New Visions Blog

Barrier Free Living CEO Cynthia Amodeo recently met with a group from Australia, which included Belinda Mason - Director of Blur Projects, in partnership with the Women’s Electoral Lobby, UNSEEN. The group took a tour of BFL's newest vision Freedom Village.… read more

Barrier Free Living's Occupational Therapy team holds a variety of events and workshops throughout the year, from healthy cooking classes to soap making and a wellness spa. The team shares the focus and purpose of groups this past year: "Our OT Meal Prep 'N Go group is designed to educate our community on useful tips and ideas for healthy and cost-effective food choices that are easy and quick to make at home. In this… read more

Darlene, who was the 2024 the Barrier Free Living Jack Fritts Mission Impact Award honoree, has created another bold, inspiring mural at BFL's Freedom House domestic violence shelter (a portion of the wall mural above). During the past year, this dynamic volunteer has contributed three murals to Freedom House as well as a mural at BFL's Secret Garden program. BFL Team member visited the mural this March.… read more

BFL CEO Cynthia Amodeo, at left in photo above with Alicia Eggert Barrier Free Living (BFL) team members attended the "At a Time Like This" art opening this month at Urban Glass for Alicia Eggert. Alicia, who unveiled renderings of the concept of a neon piece for BFL's Freedom Village (2025) at the agency's recent Journey to Freedom event, spoke of her vision and process during… read more

Insperity hosted a Valentine themed volunteer event this past February at its NYC Midtown office, creating flower bouquets, heartfelt cards, and gifts for children and parents at Barrier Free Living (BFL). Members from Insperity offices across NYC, NJ and Westchester joined the event. BFL's Linette Holmes was the special guest. Insperity shares: This was a volunteer event sponsored by Insperity’s New York based team, through Insperity’s Corporate Citizenship. Insperity promotes a very intentional… read more

Progress continues at Barrier Free Living's newest vision, Freedom Village. The newly constructed Freedom Village will include 75 affordable and supportive apartments for homeless adults in need of services and seniors transitioning out of nursing homes. The topping off event was held in November.… read more

From Top, Before & After photos.  Since its early days in the 1980s working with people with disabilities, Barrier Free Living has been committed to the power of healing through community. Whether it’s a tenant-led garden club at BFL’s supportive housing program in the Bronx, a Denim Day mural project at BFL’s Secret Garden program or an occupational therapy cooking class at the newly… read more

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Special thanks to photographer Candido Maisonave Instagram @imagi_island for sharing these amazing images!!!!… read more

Thanks to everyone who joined Barrier Free Living on "Giving Tuesday", December 3 for our Journey to Freedom event supporting our work with survivors of domestic violence with disabilities. Our incredible staff, board members, supporters, sponsors and most importantly the survivors we work with, came together for a wonderful celebration at New York City's iconic Museum of the City of New York. Journey To Freedom Photo Gallery… read more

Barrier Free Living held its Topping Off event at Freedom Village this week, bringing together staff, supporters, board members and the project teams. Read more about Freedom Village.  Event photos… read more

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A born storyteller, New Jersey native Dorian Palumbo is keen on using data to shape a compelling narrative, a trait that serves her well as Barrier Free Living's (BFL) new Quality Assurance Specialist. The Quality Assurance Specialist will ensure that BFL’s program operations fully comply with regulations and procedures set out by regulatory bodies, governmental entities, and funders. Joining the team in February of 2024, Dorian brings a wealth of life experience… read more

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BFL CEO Cynthia Amodeo is featured in a recent issue of The City: Among the places taking advantage of the generous solar incentives: A New York City domestic violence crisis shelter, which Solar One is helping to outfit with rooftop solar panels, pending permit approvals. The cost is about $132,000, with a lifetime savings of $206,000 and payback within 14 years, according to figures by Solar One. “When we took a look at our… read more

The New York Mets donated 100 tickets to the July 11 Citifield game to Barrier Free Living making for a joyful afternoon at the ball park. Staff, tenants, residents and participants of our programs for survivors of domestic violence with disabilities enjoyed the game, which was a win for the Mets! Adults and kids attended the game, including BFL CEO Cynthia… read more

Barrier Free Living is  featured in a Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation Spotlight Story. Read the story.  The Reeve Foundation Quality of Life Grants Program provides funding to organizations seeking to improve access and services for people with paralysis, including shelters that serve survivors of domestic violence. For more information, visit the website… read more

Barrier Free Living has been endorsed by The Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence (OPDV) as LGBTQ+ inclusive, having met certain LGBTQ+ program standards. The news was part of an announcement by Governor Kathy Hochul noting a $5.4 million investment in the LGBTQ+ community in New York.  Read the press release.  Details from the announcement include: Strengthening LGBTQ+ Inclusive Domestic Violence Programs The LGBTQ+ Endorsement Program, first announced by Governor Hochul as a pilot in June 2022, is dedicated… read more

Volunteer Emersen Panigrahi shares her time and talents with BFL this summer, contributing to our blog for June with an LGBTQIA+ Pride post. Emersen is a current sophomore at New York University. Her academic interests include political science, gender and sexuality studies, and creative writing. Outside of school, she enjoys photography and filmmaking. Emersen has a strong passion for social justice and activism and is grateful to be working with BFL. This June, join us in our celebration of Pride Month… read more

Barrier Free Living (BFL)  is honored to be a Semi-Finalist in the prestigious 4th Annual New York City Imagine Awards. BFL is a Semi-Finalist  for the JP Morgan Chase Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Accessibility (DEIA) Award. "This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire Barrier Free Living team for serving the disabled community and for DEI in all aspects of our lives," says BFL… read more

Barrier Free Living CEO Cynthia Amodeo met with the Cyprus based Association for the Prevention and Handling of Violence in the Family in May. The meeting was held at Barrier Free Living's Freedom House domestic violence shelter where a discussion of domestic violence services and shared goals took place. Learn more. … read more

Barrier Free Living CEO Cynthia Amodeo is featured in the May 10, 2024 PIX11 News story sharing her expertise. View the video.… read more

Barrier Free Living's Freedom House shelter for survivors of domestic violence with disabilities held a special Mother's Day event this week. Entertainer Michelle DellaFave (photo above) headlined the community dinner. Michelle became a familiar face to millions of television viewers in the late 1960s and early '70s through her work each week on Dean Martin’s NBC television series. The event is held annually at… read more

Barrier Free Living (BFL) is excited to congratulate Dr. Michelle S. Ballan on her 2024 National Crime Victims' Service Building Knowledge Through Research Award. On April 25. 2024 Assistant Attorney General Amy L. Solomon and Office for Victims of Crime Director Kristina Rose recognized 8 individuals and organizations for their advocacy, innovation, and research on behalf of victims of crime. “We recognize the individuals and organizations represented here that go above and beyond to assist others in… read more

The teams at Barrier Free Living (BFL) celebrated Denim Day on April 24, 2024 wearing denim and hosting events at BFL's programs for survivors of domestic violence with disabilities. Denim Day NYC is a coalition of survivors, advocates, community organizations, city council members, and city agencies working together to raise awareness about sexual assault. Denim Day NYC hosts events throughout the year… read more

Barrier Free Living CEO Cynthia Amodeo will be part of a presentation during the 2024 Freedom Network USA Beyond the Fundamentals Conference April 18-19 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Freedom Network USA "mobilizes its collective strength to build a transformative approach to human trafficking that is grounded in anti-racism and anti-oppression." The 2024 conference will focus on the specialized approach to serving survivors with varying needs and identities… read more

Barrier Free Living's Erika Calderon, Program Director at Secret Garden, shares her insights on Chuck Kelleher's podcast Why Daddy Never Cries. Chuck says: "Listening to Erika speak, you hear the compassion, the understanding, and the desire to end all domestic violence. Speaking to Erika today has reaffirmed my belief that the system can be changed, fixed, or call it what you will. The fight against all forms of domestic… read more

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