New Visions Blog

For the second consecutive year, the Assurant Foundation has awarded Barrier Free Living with a $10,000 New Growth Fund grant in support of the agency's work with severely disabled formerly homeless individuals. The Assurant Foundation, which funded BFL's purchase of a new stove to serve the 48 residents of the Transitional Housing program in 2013, awarded  a second grant to "further enhance the incredible work of Barrier Free Living."… read more

Barrier Free Living is participating on AmazonSmile, the shopping site where portions of purchases are donated to the buyer's charity choice. AmazonSmile is listed as: "A simple and automatic way for you to support your favorite charitable organization every time you shop, at no cost to you. When you shop at smile.amazon.com, you’ll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase… read more

Philadelphia state Rep. Brendan Boyle to introduce legislation to strengthen domestic-abuse laws in a state that tallied 141 domestic-violence deaths in 2012, according to the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence. Read more here.… read more

Disability Scoop reports: Some of Broadway’s most iconic theaters are agreeing to make sweeping changes to improve accessibility for people with disabilities under a settlement with federal prosecutors. Nine Broadway theaters will eliminate more than 500 accessibility barriers in their restrooms, concession counters, waiting areas and box offices under a deal announced Wednesday to address violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Read the article.… read more

The first annual Soulful Closet Sale was held Jan. 23, with a portion of proceeds going to BFL’s  award winning Secret Garden program for people with disabilities who have experienced domestic violence. Event organizer Lori (Dame) Sutherland, pictured at right with Secret Garden Assistant Director Denise Baker (center) and Secret Garden Director Georgette Delinois (left) was thrilled to create the event featuring one of a kind sale items. Yael Yekutiel was… read more

New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence reports: Awareness months provide an opportunity to coordinate efforts that bring attention to specific issues. February is the time to get the word out about teen dating violence (TDV). The following are some resources that can help you with your efforts throughout February as well as all year long!  Visit the TDVAM website to learn about the issue and to check out resources and innovative ideas for engaging youth.  Campaigns and events… read more

Scott Hess, Organizational Development Manager and part of the HR/ODT Team at Barrier Free Living, has been accepted into the Columbia University Developing Leaders Program for Nonprofit Professionals, March 2014. "I'm excited to be part of the intensive program. As an agency, Barrier Free Living is in the midst of amazing growth and crucial change and this program allows me to reach higher as a part of the leadership team," said Hess. Hess… read more

Kessler Foundation sponsored a coat drive for BFL's Freedom House Emergency Shelter, donating warm coats to the families at the facility. Several hundred coats were received, said Occupational Therapy Coordinator Patricia Motus, who added that "It was amazing. Residents came and everyone found a coat that fit them perfectly. It looked like the coats were made for them." Freedom House is nationally recognized as the first fully accessible emergency shelter for disabled victims of domestic violence and their families. Kessler… read more

DeafHope is seeking entries for its 11th Annual Glimmer of Hope: Lavender Film Festival 2014 – Lights.. Camera.. ACTIVISM! The entry Deadline: February 10, 2014 at 12:00 Noon Pacific. Entry form here.… read more

CNN Reports:  On Veterans Day, former Army special ops officer Gary Linfoot took a brisk stroll around the Statue of Liberty. That's remarkable because Linfoot is a paraplegic -- injured while on one of his many tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. He's been wheelchair-bound and paralyzed below the waist since 2008. But new technology has offered Linfoot the opportunity to walk again.It's possible because of a kind of wearable robot -- a full-body apparatus developed by California-based Ekso Bionics… read more

A Winter Wonder Land event, funded by Events by Secrets catering and the Harlem Children's Zone (HCZ) was held at BFL's Freedom House emergency shelter. Events by Secrets provided Freedom House families brunch, a  hot dog cart,  popcorn cart and gifts. Harlem Children Zone provided gifts,a  cookie decorating table and arts and craft for the children as well.… read more

The first annual Soulful Closet Sale will be held Jan. 23, with a portion of proceeds going to  BFL's  award winning Secret Garden program for people with disabilities who have experienced domestic violence. Lori (Dame) Sutherland, who organized the event says: "We will be selling prized outfits, shoes, accessories and jewelry – either brand new (with tags!), or gently worn (and are in beautiful condition). From Banana Republic to Laboutins, darlings!… read more

Christy Parque, Executive Director at Homeless Services United was interviewed live on the nationally syndicated show Aljazeera America about the next steps the new administration can take to begin addressing homelessness. You can view the interview here .… read more

DNAInfo New York  reports: A food truck fit for the Midtown lunch crowd has started feeding the homeless and hungry in the East Village. Soul Food Truck, a new initiative of Middle Collegiate Church on Second Avenue and East Seventh Street, serves savory free meals including fried chicken and collard greens to anyone who steps up to its window in Tompkins Square Park on Sunday afternoons. Read the story.… read more

NY1 reports about an award-winning new documentary exploring the challenges people with disabilities face in the work force, and the growing movement to get companies to employ them. The documentary "A Whole Lott More," which won the audience award at the Hot Docs Film Festival, is a rare look inside a factory in Toledo, Ohio called Lott Industries. It's unique because since 1956, it primarily employs people with disabilities. Read more.… read more

Lebanon County Domestic Violence Intervention wants to fill 100 SHARP kits, which stands for “stalking, harassment and rape prevention.” January is National Stalking Awareness Month. Read the story here. … read more

BFL's award winning Secret Garden program for people with disabilities who have experienced domestic violence has launched a S.P.E.A.K. (Strength. Positivity.Empathy.Action.Kindness.) workshop aimed at building a sense of "self, confidence, awareness and gut feelings." Topics range from safety planning to mind-body connections. Info: [email protected]… read more

Disability Scoop reports: The number of federal workers with disabilities is on the rise, with a new report finding that such employment has reached its highest level in more than three decades. The U.S. Office of Personnel Management said in a report released Thursday that the nation’s largest employer added 16,653 new employees with disabilities during the 2012 fiscal year, bringing the total to nearly 220,000. Read the full story here. … read more

Lucille Obarzanek had the education and the drive to get ahead in her career. What she lacked was experience, something her 2013 internship at Barrier Free Living (BFL) provided. “I was having a hard time finding a job. I had finished the certificate program in accounting at Baruch College in April but I did not have on the job experience,” said Lucille. “I wanted book keeping experience and to also… read more