The Retreat’s Virtual “All Against Abuse” Gala To Welcome Brooke Shields, Ali Wentworth, Alan Alda, Joy Behar, And More

The Retreat will once again host a virtual star-studded All Against Abuse gala this year. On Saturday, June 5, Brooke Shields, Gloria Gaynor, Michael Bolton, Ali Wentworth, Tamron Hall, Amy Ziering, Alan Alda, Joy Behar, Jaret Martino, and other notable names will come together digitally to support the East End’s sole domestic violence agency during a celebration of survivors and those that have helped them flourish.

“Supporting The Retreat means helping local communities end the cycle of relationship violence in all forms; physical, psychological, and financial,” explained Ellie Kurrus, Benefit Chair. “The All Against Abuse gala is The Retreat’s biggest fundraiser of the year. With your support, we can continue to fund our education department and teach our local children and teens that abuse comes in many forms, none of which are acceptable in a healthy relationship.”

The evening’s special guests will offer insight about particular moments that have impacted them personally. Alda will speak to a frightening childhood experience that has stayed with him throughout his life. Shields and Wentworth will talk about what it’s like to grow up in “the business” and how that affected their relationship with their teenage daughters.

The Artemis Rising Foundation, founded by Regina K. Scully, will fittingly serve as the All Against Abuse title sponsor. Scully, an Emmy and Peabody Award-winning and Academy-nominated producer, was the 2019 event honoree. The Artemis Rising Foundation has produced over 200 documentary films centered on timely social justice issues.

“The Retreat is working to end the cycle of violence by focusing on prevention education. I support The Retreat because I’ve seen what intervention and prevention can do to help those struggling,” noted Scully. “Artemis Rising Foundation was created to transform our culture through the arts, media, and education. I believe we all need to work together and shine a light on uncomfortable social issues, such as family violence and abuse. Almost every family deals with cycles of abuse and trauma at some level. Real recovery begins with awareness, education, and compassion! The Retreat provides this support on so many levels. It is my honor to help in any way I can.”

There will also be an online silent auction that offers something for everyone. Items include a gift certificate to Carrisa’s Bakery, hand-craft artisan table designed and built by woodworker Barry Kreiswirth, two bottles of a hard-to-find, well-cellared classic old Bordeaux, a private tour of The Church in Sag Harbor with April Gornik and a Champagne Toast, 6 VerVino Vermouths from Channing Daughters Winery, two night stay at The Reform Club, Amagansett, Cocktail Party in a Box and signed book from “Caterer to The Stars” Mary Giuliani, SHAN $250 Gift Certificate and Private Shopping Experience, The Best of Nettle Meadow Cheese Package, 1,000 daffodil bulbs, Amali Rose Soiree Wine and Food Class for ten in New York City, one-year family/dual membership to the Parrish Art Museum, Gray Malin Easthampton Acrylic Serving Tray, $1,000 gift certificate to Ryland Life Equipment in Sag Harbor, Arnold Hoffmann Jr. Numbered and Framed Silkscreen: Demo #11, one-hour tennis lesson with Hana Smorova, co-assistant General Manager at Sportime Amagansett, one week of Summer Camp at Bay Street Theater, $250 gift certificate to Eileen Fisher, two hour interior design consultation with Farrin Cary, three bottles of Goslings Family Reserve Old Rum, Mario Luca Giusti Synthetic Crystal Glasses, Roy Lichtenstein’s Temple Offset Lithograph, Edition of 300, two 60-minute in-home private yoga classes for up to six people with Alison Burke, four 1-Hour Psychotherapy Sessions with Beatty Cohan, and much more. The auction officially launches on Wednesday, June 2.

All Against Abuse will start at 6:00 p.m.

Established in 1987, The Retreat provides a safe haven for families in crisis. The non-profit has assisted over 6,000 individuals since its founding. Services offered include a 24-hour bilingual hotline, counseling, legal advocacy, prevention education, and emergency shelter.

During the COVID lockdown, 67 percent of shelter residents were under the age of 12-years-old and 90 percent of clients received multiple services. The request for attorney services increased 17 percent in the first half of 2020, and Retreat advocates have a 90 percent success rate for Orders of Protection.

For more information about The Retreat, visit www.theretreatinc.org. To register for All Against Abuse, visit theretreat.home.qtego.net.