New Visions Blog

BFL's May 2 website launch party was a smash hit. Highlights included the premiere of filmmaker Blake Drummond's BFL Mission film, live music by the duo Jake and John and mingling with the dynamo web development team from Coa Design.… read more

A generous donation from Banco Popular gave a boost to Barrier Free Living’s Mother’s Day/Women’s Day Empowerment event this May. Sugar Sweet Sunshine Bakery also donated cupcakes to sweeten things up at the gathering. The celebration draws residents and consumers from BFL’s Secret Garden and Transitional Housing Programs. In addition to group activities, live entertainment and food, there is a special gift giveaway and floral… read more

This issue of the OPDV Bulletin catches everyone at a busy time: it is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and April 22 – April 28th is National Crime Victims’ Rights Week… read more

For our first New Visions blog post, President/CEO Paul Feuerstein explores two new initiatives meant to strengthen the agency “as we face the continuing challenges of domestic violence and homelessness with (at best) the same level of financial resources that we have had in past years.” Mission Based Management Six years ago, we began a transition to Mission-based Management, a system developed by Peter Brinkerhoff who has dedicated his career to making not-for-profit organizations more mission-productive. I was introduced to… read more

The internationally hailed new Dialog in the Dark exhibit at South Street Seaport leads visitors through a series of New York City environments in complete darkness, relying on blind and visually-impaired guides. Exhibit-goers will "see NYC" and visit well know landmarks without the sense of sight while armed with an authentic walking cane… read more

The non profit group Next Step launches its first annual Wheelchair for a Day challenge this May. The campaign asks able-bodied folks, including celebrities and athletes, to spend a full day in a wheelchair and experience first-hand the reality of living with paralysis. Wheelchair for a Day kicks off in conjunction with National Physical Fitness… read more

Barrier Free Living former consumer Alejandrina Cruz was quoted in an article about domestic violence in New York. As the city budgets decrease, domestic violence programs become more valuable to the community. Here is an excerpt from the article: Alejandrina came to Barrier Free Living in 2009 while trying to escape an abusive significant other. The group helped her transition from living in a shelter to finding an apartment of her own. They also provided her with counseling and case management, guiding… read more

Transitional Housing will re-launch the Moving On resident newsletter this summer, and plans are underway for a Moving On Blog. BFL’s Occupational Therapy team is steering the project, working with residents to create content and re-imagine the design. John Aliseo, former Transitional Housing resident and Editor of the newsletter in 2010, is also on board as a volunteer. “The newsletter has an empowering affect on residents,” said Aliseo. “Residents enjoy contributing. It can renew energy.”… read more

BFL’s Freedom House Emergency Shelter collaborated with New York University Professor Alisha Ali on a photo club for residents this spring. The five-week workshop was facilitated by NYU students. Freedom House Residents learned photography basics, and completed weekly “self expression” assignments using visual art as an outlet.… read more