New Visions Blog

Barrier Free Living's Supportive Housing program in the Bronx continues to accept applications as the facility moves toward an opening date. There are 50 units of Family Supportive Housing and 70 units of Single’s Supportive Housing. Learn more.… read more

Barrier Free Living's Secret Garden Domestic Violence program held a Caregivers Celebration on June 18. The event was to honor "all caregivers--parents, family, friends and foremost all the people who have cared for us and our ability to care for ourselves." Program Director Georgette Delinois (pictured at far left) kicked off the program which include an interpretive dance performance, a display of crochet work and a lunch buffet.… read more

The Campaign 4 NY/NY Housing held a rally Friday, June 12th  at 11:00am at Governor’s Cuomo’s NYC office (633 Third Avenue –between 40th & 41st Streets) in support of a new statewide supportive housing agreement. BFL's new Supportive Housing team attended. Pictured, from left are Program Director Thomas Obrzut and Director of Social Services Denise Shaw The Campaign is calling 35,000 units of supportive housing for individuals and families with special needs over the next 10… read more

Barrier Free Living's Secret Garden domestic violence program has filmed a video in American Sign Language to explain domestic violence and inform survivors with hearing loss how to seek assistance. Development of this video is an activity of BFL's 2012 Office on Violence Against Women disability grant program award, which focuses on building capacity to serve Deaf and Hard of Hearing survivors. Above photo: Secret Garden intern Morgane Vincent… read more

Working with the Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies, BFL welcomed 24 volunteers to the Transitional Housing program as part of Aon Global Service Day on June 11, 2015. The hard-working volunteers painted and refurbished a lounge… read more

Renowned interior designer Kyle Timothy Blood is contributing his expertise to the Aon Global Service Day staff lounge rennovation project at Barrier Free Living on June 11. Inspired by the agency's mission and the passion of it's hard-working team, Kyle and junior designer Haylee Ressa took on the project, supporting the work of Aon Global Service Day. In 2014, Aon colleagues around the world united to support local charities during the firm’s annual day of volunteerism, with over 170 charities… read more

In line with the BFL core value, that "Healthy expression of all emotions, including anger, is respected" Barrier Free Living continues its work with staff and shelter residents on expressing anger in a productive way. Anger Specialist Anne Markowitz, LCSW (pictured) is guiding the work this summer. View our Mission, Vision and Values here.… read more

As part of Deloitte Impact Day 2015, volunteers painted and spruced up the computer room at Barrier Free Living's Transitional Housing shelter for people with disabilities. The room is used by the shelter's 48 residents for computer training and for fellowship. Volunteers, guided by Facility Manager David Rodriguez and Development Manager Scott Hess , painted the… read more

The Disabled Foodie (David Friedman recently featured in AM NewYork)  is planning the Big Apple Barbecue Block Party.  This barbecue event features pitmasters from across the country. Sample barbecue while enjoying beautiful Madison Square Park. Attending the event is free. You pay for any food and/or drinks you choose to purchase. When: Saturday, June 13, 2015 from 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM… read more

AM NewYork reports: Were the grab bars in the restroom to your liking, sir? A discerning Jackson Heights diner has begun a restaurant review blog TheDisabledFoodie.com, that evaluates eateries not just on the freshness, taste and quality of their food, but on the ability of disabled people to consume it. The blog "is an awareness campaign," explained founder David Friedman, 38. People without disabilities often don't fully understand the obstacles encountered by those who have them, he said, and people with… read more

Pam Hall, a former resident of Barrier Free Livings Transitional Shelter in 2009, didn’t want to just move on in her life, she wanted to give back. “For me, Barrier Free Living’s Transitional Housing program was a saving grace. I came to believe that whatever I want to achieve I can if I work for it. If people say you can’t, I say don’t believe them,” says Pam. Pam gained the confidence and… read more

Noah Galloway, the Iraq war vet and amputee who beat out 1200 competitors to be Men’s Health magazine’s cover model for November, 2014 continued to inspire people with disabilities as he landed in the finals on Dancing With The Stars 2015. Read BFL's interview with Noah here.… read more

Second Chance Toys posted about the Viacommunity Day 2015. BFL's domestic violence programs received over 100 toys for young residents. Read the post here.… read more

From Breaking Barriers In Domestic Violence, May 2015 Issue This month’s contributor, Thomas Obrzut (In photo with Denise Shaw)  joined the Barrier Free Living team this spring as Director of our newest vision: Barrier Free Living Apartments, a Supportive Housing Program for people with disabilities in the Bronx, NY. BFL Apartments will be an important step in filling a critical need in New York City.  The program, slated to open summery… read more

The 7th Annual Handprints of the Heart sponsored by Goldman Sachs took place this month at Freedom House. The event is a celebration of Mother's Day and includes activities and a lunch with the families at the shelter. The volunteers worked with young shelter residents to create ceramic handprints, t-shirts and jewelry that kids presented to their parents after lunch… read more

This month’s contributor, Thomas Obrzut joined the Barrier Free Living team this spring as Director of our newest vision: Barrier Free Living Apartments, a Supportive Housing Program for people with disabilities in the Bronx, NY. BFL Apartments will be an important step in filling a critical need in New York City. The program, slated to open summery 2015, will provide permanent housing to survivors of domestic violence with disabilities, homeless people who… read more

Barrier Free Living's Supportive Housing apartments are ready for occupancy (70 singles units) and the team is accepting applications. "They city has granted us the temporary certificate of occupancy (TCO) and we hope to start moving residents in in June," says Thomas Obrzut, Program Director at Supportive Housing. "This is an incredible opportunity for people with disabilities who are survivors of domestic violence, as well as veterans and physically disabled people." The apartment complex offers supportive services such as counseling, occupational… read more

Barrier Free Living staff joined politicians and activists outside City Hall on April 29 for anti-sexual assault Denim Day. Read more.… read more

The Leadership Team of Barrier Free Living is engaging in training this spring, in line with the agency's mission regarding racial equity. The agency supports the Human Services Council of New York's commitment to racial equity which states: The Human Services Council of New York (HSC) recognizes that racism exists in society. Beyond individual prejudice, racism is both historic and structural in nature. We recognize that racism affects communities served by human services organizations. This includes the inequitable distribution of resources that… read more

On Tuesday, April 14, FPWA and Baruch College officially concluded the first cohort of the Fundraising Executive Certificate Program, a collaboration with FPWA and the Baruch School of Public Affairs. In total, 19 students graduated with a Certificate in Fundraising after participating in a 10-week program and presenting a full-scale fundraising plan for their respective organizations. Scott Hess, Organizational Development Manager at Barrier Free Living was part of the program. "It was an amazing… read more

On Tuesday, April 14, FPWA and Baruch College officially concluded the first cohort of the Fundraising Executive Certificate Program, a collaboration with FPWA and the Baruch School of Public Affairs. In total, 19 students graduated with a Certificate in Fundraising after participating in a 10-week program and presenting a full-scale fundraising plan for their respective organizations. Scott Hess, Organizational Development Manager at Barrier Free Living was part of the program. "It was an amazing… read more

New York City first lady Chirlane McCray visited Barrier Free Living's Freedom House Domestic Violence program today, speaking with residents of the shelter and touring the facility. Freedom House is nationally recognized as the first fully accessible emergency shelter for disabled victims of domestic violence and their families. Paul Feuerstein, President/CEO of Barrier Free Living and Myra Ricard, Freedom House program director guided the tour which included a visit to the… read more

Barrier Free Living inició su nuevo proyecto Project Give Back (Devuelve lo Recibido), en el que los antiguos residentes "devuelven lo recibido" trabajando en un proyecto relacionado con el refugio. Thomas, un antiguo residente pintó un mural dinámico e inspirador en el patio del programa de Vivienda de Transición (Transitional Housing). Thomas aparece en la película de la misión Barrier Free Living de Blake Drummond, aquí.… read more

Barrier Free Living kicked off its new Project Give Back, where former residents “give back” by working on a project related to the shelter. Thomas, a former resident painted a dynamic, inspirational mural on the patio of the Transitional Housing program. Thomas is featured in the Barrier Free Living mission film by Blake Drummond, here… read more

BFL President/CEO Paul Feuerstein kicked off St. John University's Turn Off The Violence Week with a moving keynote address. Joining Paul was Zenaida T., who shared her story as a survivor of domestic violence. Picture are (L to R): BFL's Scott Hess, Paul Feuerstein, St. John's Hannah Stravers, Zenaida, Secret Garden's Georgette Delinois and St. John's Ruth DeRosa. Read more.… read more

The FACSA Foundation and Daimon Glenn are partnering to present the Global Pop Up Art project, April 25, 2015, online, with your help, by sharing the stories of survivors, art, music, dance, film, poetry, writing, photography, and other forms of art to express the pain we have endured so long; to give power to the voices who have been silent for so long. Global Pop Up States: We are… read more

Barrier Free Living's Supportive Housing program is slated to open late spring/early summer 2015. Pictured above in a new studio unit are: Thomas Obrzut, Program Director, and Denise Shaw, Director of Social Services. More information… read more

Barrier Free Living will be a featured partner in St. John University's 8th Annual Turn Off The Violence Clothes Line Project event, April 20-24. The Staten Island campus of St. John's will  recognize those victims of violence who come from "many different countries, races, religions, and socioeconomic statuses, and to take a stand against all power-based personal violence that often occurs in personal relationships." The week kicks off with a Key Note Address by BFL CEO/Founder Paul Feuerstein. Other events include a… read more

Families from BFL's Secret Garden and Freedom House domestic violence programs were the honored guests at an Easter event featuring a sumptuous luncheon, an Easter egg decorating station and a whole lot of sparkle. Spread The Sparkle, an organization whose mission is to "create events focused on celebrating family for individuals and kids who have no prior traditions",  treated 8 BFL families to a day of joy. The luncheon, prepared by Valerie and… read more

Spread the Sparkle will host a special Easter event for residents and participants at Barrier Free Livings' Freedom House and Secret Garden Domestic Violence programs. The event, for singles and families, will include a sumptuous meal prepared by special chefs and a performance by an opera singer. Spread the Sparkle Founder Abbey LeVine shares her story on how this new organization got started: After decades of unsuccessfully looking for… read more