T.J. Simers: Joe Torre, witness to domestic abuse, helps others to manage

Ali & Joe are a team now, combining their efforts to end the cycle of abuse and doing so with Safe at Home, a foundation designed to focus on the education of children.

Maybe surprisingly short on self-esteem, honesty comes easily to Torre, telling his story so maybe someone else’s life might take a turn.

“We can make a difference,” he says.

Ali is the brains behind the foundation and obviously the beauty as well. She has her focus on L.A. now, and a plan to introduce three safe rooms to schools by September—a considerable task given the $300,000 price tag that comes attached for each.

Each safe room has a professional counselor trained in domestic violence intervention while also serving as a haven, if only a place to read or play.

“Our message,” Ali says, “is you are not alone, it’s not your fault and we’re here to help.”

They’ve already done so, 10 safe rooms, known as “Margaret’s Place” in honor of Joe’s mom, in New York-area schools as well as a pair of justice centers.

“I was speaking to a class in the Bronx and we were doing a video for the foundation,” Torre says. “I was explaining why the camera was there, I told them how I grew up afraid of my dad.

“I looked around the room and there were about 12 kids nodding their heads.”