329-4398.