New Visions Blog

Volunteers from Morgan Stanley spent the day painting and gardening at Barrier Free Living's (BFL) transitional housing shelter for people with disabilities on June 10 as part of the Federation of Protestant Welfare's (FPWA) summer corporate service day. The energetic group painted and refurbished a kitchen area and office, as well as weeding and planting the shelter's garden area where residents gather. "These few hours of service impact the… read more

HSU held its 20th Anniversary gala and leadership awards on June 8. Honorees addressing the enthusiastic crowd were: Sean Delany, on behalf of Lawyers Alliance for New York; Christine C. Quinn, CEO of Win & former New York City Council Speaker and CEO; and Christy Parque. President of the Coalition of Behavioral Health Agencies & former Executive Director of Homeless Services United, Inc. Parque, who was given the Legacy Award… read more

In its second week, the BFL Apartments tenant led garden club grew its numbers. Several new members joined, and planting continued. The group chose to order several new larger planters for the roof garden, as well as discussing its first garden club luncheon, planned for late June.… read more

The BFL Apartments team served up a sizzling BBQ for tenants of the complex kicking off the summer season on June 1. Tenants of the family and singles building mingled on the parking lot turned picnic grounds and enjoyed traditional summer fare. The child care team offered face painting, hopscotch and hoola hoop activity for the kids.… read more

BFL Apartments kicked off its tenant Garden Club this memorial day weekend. Working with the occupational therapy team and Director of Communications Scott Hess, the tenant's garden club began their summer meetings on the roof, planting a variety of blooms. The club plans to plant vegetables and additional flowers, as well as having a summer luncheon for its members.… read more

Georgette Delinois, Director of Barrier Free Living's Secret Garden domestic violence program has retired. "After nearly 14 years of service at Barrier Free Living (BFL) as the director of the Non-Residential Domestic Violence Program, AKA Secret Garden, I am happily retiring to be with my family." says Delinois. "I would be remiss if I did not express my gratitude to BFL for the opportunity to work at Secret Garden, to … read more

Barrier Free Living's Occupational Therapy team launched a beading stress management group at the agency's domestic violence programs this May. The group explores "the functions and value of beading as a stress management coping mechanism, to foster creativity, improve communication skills, practice/enhance/develop fine motor-visual perceptual-and cognitive skills, and build a sense of community." There are three bracelet patterns that range from easier to more difficult in order to accommodate each person’s individual skill… read more

Photo of Amanda Deutch: Raymond Adams Parachute Literary Arts has launched a youth poetry library at the Association to Benefit Children in East Harlem. The launch event, held May 16, 2016 4:00-5:30 at the Association's Bistro Room, 1841 Park Avenue at 126th street, will include readings by Poet Sheila Maldonado and ABC Youth. Refreshments will be served. Amanda Deutch , Artistic Director and Founder of Parachute Literary Arts created the youth library. Publishers… read more

Barrier Free Living Transitional Housing shelter residents created floral bouquets for themselves, family and friends this May. The workshop, facilitated by the BFL Occupational Therapy team,  allowed for social engagement and participation, and as a way to celebrate both spring and Mother's Day.… read more

NYU Dental offered an oral health care/dental screening session for tenants of Barrier Free Living Apartments this May. BFL's Nurse Brenda McGriff, who set up the visit, says the session helps stress the importance of dental health and overall self care for families at BFL apartments.… read more

The 8th Annual Handprints of the Heart sponsored by Goldman Sachs took place this month at Freedom House. The event is a celebration of Mother’s Day and includes activities and a lunch with the families at the shelter. The volunteers worked with young shelter residents to create ceramic handprints, t-shirts and jewelry that kids presented to their parents after lunch.… read more

Más de 60 residentes, participantes e inquilinos de los programas de violencia doméstica para personas con discapacidades de Barrier Free Living asistieron a un alegre evento por Spread The Sparkle el 8 de mayo para el Día de la Madre. Celebrada en Home Studios en la ciudad de Nueva York, las madres, los niños y las familias de los programas de BFL fueron tratados a un día de mimos y… read more

Over 60 residents, participants and tenants of Barrier Free Living's domestic violence programs for people with disabilities attended a joyous May 8 Spread The Sparkle Mother's Day event. Held at Home Studios in New York City, mothers, children and families of BFL programs were treated to a day of pampering and appreciation. A buffet lunch was served, the children participated in a talent show, and a special "remember this day"… read more

BFL Apartments tenant Felicia Ridges hopes to further her education and career goals, using the fund raising platform Benevolent. Felicia worked with her social worker David Kwon, posting a video on the site about her journey, from surviving domestic violence to finding her own home. "Felicia's goal is to help others who have experienced similar issues by becoming a drug counselor. Her first step is to get her GED then she… read more

Barrier Free Living (BFL) Apartments welcomed participants of the  National Housing Conference's (NHC) Solutions for Housing Communications conference Mobile Workshop on April 28. Paul Feuerstein, BFL President/CEO welcomed the group along with Thomas Obrzut, BFL Apartments Director and Lenore Warren, Director of Social Services. Mega Construction was also on hand. The group took a tour of a resident apartment and had a Q&A with the BFL Apartments' team. NHC's Solutions for Housing Communications 2016 Convening connects affordable housing developers, advocates, funders… read more

Barrier Free Living will be a participate in St. John University’s 9th Annual Turn Off The Violence week, April 25-27. The Queens campus of St. John’s will  recognize those victims of violence who come from “many different countries, races, religions, and socioeconomic statuses, and to take a stand against all power-based personal violence that often occurs in personal relationships.” Turn off the Violence Week promotes "awareness, empowerment… read more

Shine Foundation held a Spring Soirée / financial fair at Freedom House on April 25 to culminate its month long Financial Engagement workshop for residents at the emergency domestic violence shelter. In addition to celebrating and reaffirming goals set during the 4 week workshop, Shine set up an "Aida's Dare to Dream" booth, and asked residents, staff and volunteers to write down what they "dared to dream" … read more

For over two decades, Malcolm Wattman has been a powerful presence on Barrier Free Living’s board of directors, offering his insights and expertise as well an unshakeable commitment to the agency’s mission. With a career spanning 52 years, including work as an engineer and as a corporate and securities lawyer at Cadwalader, Wickerhsam and Taft, Malcolm officially retired in January of 2015, but his boundless energy and philanthropic commitment to charity… read more

Caelan Manning, a case manager at Barrier Free Living's Secret Garden program,is one of three IRCares Scholarship Grant award winners for 2016. The IRCares Scholarship Grant is an award of $1,000 in unrestricted funds. Three winners are chosen, based on a nomination for the award by another employee from his/her organization. This Grant is designed to recognize the hard work and dedication of direct care and/or support-level workers in nonprofit… read more

For the fourth consecutive year, the Assurant Foundation has awarded Barrier Free Living a $10,000 New Growth Fund grant in support of the agency’s work with severely disabled formerly homeless individuals. Over the years, funds have been used to buy a new stove to feed shelter residents, and to fund initiatives like Barrier Free Living’s successful Project Give Back, where a former shelter resident designs a workshop or project to inspire current shelter residents… read more

“Made in NY”(MINY) Production Assistant Training Program. We are currently accepting applications for the May, 2016 class.Application deadline April 25th at 1pm Sharp.  If you know of anyone who meets the above eligibility requirements, please have them attend a “Made in NY” Information Session at the Brooklyn Navy Yard in Building 92 on Monday at 1pm Sharp. Info Sessions take place weekly. Last opportunities to apply for May Training: ***April 18th & April 25th @1pm*** To get to BLDG 92: Enter the… read more

Denim Day NYC held its campaign video release party and fashion show on April 13, 2016. The packed event, held at Lereve in Manhattan, included a denim day fashion show, raffle and showing of a special Denim Day video. Denim Day NYC is a coalition of community agencies, elected officials, students, and volunteers united to promote awareness around the issue of sexual assault. Denim Day grew out of a case in… read more

Heralded Artexpo NY Artist Socrates Marquez rolled out a red carpet welcome to the residents, participants and tenants of Barrier Free Living's programs on April 14. Socrates, who did a live painting demo on the opening day of the expo weekend, gave free tickets and a warm welcome to BFL's programs for people with disabilities and disabled survivors of domestic violence. More… read more

Each April, the federal Office for Victims of Crime helps lead communities throughout the country in their annual observances of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW), which will be observed April 10–16, 2016. This year’s theme -Serving Victims, Building Trust, Restoring Hope – underscores the importance of early intervention and victim services in establishing trust with victims, which in turn begins to restore their hope for healing and recovery. NYC events include: On April 10, 2016:  The Center Against Domestic Violence – designated… read more

Denim Day NYC and Outsmart BK are hosting a video release party at LeReve in NYC Wednesday April 13th from 6pm-9pm. Scott Hess, Director of Communications at Barrier Free Living, is a Denim Day NYC Board Member at large. DENIM DAY NYC AND OUTSMART BK PRESENT DENIM DAY NYC HAPPY HOUR WEDNESDAY APRIL 13, 2016 6PM-9PM LeReve 125 East 54th Street… read more

Scooter LaForge, whose much sought-after one of a kind made to order garments have been worn by stars from Madonna to Rihann and Beyonce', donated a hand painted T-shirt to Denim Day NYC on behalf of Barrier Free Living. The shirt will be part of a silent auction at a Denim Day NYC event in April. Scott Hess, BFL Director of Communications and a Denim Day NYC board member at large, names Scooter as a great supporter of the agency's… read more

Rick Davy, founder and Executive Director of the BK Style Foundation, Monica Watkins, Ford Model and founder of anti-trafficking organization Beauty for Freedom have partnered with Steps to End Family Violence in creating the Denim Day NYC #IAmNotInvisible Video and Photographic Campaign raising awareness for the survivors of sexual and domestic violence. Launching April 2016, the campaign’s mission is to engage New Yorkers in the fight to end sexual and domestic violence and to raise funds and awareness for Denim Day… read more

Nyle DiMarco has already accomplished several firsts. The model, actor and activist was not only the first Deaf contestant to appear on (and win) American's Next Top Model (Cycle 22)  he is now wowing the judges as the first Deaf contestant on Dancing with the Stars. A native New New Yorker, Nyle was born into a large multi-generational Deaf family and is an alumni of Gallaudet University, the only… read more

About a dozen Freedom House team members participated in a 4-week ASL workshop this spring. Caelan Manning, a Barrier Free Living case manager, ran the workshop. The goal was to educate and inform staff about working and interacting with the Deaf community. Manning hopes that "staff will be able to use what they've learned in emergency situations, and also in general to show some kind of unity and acceptance with/of the Deaf community."… read more

Team members from Barrier Free Living's Secret Garden and Freedom House programs participated in the Department of Women & Gender Studies at Hunter College's  Grassroots Democracy & Community Fair on March 29. The Fair introduces the Hunter community to progressive community organizations  that aim to transform the lives of people, especially women and children, by supporting, educating, activating and organizing people around crucial issues, such as the epidemic of gender based violence, the lack of living wages, the stalling… read more