The Pierre was the setting for a truly exceptional event - the annual HELP USA Domestic Violence Survivor Luncheon. The organization, founded by Attorney General hopeful Andrew Cuomo, provides support services to victims of abuse and the homeless.

CNN and Court TV's Nancy Grace presented 14 violence survivors with a laptop computer and a $3,000 scholarship to pursue their own educational and professional goals. New York notables Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, Yankees Manager Joe Torre, and L'Oreal's Candace Matthews were honored for their roles in aiding those who have suffered from domestic abuse. Torre spoke of his own experience, recalling, "I was raised in a violent home, but my father never abused me… My dad was a cop." Sen. Clinton added, "My husband had a similar experience … When I met Bill's mother … she'd been beaten and shot at … this can happen to a baseball player and a President."

Former Gov. Mario Cuomo drew a chuckle or two from the crowd. "My son [Andrew] is known as, 'The Honorable' before his name. I lost one election and they dropped the word 'honorable.'"

Lending a supportive hand: Emcee Marcia Gay Harden, Kenneth Cole and Maria Cuomo Cole, Charles Grodin, Henry Schleiff, and Patricia Duff. In 20 years, over 150,000 individuals have been able to make a fresh start, thanks to HELP….