East Hampton nonprofit gets $300,000 grant

The Retreat, a nonprofit organization that helps women who are victims of domestic violence, has received a $300,000 federal grant to develop a program that will reach out to men considered at risk of inflicting such abuse.

The Retreat, based in East Hampton, will partner with the Long Island Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence.

Many men who resort to domestic violence and abuse women and children are addicted to drugs or alcohol, according to Retreat officials. The program will focus on educating men and boys about violence prevention and treating the addictions.

Barbara Olton, board president of Retreat, said the program aims to become the cornerstone for stopping such violence.

“This innovative approach brings together state-of-the-art prevention strategies for men and boys at risk for both domestic violence and substance abuse,” she said.