Colleen Merlo, LMSW — Executive Director of LIADV (Photo: L.I. Against Domestic Violence)
Spotlight

LI Against Domestic Violence holds annual gala

L.I. Against Domestic Violence, the region’s leading nonprofit assisting victims of abusive relationships, held its 43rd annual gala last week.

The Purple Tie Celebration Gala at Villa Lombardi’s in Holbrook helped raise money for the cause and honored two big supporters of the group’s efforts: Carol Hlavac, a Mary Kay Foundation ambassador and Raffelina Cipriano, a Primerica insurance representative and chairwoman of the Suffolk County Women’s Business Enterprise Coalition.

Founded in 1976 as the Long Island Woman’s Coalition, L.I. Against Domestic Violence provides a range of services that help over 14,000 Long Island adults and children each year to escape from abusive relationships and build new lives. The nonprofit is a regional pioneer in empowering victims and survivors, providing them with shelter and support and working with law enforcement and the community to prevent abuse.

Photo: L.I. Against Domestic Violence