Lavine offers a helping hand to women in need

State Assemblyman Chuck Lavine is organizing a fundraiser for Living Water for Women, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping women who have experienced incarceration or struggled with drug addiction. The event aims to collect essential supplies to support the women residing at the shelter.
Lavine, a long-time supporter of the organization, emphasized the significance of Living Water’s mission. He pointed out that there are few other organizations on the North Shore which do the kind of work that Living Water does.
“The concept of creating a home environment for these women, providing a family and therapeutic setting, is an admirable accomplishment,” Lavine said. “We are now calling on the community to contribute and donate items to support this essential work.”
Founded by Lisa Cohn of Glen Cove in 2010, Living Water for Women has been a beacon of hope for many women in the area since its inception. Cohn’s journey to establish the organization began over two decades ago when she was invited to speak at a Nassau County Jail program focused on drug and alcohol rehabilitation.
“I shared my story, and to my surprise, the women wanted to meet me,” Cohn recalled. “That experience opened my eyes to the recurring cycle of incarceration among these women, and I knew I had to do something.”

Cohn, who sold a business in 2011 to focus on her nonprofit work, found a property in 2012 and took a year to renovate it. Since then, Living Water for Women has welcomed over 250 women, providing them with a structured environment, job opportunities, and a path to reintegration into society.
“About half of the women who come through our doors are successful in turning their lives around,” Cohn said.
One of those success stories is Lisa Barone, a former addict who turned her life around with the help of Living Water for Women. Barone spent eight months in jail, the longest period she had ever been incarcerated.
“That time allowed me to sober up and really clean up my life,” she said. “When I was released, I called my mother, who connected me with Living Water. It was a life-changing decision.”
Barone described her time at Living Water as transformative. She now has two jobs and recently celebrated seven years of sobriety.
“I learned how to be a human being again—how to be considerate, make my bed, and clean the bathroom,” Barone explained. “I really just learned how to live again, if that makes sense.”
Cohn highlighted the importance of community support in sustaining the organization’s efforts. She said that she believed flaws in the legal system not only leads to a failure to rehabilitate many women who go to jail, but also ends up impacting everyone on Long Island.
“Our taxpayer money is funding the cycle of incarceration, costing over $120,000 a year per person. It’s crazy,” she said. “We need more second chances for these women. With the right support, they can become productive members of society.”
Lavine said that this fundraiser is a testament to this belief in second chances. Lavine’s previous fundraiser for the organization, held just before the Covid-19 pandemic, successfully provided six months’ worth of essential supplies.
“The women at Living Water have formed strong relationships with each other and with the volunteers,” he said. “This sense of community is crucial for their reintegration.”
Living Water for Women relies heavily on donations and the support of volunteers. She added that while food and some other goods are easy to come by thanks to the generosity of nearby businesses, it can be a struggle to get other essential goods.
“Trader Joe’s has been a significant contributor, providing us with fresh produce and other food items,” Cohn said. “But we still need items like toilet paper, paper towels, and coffee, which are essential for our day-to-day work.”
Barone, now an advocate for the organization, urged the community to support the fundraiser. She emphasized the transformative impact the organization has had on her life, and how important it is to give other women in the same situation she was the same support.
“Living Water is a special place that offers a lifeline to women who need it most,” Barone said. “I owe everything I have to this organization. It gave me a chance to rebuild my life, and I hope others will help give that same chance to more women in need.”
People who wish to donate to the drive can drop off donations at Lavine’s district office, located at 1 School Street, Suite 303B, in Glen Cove. Donations will be accepted through July 19.
For more information about Living Water for Women and how to support their organization, visit their website LivingWaterForWomen.org or contact their office directly at (516) 759-0643.