New Visions Blog

Homeless Services United gave a shout out to the work of dedicated team members at BFL's Transitional Housing Program in their latest newsletter. Located on the Lower East Side, the Transitional Housing Program had a core of staff members working above and beyond during Hurricane Sandy, including David Rodriguez and Paul Thomas. Read the story here.… read more

Emmy Award winning journalist Lauren Glassberg (pictured front left) visited BFL's Freedom House Emergency shelter to shoot footage for a story to air in December. Glassberg spoke with Freedom House Program Director Isa Martinez (pictured front right) and members of her team, along with BFL CEO Paul Feuerstein (pictured front right)… read more

NYC Industries for the Blind Exhibition features a site-specific installation that activates sight, sound, smell, and touch.This exhibition was launched in conjunction with Art Connects New York’s Art Placement Program, an initiative that matches curators with social service agencies to permanently install artwork in their facilities; artwork which actively reflects the mission and programs of the agency… read more

The Disability Funders Network (DFN) Rapid Response Fund is being activated to help nonprofit organizations meet the immediate and long-term needs of people with disabilities in North Eastern regions impacted by Hurricane Sandy. The DFN Rapid Response Fund will offer mini-grants to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations to meet specific needs such as transportation, shelter, medication, medical equipment and assistive technology for people with disabilities… read more

Thanks to a generous donation from the 13th Step Group, the children of the Secret Garden program received backpacks… read more

BFL salutes Veterans.  Read about how our upcoming Supportive Housing project can help veterans with disabilities… read more

The New York Times reports that a judge has agreed to allow a class-action lawsuit to proceed against New York City alleging a systemic failure in addressing the needs of the disabled population in planning for emergencies and disasters… read more

Ladda Tammy Duckworth (pictured) won a seat in the U.S. Representative-elect for Illinois's 8th congressional district. Duckworth, an Iraq War veteran, served as a U.S. Army helicopter pilot and suffered severe combat wounds, losing both of her legs and damaging her right arm. She continues to serve as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Illinois… read more

X Factor UK Star Jamene Douglas, whose mother is a domestic violence survivor, has launched a #RaiseAwarenessForDomesticViolence campaign. His mother Mandy has started her own campaign to raise funds for victims of domestic violence. She wrote on her appeal page: “Raising awareness on the fact that Womens aid needs funding. Refuges need funding. Children need help. Cut backs have caused an uneasy ripple of monotony of unnessesary heartaches. We can’t change the… read more

The AWARE October 18th fundraiser at NYC Bar 13 to benefit Barrier Free Living’s Freedom House raised over $25,000 for disabled domestic violence victims and their families. Pictured, Paul Feuerstein, President/CEO BFL and Isa Martinez, Director, Freedom House. Visit AWARE to view event photos, donate or learn more.… read more

A site to help people find gas in the aftermath of Sandy was launched… read more

BFL Transitional Housing Program residents joined the occupational therapy team on an outing to the nearest poll site today. The Voting Accessibility for the Elderly & Handicapped Act requires polling places across the United States to be physically accessible to people with disabilities for federal elections… read more

An email from a new supporter, who attended BFL's Lavender&Blue event during October's Domestic Violence Awareness month.  Camille Writes: Scott, thank you for inviting Tyrel and I to the wonderful event tonight. We had a great time and we won prizes! Yahoo!  It was good to be a part of the affair and meet wonderful people. The poetry and Vivi, the opera singer was amazing and everyone was so nice and open. BFL is a fabulous organization and I wish you… read more

The Sessions, Audience Award winner at Sundance and part of ReelAbilities Film fest, tells the story of a man in an iron lung who wishes to lose his virginity contacts a professional sex surrogate with the help of his therapist and priest… read more

BFL's Domestic Violence Awareness Month event, Lavender & Blue drew a lively crowd in support of the agency mission. Supporters joined new friends at XES Lounge in Manhattan for drinks and gab. The hit of the night was DV Survivor opera diva Vivi Le Voix who wowed the crowd with a brilliant aria (event video or below on home page)… read more

BFL's Lavender & Blue MegaMixer will feature a performance from Opera singer Vivi (pictured). The event will include drink tix, raffle, guest speakers, and an awesome DJ at the XES Club in Manhattan on Oct. 23, 6pm-8pm. XES is at 157 W 24th St… read more

A blog post originally published on September 26, 2012 by Nora J. Baladerian Ph.D. is October's featured article on BFL's Breaking Barriers in Domestic Violence Newsletter.  Read the blog. Sign up for BFL's free Breaking Barriers In DV Enewsletter at [email protected]… read more

The NY Times reports on Community Access’ restoration of the old Gouverneur Hospital, now called Gouverneur Court. Read the article, Still Housing the Needy, In a Changed Manhattan.  Barrier Free Living is working with Community Access on its latest Supportive Housing project. Steve Coe, Community Access Chief Executive Officer says: "As I mention in the article, the people we help were excluded from mainstream housing, which meant that social workers and community organizers had to figure out how to… read more

BFL was honored twice during October's National Disability Employment Awareness Month. The Helen Keller Organization and Millneck Organization both recognized BFL for its outstanding work employing and working with interns with disabilities. Aeilushi Mistry, of the BFL Organizational Development Team accepted the Helen Keller nod, pictured above, second from left.… read more

When Marine Lance Cpl. Alex Minsky (pictured) lost his leg when his truck rolled over an IED (improvised explosive device) in Afghanistan he had no idea how greatly his journey would end up empowering people with disabilities. View the latest NBC News story, click here. LA based photographer Tom Cullis first noticed Alex at his gym. "I saw him on a daily basis doing pushups with one leg or core… read more

The BFL Survivors Speakers Bureau released it's Oct. newsletter. For info contact: [email protected]… read more

Mothers who experience economic and psychological abuse during the first year of a relationship with their child’s father are more likely to become depressed and spank the child in year five, researchers from the Rutgers School of Social Work have found. Read story.… read more

Turner Classic Movies will dedicate the month of October to exploring the ways people with disabilities have been portrayed in film. On behalf of Inclusion in the Arts, Lawrence Carter-Long will join TCM host Ben Mankiewicz (pictured) for The Projected Image: A History of Disability in Film. The special month-long exploration will air Tuesdays in October, beginning Oct. 2 at 8 p.m. (ET)… read more

At a press conference on Oct. 2, Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer released a report and survey that uncovered the pervasiveness of economic abuse in New York City, shining a light on a form of domestic violence that takes a heavy toll on victims but too often goes unrecognized and unaddressed. The first-of-its kind report “Economic Abuse: The Untold Cost of Domestic Violence” was co-authored with Sakhi for South Asian Women, a domestic violence advocacy group… read more

Held each October, National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) is a national campaign that raises awareness about disability employment issues and celebrates the many and varied contributions of America's workers with disabilities. This year's theme is "A Strong Workforce is an Inclusive Workforce: What Can YOU Do?"… read more

In honor of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Manhattan Borough President Scott Stringer and the New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence (OPDV) will be joined Oct. 2 by a coalition of advocates, elected officials, non-profit leaders, and survivors to illuminate the signs of Times Square purple as a part of OPDV’s statewide Shine the Light on Domestic Violence Campaign. Click here for flyer Nine major Times Square billboards, including ABC Supersign, American Eagle, Bank of… read more

Click here to download the free BFL Breaking Barriers Newsletter. Articles covering the BFL Olympics, staff awards and a team members journey to India… read more

Peace Kitty, the brainchild of owner Kate Martin, has donated a custom T-shirt to the BFL Lavender & Blue Oct. 23 MegaMixer. Since opening shop, Kate has donated 10% of the profits to local animal shelters in Missouri where she operates, and was inspired by BFLs mission. "I am all about kindness and compassion, especially when it comes to animals. I am a kitty mom and have been a kitty… read more

Institute for Healing of Memories Founder Father Michael Lapsely had a launch event for his stirring new memoir, Redeeming the Past, at the United Nations Church Center in Manhattan on September 27. The Keynote Speaker was Helen Clark: Administrator of the United Nations Development Program. Lapsley, born in New Zealand, joined the Society of the Sacred Mission, and was sent to South Africa in 1973. There he became active in the anti-apartheid movement, ultimately joining the African National Congress… read more

Yoga High joined the growing list of sponsors for BFL's Lavender & Blue Mega Mixer on Oct. 23 at XES Lounge. Yoga High donated fab yoga classes as a raffle prize… read more