The Retreat & Suffolk County Coalition Against Domestic Violence Awarded Grant From Department Of Health & Health Research Inc.

“Partnering with the Suffolk County Coalition Against Domestic Violence offers a unique opportunity for The Retreat to work in both Nassau and Suffolk Counties to combat sexual violence in local communities by implementing strategies proven to reduce sexual assault incidences,” noted Karen Lombri, Director of Non-Residential Services at The Retreat.

The Retreat, an East Hampton based not-for-profit domestic violence services agency, and Suffolk County Coalition Against Domestic Violence (SCCADV) were recently chosen to receive a grant for $145,000 annually for a five year period as part of New York State Department of Health and Health Research Inc.’s Regional Centers for Sexual Violence Prevention initiative. Their proposal was focused on preventing sexual violence against youth and young adults with disabilities, in foster care and in substance abuse treatment through coalition building, policy education and social norms change.

“The Suffolk County Coalition Against Domestic Violence is thrilled to have an opportunity to work in partnership with the Retreat to implement strategies that focus on primary prevention strategies to end sexual violence,” expressed Colleen Merlo, Executive Director of SCCADV. “It is exciting to be doing work that helps us develop cultures of non-violence; the effects will be lasting!”

Suffolk County Coalition Against Domestic Violence and The Retreat were the only Long Island organizations to receive the award. The initiative will fund a full time coordinator at The Retreat as well as a part time educator at the Coalition.

For more information on The Retreat, visit www.theretreatinc.org. For more information about Suffolk County Coalition Against Domestic Violence, visit www.sccadv.org.