LEGISLATIVE RESOLUTION commemorating the 25th Anniversary of The
Retreat, East Hampton, New York, to be celebrated March 1, 2012

WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to recognize and pay
tribute to those agencies in our community that help to protect communi-
ty members and educate the public on issues of importance to everyone;
and
WHEREAS, Primary among such institutions are those who, year after
year, diligently seek to empower those in need, promote a culture of
equality and respect, and assist families in crisis; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-
standing traditions, it is the intent of this Legislative Body to
commemorate the 25th Anniversary of The Retreat, East Hampton, New York,
to be celebrated at Race Lane Restaurant and Bar, East Hampton, New
York, on Thursday, March 1, 2012; and
WHEREAS, For the past 25 years, The Retreat Domestic Violence
Services, where violence ends and hope begins, has offered hope, inspi-
ration, support and courage to the eastern Long Island community; and
WHEREAS, Its mission is to provide safety, shelter and support for
victims of domestic abuse and to break the cycle of family violence; and
WHEREAS, One in four women are victims of domestic violence and more
than 50% of their children are too; domestic violence affects many
people, including friends, relatives, women and children, maybe even
you; and
WHEREAS, For 25 years, The Retreat has served as a safe haven for
families in crisis; this vital organization provides numerous services
to protect victims, provide safety and help individuals get back on
their feet and live productive lives; and
WHEREAS, The Retreat offers a wide array of direct services to crime
victims on Long Island, including five core services: Crisis Hotline,
Domestic Violence Shelter, Legal Advocacy, Counseling, and Domestic
Violence Prevention Education; and
WHEREAS, In 2011, the shelter, with the help of 123 generous volun-
teers, served 70 women and 64 children; provided 3,053 counseling
services which served 310 clients, including children; the Advocacy
program served 186 clients and provided 1,064 legal accompaniment
services; offered 5,932 services of information, referrals, and personal
advocacy to 473 clients; provided support, information, and referrals to
3,162 hotline callers; received 2,690 police reports and sent letters to
all identified victims of abuse offering support and services; reached
2,038 students with the Retreat's in-school violence prevention educa-
tion programs, and educators provided a total of 149 sessions to local
schools; provided community education to 2,748 individuals; and assessed
and educated 35 batterers to take responsibility for their abusive
behavior and learn new strategies to cope with relationship issues; and
WHEREAS, It is the practice of this Legislative Body that those who
enhance the well-being and vitality of their community and have shown a
long and sustained commitment to excellence certainly have earned the
recognition and applause of all the citizens of this great Empire State;
now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to
commemorate the 25th Anniversary of The Retreat, East Hampton, New York,
to be celebrated March 1, 2012; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be tran-
smitted to The Retreat.