New Visions Blog

The Barrier Free Living team participated in the May 25 Day Without Human Services rally. Over 6,000 people turned out for the rally and 100 organizations participated. The Human Services Council shares: "whether it was shutting down services, sending staff to the rally, sending emails and making phone calls to the Mayor and City Council, or tweeting up a storm on social media. We were a formidable force. Together, we demonstrated… read more

A Pride banner created at BFL in 2019. Barrier Free Living (BFL) will celebrate June's LGBTQIA+ Pride month with a host of activities at its programs for survivors of domestic violence with disabilities. BFL's supportive housing program in the Bronx will host a Pride related two-part "Sip & Paint/Tie Dye Workshop." for tenants. The team shares that "participants will be provided with the option of painting individual canvases or dyeing… read more

Barrier Free Living (BFL) launched its Family Day Kids' Sumer Fun campaign this May. The campaign supports BFL's work with survivors of domestic violence with disabilities and their families, and funds raised will be used for learning center led events with kids, from a trip to the zoo to the splish splash water park. Funds also support future family day community gatherings. The campaign is built on the concept of a family being… read more

Regular collaborator Exhale to Inhale  returns with on demand yoga for the Barrier Free Living team and survivors at our shelter and programs. Exhale to Inhale was "Founded in honor of survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault, Exhale to Inhale provides a powerful, body-based resource for healing from trauma."… read more

Barrier Free Living team members participated in Denim Day (April 26) 2023 attending demonstrations in New York City and by unveiling a quilt made by staff and survivors at its shelter and programs. Denim Day is an annual campaign held in April in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Team members also attended an April 26 tabling event, sponsored by the… read more

Photo from L to R: Tiffany El-Amin, Program Director at The Kira, Diane Mullins, Resilience Award Recipient, Nicole Branca, Executive Director of New Destiny Housing. Photo above and below: Ben Gabbe Photography Former Freedom House resident Diane Mullins received the Resilience Award at the New Destiny Housing 2023 benefit: Building Homes, Building Hope. Accepting the award at the April 20 benefit, Ms. Mullins thanked Freedom House saying "Freedom House connected me to… read more

Barrier Free Living's Occupational Therapy (OT) Program Manager Simone Allen has been named the 2023 Purple Ribbon Award winner in the category of Outstanding Healthcare Professional. "I am so honored to be the recipient of the Purple Ribbon Award for Outstanding Healthcare Professional!" says Simone. "It's so wonderful to see that the hard work that takes place behind the scenes at Barrier Free Living doesn't go unnoticed, and I know… read more

https://vimeo.com/818374516… read more

Inspired by Barrier Free Living's (BFL) work with survivors of domestic violence with disabilities, artist Kitty reached out to the agency this winter ready to make a difference. This spring she will be creating a colorful wall mural at BFL's Freedom House domestic violence shelter. And this March, she is sharing her incredible talents (photos featured above and below) at the New York City art show INTER-RITUALS: Between Materiality and… read more

Tenant's at Barrier Free Living's supportive housing program (BFLA) in the Bronx showcased artwork "exploring past, present and future" at an event held in the community room this March. Participants worked with BFLS's occupational therapy team to create expressive pieces that included varied mediums, from painted pottery to plants and hand painted rearview mirrors. BFL works with survivors of domestic violence with disabilities at… read more

  Adults and kids living at Barrier Free Living's BFLA Apartments supportive housing program in the Bronx celebrated Black History Month with an art show and exhibit. During March, BFLA's newly renovated kid's learning center hosted a series of educational and art activities where the children learned about the life and works of artists Jean Michel Basquiat and… read more

A supporter and collaborator offering weaving classes to survivors of domestic violence with disabilities at our programs, the former SAORI Arts has a new name! BFL is grateful to be featured on the group's partner webpage. SAORI shares: We founded SAORI Arts NYC in 2015 to bring the unique philosophy of SAORI weaving to people of all ages with developmental, physical, or mental disabilities or chronic illness… read more

For the third year in a row, survivors of domestic violence with disabilities at Barrier Free Living’s (BFL) programs received gorgeous gift bags prepared by the Valentine Community Project. The project delivered 160 gift bags to BFL.  Overall the project delivered gift bags to 548 residents at 15 shelters for people fleeing domestic abuse and trafficking Emily Valentine Sottile shares how the project came to be: “The Valentine Community Project is a community… read more

Barrier Free Living's supportive housing program in the Bronx hosted a community-building holiday event for tenants this month. In addition to a "winter wonderland" scene set up for the kids to take photos on the roof garden, tenants were given gingerbread house kits during the gathering which featured a buffet. Barrier Free Living works with survivors of domestic violence with disabilities at our shelter and programs. Learn how to make a… read more

Barrier Free Living's Freedom House domestic violence shelter had a community building event this month with its Freedom Boutique. Simone Allen, Occupational Therapy Program Manager, says the boutique offers "clothing that has been donated by partner organizations and staff to the (Freedom House) residents and their families."  Freedom House also offers 1:1 work with residents at its in-house pantry.… read more

Barrier Free Living CEO/Founder Paul Feuerstein was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the December 6 NYC Advocate Reception hosted by the Mayors Office to End Gender Based Violence at Gracie Mansion in New York City. Cecile Noel, Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office to End Domestic Violence and Gender-Based Violence (ENDGBV), presented the award to Paul for his years of advocacy helping make domestic violence services accessible for all… read more

Participants at Barrier Free Living's (BFL)  Secret Garden domestic violence program received coats, scarves and a community lunch this month thanks to the generosity of the Family Beehive. Family Beehive is a virtual, collaborative community that uplifts and supports women and their families through health and wellness, legal aid, artistic and cultural enrichment, educational and financial support, counseling, and mentorship. The gathering… read more

Staff, tenants and other domestic violence service providers gathered for Barrier Free Living's 5th annual Clothesline Project 2022 on Oct. 20 at our supportive housing program in the Bronx. The amazing BFL Clothesline featured dozens of t-shirts created by tenants, residents and participants from our domestic violence programs. The event, which was in the parking lot area, drew the local community and supporters who were able to create and decorate their own t-shirt with a message relating… read more

An advocate and visionary for survivors of domestic violence with disabilities for over four decades, Paul B. Feuerstein CEO/Founder of Barrier Free Living (BFL) will retire December 30, 2022. Beginning in 1981, Paul was a driving force behind BFL's ground-breaking programs, including Freedom House the nation’s first fully accessible shelter for survivors. He will continue to consult on the agency’s newest vision Freedom Village. "I've been pondering retirement since I… read more

Through its CJII-funded Deaf Services Initiative, over the past three years Barrier Free Living has improved support for deaf survivors of abuse by enhancing communication support and technology, improving collaboration among external service providers, and engaging community partners in deaf-specific trainings and resources. The complete findings and evaluation are linked below. Enhancing Communication & Collaboration to Address Barriers for Deaf Survivors: Evaluation Findings and Policy Recommendations — CUNY Institute for State & Local Governance (ISLG).… read more

Barrier Free Living (BFL) will hold our 5th annual Clothesline Project 2022 on Oct. 20 from 10am-1pm at our supportive housing program in the Bronx. The amazing BFL Clothesline will be on display, featuring t-shirts created by tenants, residents and participants from our domestic violence programs, along with staff and supporters. Each shirt is hand-made and features a heart-felt message about ending domestic violence. The event will feature resource tables and information about supportive services related to… read more

For Immediate Release: Scott Hess [email protected] Barrier Free Living Receives Most Innovative Services Purple Ribbon Award $30,000 in Grants to be Revealed Live on Sept. 21 August 22, 2022 – Barrier Free Living (BFL) received a 2022 Purple Ribbon Award from DomesticShelters.org for Innovative Services at its programs for survivors of domestic violence with disabilities. Cynthia Amodeo, BFL’s Chief Program Officer… read more

As the newest member of Barrier Free Living Apartments learning center team, Edward says he hopes to inspire the kids not only to learn responsibility but to have fun. Born and raised in New York City, Edward joined BFL in 2021 excited to meet new people and experience a different type of work environment. The position has been a great fit. "The joy of working with children is that I get to… read more