New Visions Blog

A rendering of the proposed “Freedom Village” affordable housing complex. JCJ Articteture Governor Kathy Hochul announced that $104 million has been awarded to create or preserve 864 affordable homes in 16 separate developments across New York. A $6.9 million award is for Freedom Village on East 2nd Street in Manhattan's Bowery neighborhood. The development is being constructed on the site of a demolished office and transitional housing building owned by… read more

A series of workshops at The High School of Fashion Industries in New York City about sexual violence, teen relationship abuse and healthy relationships inspired a powerful event (and video above) in 2022. Hannah Johnson, the relationship abuse prevention program coordinator and counselor (RAPP) at the school, worked with the peer leadership club to come up with a creative way to communicate messaging related to *Denim Day with the students. “We learned about Denim Day and students wanted… read more

Barrier Free Living has a history of rich volunteer connections, from corporate groups sprucing up a community room to new supporters like Ashley Cheung.  This past year, Ashley brought a wealth of HR experience to our programs for survivors of domestic violence with disabilities through workshops and 1-1 work.  What inspired you to volunteer at Barrier Free Living? I find purpose in empowering others and became a rape crisis counselor upon moving to NYC… read more

OPEN Host Daren Jaime sits down with the President & CEO of Barrier Free Living, Paul Feuerstein who speaks on the organization receiving the National Crime Victims' Service Award for Professional Innovation in Victim Services for their work supporting survivors of violence who are disabled.… read more

Unsilenced voices began a five month nationwide tour to raise awareness about domestic violence and sexual assault. The events began April 22, 2022. Following events are: July 24 LA, Sept 8 Tampa and Oct. 1 Montclair,NJ Founder/CEO Michelle Jewsburty shares: "I believe that collaboration is the key to sustainable change. We all need to work together to end the problems of domestic violence, sexual abuse and human trafficking. I hope that through these events, we can spread even more awareness and that… read more

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Scott Hess [email protected] DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE RECOGNIZES BARRIER FREE LIVING WITH INNOVATION IN VICTIM SERVICES AWARD WASHINGTON, D.C.  – Barrier Free Living received the National Crime Victims' Service Award for Professional Innovation in Victim Services at a ceremony held April 29 at Constitution Gardens National Park. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland, joined by Deputy Attorney General Lisa O. Monaco, Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta, and Director of the Office of Victims of Crime Kristina… read more

New York City's High School of Fashion Industries is holding a Denim Day Fashion Show on April 29th from 4-6pm with a portion of proceeds going to support Barrier Free Living's work with survivors of domestic violence with disabilities. "We are honored and grateful to be part of this amazing and creative event raising awareness about Denim Day during April's Sexual Assault Awareness month," says Scott Hess, Director of Communications at… read more

Lucrecia Ayala, LMSW is a bilingual Social Worker (Spanish and English) and the Sexual Assault Services Coordinator at Barrier Free Living’s Secret Garden program. She has 10 years’ experience working with teens and adults in community and clinical settings, specializing in crisis services, housing and sexual & public health. She provides individual sexual violence counseling as well as group education. April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month* and this year the theme is Building… read more

In observance of National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (April 24 – 30, 2022) the U.S. Department of Justice, Office for Victims of Crime is raising awareness of victims’ rights and services, highlighting programs, celebrating progress achieved, and honoring victims and the professionals who serve them.  This year’s theme is rights, access, equity, for all victims.  The theme underscores the importance of helping crime survivors find their justice by – ·       Enforcing victims’ rights, ·       Expanding access to services, and ·       Ensuring… read more

Demin Day is April 27th - taking place during Sexual Assault Awareness Month. People are encouraged to wear denim to combat victim blaming and educate others about sexual violence.⁠ The campaign began after a ruling by the Italian Supreme Court where a rape conviction was overturned because the justices felt that since the victim was wearing tight jeans she must have helped the person who raped her remove her jeans, thereby implying… read more

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Barrier Free Living team members Erika Calderon, director of Secret Garden and Cynthia Amodeo, Chief Program Officer presented at the International Conference on Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence and Reimagining Justice in San Francisco April 19-21. The annual conference focuses on sexual assault, intimate partner violence, stalking, human trafficking and elder abuse. Barrier Free Living presents on topics of domestic violence at events throughout the year and offers trainings.  … read more

The City Gardens Club of New York City has awarded a $1,000 grant to Barrier Free Living in support of the tenant rooftop garden at the agency's supportive housing program in the Bronx. "We are so grateful to have the support of City Gardens again this year. Our tenant-led garden club is excited to start planting flowers and vegetables this spring," says Scott Hess, BFL Director of Communications. The garden fosters community building and tenants use produce in cooking classes led… read more

Lucrecia Ayala, LMSW is a bilingual Social Worker (Spanish and English) and the Sexual Assault Services Coordinator at Barrier Free Living’s Secret Garden program. She has 10 years’ experience working with teens and adults in community and clinical settings, specializing in crisis services, housing and sexual & public health. She provides individual sexual violence counseling as well as group education. April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month* and this year the theme… read more

The success of Barrier Free Living's (BFL) recent 40 years of Firsts fundraiser was due in great part to the support of the dedicated fundraising committee. Committee member Nina-Marie Scalera contributed not only dynamic, creative ideas but offered her skills as a bartender/mixologist at the event. We caught up with her to find out what initially drew her to the organization and its mission. BFL: Tell us about what drew you to… read more

Diane (on the right, 2022) with Simone BFL Occupational Therapy Director Diane will always remember Christmas Day 2016. It was the day she lost her sight. She will also never forget June 19, 2020 - the day she found safety from abuse at Barrier Free Living's Freedom House domestic violence shelter. “My children lived with me, and when I lost my sight they took… read more

BFL team members gathered to raise their voices at the NYC City Hall #justpay rally on March 10, 2022. Banners depicted messaging that current NY City & State contracts have resulted in the #AlwaysEssential human services workforce being some of the lowest paid workers in New York’s economy. This MUST end! #JustPay… read more

Governor Kathy Hochul announced that $17.3 million in state funding was awarded to six projects in four counties that will provide emergency and permanent supportive housing to New Yorkers experiencing homelessness. Barrier Free Living, Inc. was awarded $6 million to construct a 13-story building with 44 units of permanent supportive housing that will be part of a larger 75-unit project with 30 units set aside for frail elderly individuals in Manhattan. Learn more about Barrier Free Living and its programs.… read more

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For the second year in a row, survivors of domestic violence with disabilities at Barrier Free Living's programs received gorgeous gift bags prepared by the Valentine Community Project. The project delivered 604 gift bags to various agencies including "residents of 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 response – I never would have… read more

Anne leading a workshop at Barrier Free Living.  In 2000, while working in Victim Services at Harlem Hospital, Anne Markowitz did a presentation at Barrier Free Living (BFL).  That was the beginning of a rich collaboration that continues to this day. "I did that presentation at BFL and was asked to work as a consultant. I was so impressed with the work and mission at the different sites (BFL Programs), I… read more

The "Drivers" club at New York City's Grace Church High School discovered Barrier Free Living online and knew it was the cause they were looking to support. "We collect needed items from our student body and donate the items to organizations and shelters around the city. I stumbled upon your (Barrier Free Living's) website and I found the mission of your shelter to be very impactful and meaningful," says Bella, the leader of the… read more

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Students preparing Halloween goodies.  This October, a group of students at Riverdale Country School decided they wanted to share their Halloween joy. The kids, ages 11-13, discovered Barrier Free Living's programs for survivors of domestic violence with disabilities. They were particularly drawn to the fact that over a hundred children live at the agency's shelter and supportive housing program. The students organized a drive, under the guidance of Nelson Arroyo (English Department, MS Community of Learning… read more