THE PURIST AUGUST ISSUE

Page 32

MINDFUL

PURE GOOD

The Retreat’s executive director Loretta Davis creates a safe space for victims of domestic violence. BY ADAM ROSANTE

ADAM ROSANTE: For anyone who’s not familiar, what is The Retreat? LORETTA DAVIS: The Retreat provides safety, shelter and support for kids and adults who are victims of relationship violence, abuse and/ or sexual assault. We provide counseling, legal assistance, financial-empowerment Arts-and-crafts day workshops, at The Retreat accompaniment to court, case management services, violence prevention education and emergency shelter. We also have a 24-hour multilingual hotline (631.329.2200) and online chat (allagainstabuse. org) for anyone who needs help. All services are free.

who stopped speaking because of the abuse he witnessed. After individual and family counseling, he began to speak again because of the trust and support he experienced. There’s also the story of a client who had a gun pointed at her and her infant. She left her home and everything behind. With legal assistance and counseling, she became financially stable and lives independently. Today, she’s a mentor and spokesperson for other survivors. AR: Why is it important to use your life to be of service? LD: Most of us want to make the world a better place, and that means helping others. When you work with families who’ve suffered from abuse and violence, many of whom are marginalized and vulnerable, you help facilitate positive change in their lives. What’s more important than that?

AR: What would someone who’s familiar with The Retreat be surprised to learn? LD: The one that always shocks people is that abuse happens regardless of income. What you see on the surface isn’t necessarily what’s happening behind closed doors. Also, most people think all of our clients live at the shelter. The majority access our services from their homes on the East End. They’re transitioning or changing their lives and don’t reside in our shelter. AR: What’s your biggest challenge, right now? LD: Funding, for sure. While we have government grants and contracts, we diligently seek funding from foundations, private donors and businesses. We also raise revenue from our Bridgehampton thrift store, The Retreat Boutique (at 2102 Montauk Highway in the Bridgehampton Commons, just across the parking lot from T.J. Maxx), and from events.

Support The Retreat by donating online: allagainstabuse. org. Upcoming events include Artists and Writers Charity Softball Game, Saturday, August 21, East Hampton. East End Fund for Children, Round Up at Citarella, August through Labor Day at Citarella in East Hampton, Bridgehampton and Southampton.

AR: Can you share a success story? LD: There are so many survivor tales. That’s the important message. For those still living with abuse, look to our success stories. Reach out and get help. We had a child 30

Courtesy of The Retreat

AR: How can someone get involved with The Retreat? LD: Join our team as a volunteer! You can work in the office, be trained on the hotline, drive clients to medical/ court appointments, be a spokesperson for The Retreat, help at events or join one of our committees. We have lots of options with varied schedules. You can also donate your gently used clothes to our thrift store and buy items at the store. Revenue from the store helps to cover the cost of our free services. We also offer prevention education workshops. Attend one and help change the world.


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GET MOVING

2min
page 159

COACHES

2min
page 158

CRUISE INTO THE FUTURE

5min
pages 160-161

MEDITATION MATTERS

10min
pages 154-157

HEALTHY TO-GO

13min
pages 144-153

HAPPENING HARVEST

4min
pages 140-143

MAMA FARM

11min
pages 134-139

DOCK AND DINE

4min
pages 122-125

TRUE GRIT

4min
pages 132-133

EYES ON THE PRIZE Actress Jessica Chastain

9min
pages 126-131

TO MARKET

3min
pages 120-121

THE BUCKWHEAT REVOLUTION

2min
page 118

SHIP SHAPE

2min
page 119

TASTE THE RAINBOW

4min
pages 114-117

POWER PLAY

1min
pages 111-113

PURE PICKS

1min
page 110

ARTIST FILE

2min
page 107

A HISTORIC FIRST

5min
pages 108-109

WEAR A MASTERPIECE

2min
page 106

PURE PICKS

1min
pages 104-105

SOUTHAMPTON SUMMER VIBES

5min
pages 100-103

DREAM WORLD

4min
pages 96-99

BEST FOOT FORWARD

3min
pages 94-95

BREAK AWAY

7min
pages 90-93

WELLNESS REDEFINED

2min
pages 84-85

QUICK BEAUTY FIXES

2min
pages 82-83

SAY GOODBYE TO CELLULITE

2min
pages 86-89

MIRACLE WORKER

5min
pages 80-81

TEEN SCREEN

2min
pages 78-79

A CURIOUS MIND

1min
pages 76-77

SUSTAINABLE INTERIORS

3min
pages 66-69

SUN SAFETY

2min
pages 72-73

CLEAN BEAUTY PIONEER

3min
pages 74-75

PURE PICKS

1min
pages 70-71

GET TOGETHER

2min
pages 64-65

I’LL TAKE MANHATTAN

2min
pages 62-63

PURE PROPERTY

6min
pages 58-61

PURE PICKS

1min
pages 56-57

GLOBAL BEACH CHIC

2min
page 55

COMMUNITY MINDED

3min
pages 52-54

GROWING MARKET

5min
pages 50-51

HIGH TIME

2min
page 49

DESTINATION REJUVENATION

3min
pages 46-47

ON GUARD

4min
page 48

DECODING SIBO

2min
pages 44-45

HAMPTONS PRIDE

2min
pages 34-35

ASK THE DR

5min
pages 42-43

THE TAO OF NOW

2min
pages 28-29

SNEAK PREVIEW

6min
pages 38-41

A MYSTICAL LESSON

2min
page 37

PURE GOOD

2min
pages 32-33

FLOWER POWER

2min
pages 30-31

GUIDED BY BIET

4min
page 36
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