New Visions Blog

View Barrier Free Living's special Mother's Day Message!… read more

Hearts of Gold, which sponsors BFL's Freedom House Emergency Shelter,  was featured on the May 6th TODAY Show (NBC) in a special segment in honor of Mother’s Day entitled HOPE TO IT. The Hearts of Gold mission is to “foster sustainable change in lifestyle and levels of self-sufficiency for homeless mothers and their children. ” Learn more.… read more

Today, the New York City Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC) voted to enact a 30 cent surcharge in a plan to make 50 percent of all New York City cabs wheelchair accessible by the year 2020. The surcharge will apply to all taxicab rides beginning in the year 2015 in order to fund the purchase and conversion of accessible cabs. The American Association of People with Disabilities (AAPD), the nation’s largest disability rights organization, lauded the move as an important step… read more

Mentee Recruitment has begun, for Disability Mentoring Day (DMD) 2014 as part of the NYC Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD). DMD is scheduled to take place on Wednesday, October 15, 2014. Mentees sought: People with disabilities who are: Vocational job placement clients Experience ready consumers College students High school upper classman (juniors and seniors) Veterans Mentees will learn and experience: Job networking workshops, seminars and opportunities Job shadowing with an employer (mentor), internship development assistance Career exploration and informational interview opportunities with an employer (mentor) Resume… read more

Police Commissioner William J. Bratton was the keynote speaker at the 5th Annual Denim Day NYC Rally on April 23. The event is a citywide initiative to raise awareness about sexual violence. Events are held in all five boroughs and included a panel discussion on "Empowering Men To Speak Out Against Sexual Violence" at Fordham College. More info.… read more

After a brief hiatus, HSC's weekly radio show, Human Services News and Views will return onThursday, May 8 at 5:30 pm on a new station, WVOX 1460AM. The series will be hosted by HSC's Allison Sesso and Michelle Jackson. Fred Scaglione of the New York Nonprofit Press will be joining weekly to discuss the latest events in the world of human services. The program recaps human services news, highlights upcoming events, examines local and national human services issues, and features… read more

In March, Georgette Delinois, Program Director at BFL's Secret Garden, was part of a group from St. Anastasia church in Teaneck NJ that joined the Mobile Mission 4 Haiti on a Medical/Dental/Mental Health mission. The group delivered adult and children’s underwear, dolls, Enfamil, Ensure, Similac, vitamins and energy bars. The doctors saw over two thousand people… read more

Dare To Dream, a Spring Boutique showcasing products created and sold by Freedom House Emergency Shelter Residents drew an overflow crowd of supporters on April 17. This special invite only event, attended by residents of the domestic violence program as well as BFL Board Membes and Community Partners, was the finale of an entrepreneurial workshop and could be the first step towards a lifelong business dream. Guest speakers included New York University… read more

ABC Reports: Amy Purdy had a typical childhood until losing her legs at 19 as a result of Meningitis, which has led to an adulthood of extraordinary accomplishments, including being an inspiration for people with disabilities as a competitor on ABC's Dancing with the Stars. Currently training for the 2014 Paralympic Games in Sochi, Russia, she is the top ranked adaptive snowboarder in the U.S. and three-time World Cup Para-snowboard winner. Purdy is the Co-Founder of Adaptive Action Sports, a non-profit… read more

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) celebrates Fair Housing Month every April to mark the passage of the Fair Housing Act. This law prohibits housing discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex,disability and family status. This year's theme is "Fair Housing Is Your Right: Use It!" HUD and communities around the country are recognizing Fair Housing Month by raising awareness about housing rights. Read more here.… read more

Generous donations throughout the year (like the toys pictured, from supporter Rachel Adams) bring joy and hope to the children of Barrier Free Living's (BFL) Domestic Violence programs. To learn more about how to support, volunteer or participate in BFL events email [email protected].… read more

An educator in professional development and community outreach at the New Museum in NYC,   Jane Hsu has created a dynamic new art workshop for the residents of Freedom House Emergency Shelter, with a possible art show in the works. Jane shares how she got involved at the domestic violence program, and her plans for the group. How did you learn about Freedom House, and what drew you to volunteer and facilitate… read more

RedRover, a national nonprofit organization based in Sacramento, California, and Amie’s Place Foundation, a Foundation that funds organizations that create programs dedicated to keeping families and pets together in times of crisis, have partnered to create co-sheltered housing for families and pets at domestic violence shelters across the country. This first-of-its-kind grant from Amie’s Place Foundation will provide $6,000 to RedRover’s Safe Housing grants program in 2013 and $3,000 to each family violence shelter that applies and qualifies for an… read more

Adopt A Mom will deliver gifts to mothers at Barrier Free Living's domestic violence programs this May, bringing joy and hope to the residents and consumers. Adopt a Mom is dedicated to raising awareness of domestic violence against mothers and supporting efforts to better their own lives and those of their children. The Adopt a Mom program started in 2010 as a grassroots effort to raise money to… read more

The Human Services Council Reports:  The State budget includes funding and language for salary adjustments for direct care workers for the first time in six years. The Budget includes $13 million growing to $122 million to support a 2% salary increase on January 1, 2015 and another 2% salary increase on April 1, 2015 to the lowest paid direct care workers. While the amount included for this year is low relative to the amount that would be needed for a full COLA, this allocation represents… read more

Barrier Free Living's mission film, created by filmmaker Blake Drummond, is featured on the CVS Caremark You Tube Page as a Grantee Spotlight. View the film. A CVS Caremark Community Grant supports Barrier Free Living and its mission to help people with disabilities reach their fullest potential… read more

The Commons Online reports: Here in the U.S., one in five employed adults is the victim of domestic violence, and 74 percent of employed battered women say they’re harassed by their partners while at work. In fact, in a recent national survey, 44 percent of all employees reported that their workplace was impacted by domestic violence, mostly because a coworker was a victim. Read the article. The Business of Me offers a FREE White Paper titled “Domestic Violence Goes… read more

Henry Street Settlement will hold its Town Hall Meeting April 6 from 230-5PM at 301 Henry Street in New York City. Discussions will include topics involving: jobs, housing, education, and more. Workshops will be offered in Spanish and Chinese. Dinner is served. For info click here or call 212 766 9200… read more

Gabriel Gonzalez shares how Barrier Free Living helped him get off of the street and find safe, permanent housing, along with hope for the future.… read more

Jeremy Reitmaier and Amber Brust of Red Eye visited Barrier Free Living's Transitional Housing program this week, a first step for BFL towards its plans for an agency fund raiser. The visit included a tour of the program, which offers safe shelter and case management for people with disabilities, as well as a meeting with Transitional Housing resident Gabriel Gonzalez. Gonzalez recently secured permanent housing with the help of BFL housing team… read more

Grace Drums began a four-part drumming workshop for participants of Barrier Free Living's Secret Garden Domestic Violence program this March. Gabriella Dennery, Founder and Artistic Director of Grace Drums,  (pictured) along with Arlene Hall, facilitate the workshop where participants  learn about drums, rhythm and ultimately provide an outlet for expression. Formerly a practicing primary care physician, and now a full time performer and music teacher, Gabriella says she had… read more

The March issue of Currents (New York City  Chapter, National Association of Social Workers)  features an article from Barrier Free Living CEO Paul Feuerstein, "Bringing Frontline Workers Into the Forefront: A Progressive Method of Organizational Management." The Editor notes: The work environment for social work practice needs to be an  expression of the value of social work. It assures open communication not just from the top down but from the bottom up, so that those in management  and administration understand what… read more

Good News Network Reports: A little store in a Hollister, Missouri shopping center is offering the basic needs -- clothing, hygiene items and baby supplies -- at incredible prices. They're all free. The shop, called Selfless Blessings, was started by Andrea Berdine after she witnessed a thrift store turning away a man who asked if he could have one of their coats. Read the story.… read more

CBS Reports: Most are familiar with the heartwarming videos of a child in a classroom or at a sporting event surprised by the unexpected return of a parent serving in the military overseas. What those videos don't show is the struggle many families undergo after years of separation. Martha Teichner takes a look at the toll war takes on the children of warriors. View the Video.… read more

‘Sugar’ is a poignant and entertaining film with charitable purposes. The critically acclaimed movie brings attention to youth homelessness, a little known yet rapidly growing issue. Money raised from the production will go towards feeding homeless youth across America. Shenae Grimes, from the TV series 90210, stars as Sugar, a young woman living homeless in Venice Beach following the tragic death of her family from a car accident. Learn more… read more

The Huffington Post reports: On Feb. 6, the first day of New York Fashion Week designer Carrie Hammer featured Danielle Sheypuk, Ms. Wheelchair New York 2012 in her runway show. "People with disabilities are an untapped consumer market in terms of fashion," said Sheypuk, a clinical psychologist in New York. "We read the magazines, shop in stores, but nothing is ever pitched to us." Sheypuk, who has used a wheel chair since age 2, said she has a longstanding… read more

The Board of Directors of the Human Services Council of  New York (HSC) has announced that Executive Director Michael Stoller is stepping down as of  March 3, 2014. Deputy Executive Director Allison Sesso has been appointed as the new  executive director of HSC, a nonprofit membership organization that advocates for New York  City and State nonprofit human services providers. View the press release.… read more

Into the Light a documentary about the groundbreaking Matheny Arts Access Program, whose innovative techniques and methodology make possible the creation of fine art by people with disabilities, has been accepted into the 12th Annual Garden State Film Festival. Three of these artists, painter Chris Saglimbene, choreographer Natalia Manning,and writer Jenny Durr, are profiled as they create work for the milestone Arts Access 15th anniversary Full Circle showcase. In the process, we learn of their past struggles, current creative… read more

In The Name of Love is an international art exhibition that brings awareness to the issues of gender-based violence. The exhibit is currently on display in Hays and in Lawrence, Kansas and the online version can be viewed here. This powerful exhibition is the product of a partnership between two violence prevention organizations, one from Kansas, USA and one from Namibia, Africa. Despite the geographical differences, Jana’s Campaign and Victims2Survivors agree that ‘In the Name of Love’… read more

Nicole Lesser, Program Director of Barrier Free Living's Freedom House Emergency Shelter will be on hand to introduce the films,  A Life with Aspergers (a short) and Stand Clear of the Closing Door (pictured above) at 5 p.m. on March 6 at The 6th Annual Reel Abilities Film Festival. The films are being shown at Hunter College Silberman School of Social Work. ReelAbilities: NY Disabilities Film Festival is the largest festival… read more