New Visions Blog

A Resident at BFL's Freedom House Emergency Shelter sent a letter to staff expressing gratitude about her healing journey and how she gained  strength as she moved through obstacles. Click here to read the inspiring letter… read more

On Thursday, May 16th The HOPE Program will host its  second annual A Taste of HOPE event, a celebration of tastings, toasts and transformations at Steelcase, Inc., 4 Columbus Circle New York from 6pm-8:30pm. HOPE empowers New Yorkers living in poverty to achieve economic self-sufficiency through employment and advancement. As one of HOPE's signature programs prepares men and women for careers in New York City's food… read more

Click here to view Norman Kunc & Emma Van der Klift's video, "A Credo for Suppport" - spoken by members of San Luis Obispo People First. Order DVDs including "a series of suggestions for people who care about and support someone with a disability" that " prompts viewers to question the common perceptions of disability, professionalism, and support" by clicking here… read more

AWARE organized and hosted a Family Carnival at BFL's Freedom House Emergency Shelter on April 13, bringing hope and laughter to survivors of domestic violence and their families.   The Carnival featured face-painting, glitter tattoos, a photo booth, basketball, live music, cotton-candy and an appearance by Elmo.  AWARE'S  Ellen L. Friedman said " I think it was… read more

Sharing a wonderful shout-out from one of our new supporters: "I simply wanted to send a small comment to be able to express gratitude to you for all of the magnificent items you are giving out at this website. My considerable internet research has finally been honored with reliable tips to share with my great friends. I would claim that most of us readers are unequivocally blessed to live in a really good network with so many outstanding professionals with valuable… read more

Sexual Abuse of Children with Disabilities: A National Snapshot was recently released at a congressional briefing in Washington, DC.  The report provides an overview of the latest research on the incidence and prevalence of sexual abuse of children with disabilities. View the report here.… read more

Though Brilynn Rakes was diagnosed with nystagmus and cone dystrophy (which causes her eyes to shake), that did not stop her from pursuing a career in dance.  This week the inspiring young woman was featured on Dancing With The Stars as part of the AT&T Spotlight Series. View the Dancing with the Stars Video here. Read Brilynn's story here.… read more

Miss M., a woman who found safety and healing at BFL's Secret Garden domestic violence program, shared a letter of gratitude with staff, thanking them for "giving me back my life."  Miss M. said the program helped her to change her "destiny forever." Click here to read Miss M.'s letter.… read more

The United to End Homelessness campaign launches Tuesday, April 9 at 1pm at the NY City Hall steps. New York City’s next Mayor and City Council will confront unprecedented levels of homelessness. By the end of 2012, more than 57,000 people, including more than 22,000 children, slept each night on the street or in a City shelter, the largest homeless shelter population ever recorded. Click here to view rally flyer.… read more

CODES OF HOPE, an  innovative six-week curriculum highlighting the aspects of inter-generational trauma and its relationship to domestic violence, is working with participants at BFL's Secret Garden and Freedom House programs. Activities include inventive approaches to healing, such as a dinner party theater game exploring the dynamics of power and control. Marcella Goheen and Thea Martinez are co-facilitators of CODES OF HOPE.  Inspired by The Maria Project’s story of Maria Salazar, the CODES OF HOPE curriculum reflects an interdisciplinary approach… read more

On, April 4th, the Women’s Equality Coalition will be having press conferences around the state. The Coalition will focus on the Women’s Equality Agenda, a groundbreaking new plan that will break down barriers and promote fairness and equal opportunity for women. Topics include: Stopping Housing Discrimination for Victims of Domestic Violence: We need to protect victims of domestic violence from discrimination when they try to purchase, rent, or lease housing. Protecting Victims of Domestic Violence by Strengthening Order-of-Protection Laws: Domestic violence victims should be allowed… read more

HSU is one of the lead agencies that has been mobilizing a new nonpartisan coalition to highlight the crisis of homelessness during the 2013 mayoral election in New York City. The coalition – United to End Homelessness – will hold its official launch next Tuesday, April 9, on the steps of City Hall at 1pm. There are more people today in New York City’s shelter system than at any other time in recorded history. Fifty-seven thousand New Yorkers are now… read more

Created in 2012, Beyond Freedom is a transitional support group that grew from the agency’s mission to guide people with disabilities to lead dignified lives free of abuse. It was spearheaded by BFL’s Freedom House Emergency Shelter team. The idea was to create a dynamic group where current and former Freedom House residents meet weekly to discuss experiences, progress, challenges, barriers and success as they navigate life after residential… read more

Guggenheim Mind's Eye Programs allow visitors who are blind or have low vision to explore the museum with tours and workshops using verbal imaging and touch.  Programs are Mondays (March 4, April 1, May 6, June 3) 630pm-830pm and Wednesdays (March 13, April 10, May 8, June 12) 2pm-4pm. Info at [email protected] or call 212-360-4355.… read more

The New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance is making available $3 million worth of free air-conditioners this year to low income individuals and families.  This would include supportive housing residents.  Individuals must apply at their local social services office.  Details on the program are available at: http://otda.ny.gov/news/2013/2013-04-01.asp  … read more

The Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities kicked off its first Accessible Housing Symposium at John Jay College April 1. The symposium featured panel discussions on the topic of educating New Yorkers with Disabilities on accessible housing options.  The event concluded with an information fair and included participation from Barrier Free Living.  Participating  agencies included NYC Housing Authority and Department of Housing Preservation and Development.… read more

On April 23, 2013, the Kings County District Attorney's Office  will host the Fourth Annual VOICE-Out (Victims on the Impact of Crime Event) at Brooklyn Borough Hall. The event recognizes the strength and celebrates the voices of those Brooklyn residents whose lives have been changed by crime, and to provide them with information about resources that will better assist them in addressing the ongoing trauma created by these crimes. The focus this year will be on the impact of gun violence in… read more

A partnership between, The NYC Department of Education, NYC Parks, Wheelchair Sports Federation and Randall’s Island Sports Foundation, the Fourth Annual Paralympic Sport Club New York City Track and Field Open will be held June 3 at Icahn Stadium. All Athletes with Physical Disabilities are welcome: Competition will be divided into groups using Age Groups and Divisions. Events include: 100-400 Meters, Relays, Slalom, Turbo Javelin… read more

The BFL Speaker's Bureau held its first gala Graduation March 27. Graduates shared empowering stories of healing and their support of the Bureau's mission to continue to educate around the topics of domestic violence and disability.  Founder Theresa McIntosh lead the celebration, which featured poetry and a visit from Victor Calise, Commissioner of the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities along with citations of acknowledgement from Council Member Rosie Mendez's office… read more

Theater Breaking Through Barriers  presents the NY Premiere of ACCORDING TO GOLDMAN by Bruce Grah, directed by Ike Schambelan April 6-May 5. ACCORDING TO GOLDMAN is a fresh, funny and eventually fierce look at screenwriting for Hollywood. By studying a mentoring relationship between an old Hollywood hand and an eager young student, it shows the move of major movies from the elegance and grace of Fred Astaire to the… read more

Co-sponsored by Community Access and NYAPRS, the 9th Annual NYC Mental Health Film Festival brings to downtown Brooklyn a vivid selection of thought-provoking films which positively portray the mental health community.  The event also includes Q&A sessions with filmmakers, audience discussions, and a free lunch. EVENT DETAILS WHEN: Sunday, May 5, 2013: 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. WHERE: St Francis College, 182 Remsen Street, Brooklyn, NY TICKETS: $7 dollars in advance, $10 at the door DIRECTIONS: 2,3 or 4,5 to Borough Hall; A or F to J Street/Borough Hall; R to Court… read more

Support Denim Day to protest sexual violence by wearing denim on April 24.  To learn more click here. Also, In honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month (April) and Denim Day there will be a Citywide Op-ed Writing Contest for college students. A$500 prize for one winner from each Borough will be offered. Denim Day grew out of a 1998 Italian Supreme Court decision that overturned a rape conviction because the victim wore tight jeans. The judges reasoned the victim’s tight jeans… read more

An article in The Wall Street Journal reports that an average of more than 50,000 people slept each night in New York City's homeless shelters for the first time in January, a record that underscores an unsettling national trend: a rising number of families without permanent housing. Read the article here.… read more

Legal Services NYC-Bronx and Queens Legal Services today announced the filing of new federal lawsuit that seeks to reform the New York City Housing Authority’s treatment of domestic violence victims who are seeking emergency public housing in order to escape from their abusers. Click here to read more.… read more

This "Protecting Domestic Violence Victims AND Their Pets" webinar will be held on Wednesday, March 20, 2013 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM Eastern Time and will focus on the barriers to leaving an abusive relationship faced by domestic violence victims with pets. To attend click here for instructions. Many domestic violence victims stay in an abusive relationship, delay leaving, or return to the perpetrator out of fear for their pet's safety. This webinar will provide information on various resources available… read more

GRACE DRUMS is a performance group of 6 spirited women percussionists who share joy and inspiration through the power of the drum and the voice. On SAT. April 20, 2013 at 7 PM, at the Actor’s Fund Theater, Downtown Brooklyn, GRACE DRUMS presents The Women Gather. Buy tickets here. Through the majesty of African & Caribbean inspired drumming, song and movement, The Women Gather is a concert celebrating women, children and… read more

Alan Govenar's intimate new documentary "You Don't Need Feet To Dance" reveals the extraordinary life of African immigrant Sidiki Conde, a man overcoming his disability one day at a time in New York City. Sidiki balances his career as a performing artist with the obstacles of life in New York City, from his fifth-floor walk-up apartment in the East village, down the stairs with his hands and navigating in his wheelchair through Manhattan onto buses and into the… read more

A program to equip survivors of domestic violence with resources to secure sustainable employment launches this month at Freedom House Emergency Shelter. The EASE Program (Economic and Social Empowerment) presented by Dr.  Robert Hawkins and Alisha Ali of New York University helps shelter residents to understand the importance of of becoming economically self -sufficient. The workshops focus on:  Empowerment, Motivation, Developing Skills, Obstacles, Challenges,  Employment and Educational goals.  The workshops range in topic from Social Economic Empowerment, Interviewing, Networking, and Your… read more

BFL rolled out a 360 Evaluation process, beginning with the management team, as a tool to growth and progress in line with the agency's mission. Staff learned about the effectiveness of a well implemented 360 evaluation at the Winter/Spring Town Hall all agency meeting.  360 degree feedback is a method and a tool that provides each employee the opportunity to receive performance feedback from his or her supervisor and four to eight peers, reporting staff members, coworkers. Most 360 degree… read more

March 13 is the official NO MORE Day: Together we can end Domestic Violence NO MORE is a simple idea with the power to unleash new, major  attention to the people all around us who are hurt - directly or indirectly - by domestic violence and sexual assault every day and every minute. For more info click here.… read more