Photo: Commissioner Christina Curry (center) of the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD) at BFL’s Freedom Village with Cynthia (at right). 

Barrier Free Living CEO Cynthia Amodeo shares the agency’s year in review. 

As we close out 2025, Barrier Free Living reflects with pride on a year of extraordinary growth and resilience.

Against a backdrop of rising housing costs and increased demand for services, our teams responded with innovation, compassion, and unwavering dedication. Each program—Freedom House, BFL Apartments, Secret Garden, and Freedom Village—demonstrated exceptional commitment to survivors of domestic violence and people with disabilities. Together, we strengthened safety, expanded services, and continued building communities of healing and hope.

Freedom House

Freedom House celebrated a year of major accomplishments, all rooted in our commitment to providing safety, stability, and opportunity for survivors and their families.

Solar panels were successfully installed, a milestone that will reduce electricity costs and allow us to reinvest those savings directly into resident services. Our case management team placed residents into permanent housing at a higher rate than in previous years, reflecting their dedication and the strength of partnerships across the city. The clinical team worked diligently to ensure every resident remained safe throughout their stay at the shelter.

Despite the challenges of an aging building, our maintenance team kept the facility operating smoothly, swiftly preparing units for new households seeking safety. During an unexpected audit, Freedom House received excellent feedback, with auditors noting that we were “audit ready”—a testament to the team’s exceptional daily work and organizational excellence.

Freedom House by the Numbers (CY 2025, excluding December):

– 418 total clients received shelter services

– 260 children and youth under 18 (62%)

– 7.42% of residents identified as LGBTQIA+

– 97.13% of residents identified as BIPOC

These numbers reflect our deep commitment to serving the most marginalized survivors in our community. Freedom House continues to be a place of refuge, healing, and new beginnings for hundreds of survivors each year.

Barrier Free Living Apartments (BFLA)

BFL Apartments celebrated a year of growth, renewal, and strengthened community—culminating in our 10-year anniversary. A decade of providing safe, accessible housing to survivors with disabilities represents more than just time; it represents hundreds of lives transformed, families stabilized, and futures reclaimed.

We relaunched the Learning Center with two additional staff members, expanding our capacity to serve children and families with enrichment, educational support, and programming. This investment in our youngest residents recognizes that healing happens across generations.

We also celebrated internal staff growth, promoting three team members—one into Senior Leadership and two others into Leadership roles. These promotions reflect our commitment to developing talent from within and ensuring continuity of care for our residents.

BFLA Resident Snapshot (CY 2024):

– 173 residents served

– 128 are adults 21 and over,  and 45 are children

– Average length of stay is 3257 days, or 8.9 years

This year reflects both a strengthened foundation and a vibrant, resilient community at BFLA—one that will continue growing and serving for decades to come.

Secret Garden

Secret Garden continued its mission of providing accessible, trauma-informed counseling and case management to survivors of domestic violence living in the community. As a lifeline for survivors who may not need shelter but urgently need support, Secret Garden met increased demand with creativity and compassion.

Throughout the year, the program served an average of 145 clients and just under 300 for the calendar year, providing individual counseling, safety planning, and connection to resources. The calming room remained a meaningful resource for grounding and healing, while monthly activity groups helped clients build community and reduce isolation.

Our outreach expanded significantly this year. Staff represented BFL at numerous tabling events and speaking engagements, including universities, community centers, and health organizations, ensuring that survivors know where to turn for help.  We partnered with the Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence (OPDV) providing 10 in person and 2 virtual trainings throughout New York State to bring awareness to the intersection of disability and domestic violence.

The team facilitated a variety of support groups tailored to diverse needs: Men Have Feelings Too, PTSD Skills Group, and Parenting Journey—a 12-week curriculum that all enrolled participants completed, demonstrating the power of sustained, supportive programming.

With OPDV flex funds received in 2025, Secret Garden provided direct financial assistance to clients, covering critical expenses such as education, food, clothing, utilities, home needs, and rental arrears. For survivors working to rebuild their lives, this flexible support often made the difference between crisis and stability.

Secret Garden remains a lifeline of emotional support, safety planning, and empowerment for survivors across New York City.

Freedom Village

This year marked an extraordinary milestone: the completion of construction at Freedom Village, BFL’s newest supportive housing residence for survivors with disabilities and seniors.

Construction was completed in September 2025, and we proudly began welcoming our first tenants to this 74 unit building designed specifically to meet the needs of survivors seeking permanent, accessible housing. Every detail—from wider doorways to accessible kitchens and bathrooms—was planned with dignity and independence in mind.

Early move-ins have gone smoothly, supported by a dedicated staff team ensuring tenants feel welcomed and prepared for this next chapter. Tenants have already begun engaging in onsite services, including case management, community-building activities, and wellness support. Freedom Village represents not just housing, but a home—a place where survivors can finally put down roots and build the futures they deserve.

Looking Ahead

Across all programs, 2025 was a year defined by growth, innovation, and unwavering commitment to the people we serve. The dedication of our staff—from clinicians and case managers to maintenance teams and administrative leaders—continues to move our mission forward every single day.

As we enter 2026, we remain steadfast in our belief that safety, dignity, and freedom are possible for all survivors. We are grateful to our supporters, partners, and community members who make this work possible. Together, we will continue creating pathways to healing, stability, and hope.