The Retreat’s annual gala raises over $1 million

The Retreat’s annual All Against Abuse Gala drew more than 200 supporters, community leaders, and advocates to a sold-out evening on Saturday, June 6, at the Southampton Arts Center in support of the East Hampton-based nonprofit.

Attendees raised more than $1 million, the most in the event’s history, to sustain The Retreat’s services for survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking, including a 24-hour multilingual hotline, emergency shelter, counseling, legal advocacy, prevention education, and fatherhood training. The record-breaking donation total was made possible in part by a generous anonymous gift to honor the contributions of Gail Rothwell, the organization’s former board president.  

The program was led by gala committee co-chair and longtime Retreat champion Norma Cirincione, alongside executive Director Cate Carbonaro, who emphasized the event’s theme, ‘Purpose and Possibility.’

“Our purpose is clear,” said Carbonaro. “But how do we talk about possibility right now?… Leaving an abusive relationship has never been easy – but right now, for so many, it feels economically impossible.”

Carbonaro underscored the importance of donor support. “Possibility is not naive. It is not looking away. It is what lets you look someone in the worst moments of her life in the eye and say, ‘We are here. Something is better on the other side.'”

One of the evening’s most powerful moments came when guest speaker Michelle Taormina, a survivor who turned to The Retreat years ago in a moment of crisis, took the stage to share her story of healing, resilience, and the life she has built for herself and her family since leaving an abusive partner.

“For nine months, The Retreat became our home. They gave us legal help to fight for custody. Therapy, food, clothing, childcare – even no-cost summer camp for the kids,” Taormina said. “They gave my children stability and dignity when our world felt like it was crumbling.”

This year’s event’s key sponsors and supporters included The Yaffa Foundation; Norma Cirincione; Jackie Mitchell and Michael Goldstein; Ellie Kurrus and Alastair Cairns; Kristen Erickson, Jen Steven & Sixth Street; Susi and Peter Wunsch; Bobbie Braun & The Neuwirth Foundation; and Wright & Co.

Business sponsors included: Art of Eating, Dan’s Papers, Purist magazine, Spark Hamptons, Toyshop Studio; Riverhead Building Supply; Wölffer Estate; and Zabi’s Wines and Spirits.

To learn more about The Retreat, upcoming events, and ways to get involved, visit allagainstabuse.org.