Dodgers Manager Joe Torre's "Safe At Home Foundation"

Aimee Herd : Nov 20, 2009
JoeTorre.org, MLB.com

"People equate making a lot of money with success. To me, success is being able to be there for your children, and to have them grow up with terrific self-esteem?"

Although LA Dodgers Manager Joe Torre has relocated to the west coast, he was back in New York, recently, for a fundraising gala event to benefit the charity he founded: Safe At Home Foundation. (Photo: MLB.com)

The organization exists to provide a safe house, education and help for young people who live in abusive homes.

Torre relates in a video on his website, about his own experience growing up with an abusive father. He tells how he used to go to a friend's house if he saw his dad's car in the driveway.

"I envied people who grew up in a happy household, whose parents got along and were there hugging all the time. I connected my dad? with fear. I felt secure playing baseball; that was a place I could go hide?

"Growing up, I thought my mom's job was?to be there for me. [She put] food on the table, there was a hug, there was warmth. I wanted other children to benefit from what I benefitted from with my mom?my mom's name was Margaret. [So], we created Margaret's Place, [where] we provide a counselor, we provide a safe haven [for a child to] read a book or play a game. Now I'm proud to say we have 10 Margaret's Places. What we want to get across, among other things, is that you're not alone.

"People equate making a lot of money with success. To me, success is being able to be there for your children, and to have them grow up with terrific self-esteem. ?Feeling good about themselves, and being open."

Also present at the gala, to help promote Torre's Safe At Home Foundation, were Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera, Andy Pettitte, Jorge Posada, Hideki Matsui, Melky Cabrera and Robinson Cano, of the 2009 World Champion NY Yankees; Torre's former team.

To learn more about the Safe At Home Foundation and Margaret's Place, CLICK HERE.