Category: BFL News
BFL’s 25 Videos of Hope Featured in Crain’s New York Article
Barrier Free Living's 25 Videos of Hope Campaign is featured in the Oct. 20 Crains New York article "Making the holidays count".
The article notes that: Overall, the Internet has been a major boon to holiday fundraising, especially for smaller organizations that can't afford to host big galas and lack boards crowded with deep-pocketed philanthropists.
Barrier Free Living, a Manhattan-based nonprofit that provides services for the disabled, will start a monthlong campaign in December featuring one daily video of… read more
BFL’s Secret Garden Team Presents at Domestic Violence Awareness Month Conference
Secret Garden team members will present at the Domestic Violence Awareness Month Conference: Prevention, Intervention, and Collaboration: Effective Strategies to End Domestic Violence that will be held on October 28-30, 2013 in South Carolina.
The Secret Garden's Georgette Delionis and Jules Perkel will present Living Practice Considerations for Survivors of Domestic Violence with Disabilities. The annual conference is hosted by the South Carolina Coalition Against Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault and the South Carolina Department of Social Services.
Click to… read more
RPG Volunteers Create Bold New Play Area At Freedom House Shelter
Volunteers from Manhattan's RPG firm will transform the Freedom House Emergency Shelter child care area into a joyful jungle this fall.
Lead by Ellen L. Friedman, Executive Vice President at RPG (Ellen is a member of AWARE which took on Freedom House last year as a partner program) the volunteers are planning a dynamic new paint design of the space (image above) which serves 54 kids.
"The children we… read more
BFL’s Paul Feuerstein Honored at Northstar Town Hall Awards
Barrier Free Living's CEO Paul Feuerstein will receive the Humanitarian Award at the 12th Annual 504 Northstar Town Hall Awards Dinner on October 25th in Harlem.
The event, which includes live jazz, a buffet and an open bar, will be held from 6p.m.-10p.m. at the Alhambra Ballroom, 2116 Adam Clayton Powell Jr. Blvd between 125th and 126th Street in Harlem, NY. Feuerstein is one of a host of honorees.
Barrier Free Living works with people with disabilities and also survivors of… read more
Roadmap to Ending Homelessness Report
The 130-member United to End Homelessness coalition released its “Roadmap to Ending Homelessness,” which "lays out the reforms necessary to stamp out homelessness in New York City."
The coalition was featured in the media, including the New York Times Opinion Pages stating: "More than 50,000 New Yorkers slept in city homeless shelters and on the streets last night. About 21,000 were children."
Read the NY Times article.
View the Road to End Homelessness Report here.… read more
BFL Sponsor of Shine the Light on DV
Join Barrier Free Living and our fellow sponsors on Oct. 7 at 6:30 p.m. for the annual Shine The Light on Domestic Violence rally in Duffy Square, NYC, 47 street/Broadway. October is DV Awareness month.
Click here to learn more.… read more
Give Voice Give Peace Event Features Savion Glover
In celebration of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, 2013 The Maria Project will be hosting a GIVE VOICE and GIVE PEACE Benefit with Tony Award Winner and Tap Dance Sensation – SAVION GLOVER. Click here to get tix.
The event is Tuesday, October 8 at New York Live Arts / 219 W. 19th Street (between 7th and 8th) at 7:30 PM (Doors Open at 7:00 PM). Tickets Start at $30.00 / Limited Seating.
To learn about The Maria Project click… read more
AWARE Health Fair at Freedom House Emergency Shelter
AWARE (Assisting Women through Action, Resources and Education) hosted a Family Health Fair at Freedom House Emergency Shelter on September 28.
The group also donated a new baby stroller to a consumer at BFL's Secret Garden Domestic Violence program this month (picture above).
The Freedom House event, CARE FOR YOURSELF, CARE FOR YOUR FAMILY, CARE FOR YOUR FUTURE included doctors, nurses, nutritionists & other healthcare experts engaging with the shelter residents and… read more
Mayor’s Office Launches That’s Abuse Ad Campaign
Mayor's Office to Combat Domestic Violence Commissioner Yolanda B. Jimenez has unveiled a multi-layered public service campaign that will empower victims of intimate partner violence to seek the help they need. "That's Abuse" will appear at bus shelters, subway cars and platforms, grocery store circulars, community-based organizations, businesses throughout key neighborhoods, and common areas at numerous City agencies.
This citywide campaign seeks to connect with victims through words and images that capture the emotional impact of abuse. Survivors of domestic violence… read more
Freedom House New Director Joins Team
Nicole Lesser has joined the BFL team as Director of the agency's Freedom House Emergency Shelter. An expert in the area of violence against women, Nicole brings 20 years of experience to her new position. She has specialized in collaborative systematic change, nonprofit management and program design.
What drew you to BFL as an agency and Freedom House as a program? What about the agency mission appeals to you?… read more
Work With Us Exhibition Focus on People Living in Poverty
Work with Us, an exhibition of stories from people living in poverty and marginalisation around the world, demonstrating their visions for change in their communities, runs through Sept. 27 at The Roger Smith Hotel in New York City.
The hotel is at 501 Lexington Avenue. A Documentary screening will be held September 20, 6:30pm.
Click here for more info.… read more
Barrier Free Justice Making A Difference Event
Barrier Free Justice will hold: Making a Difference: Conversations about empowerment and advocacy within the disability community.
Making a Difference, held in collaboration with Project Shield, will be Thursday, September 26th from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm (registration begins at 9:30 am) on the 19th Floor at the Kings County District Attorney’s Office in downtown Brooklyn.
Presentations feature: Brain Injury Association of NYS, Brooklyn Center for the Independence of the Disabled and more.… read more
United to End Homelessness Tweet Gains Traction
A tweet from United to End Homelessness has gained attention. UEH tweeted: More people were homeless last night than voted in the Republican primary. Please RT if you think 57,000 homeless NYers is unacceptable.
View the tweet, click here.
UEH is a coalition of advocates, homeless and formerly homeless individuals, service providers, faith leaders, and experts on the issue of homelessness in New York City. UEH also wrote:
New York City held its high-profile primary elections… read more
City Must Help Domestic Violence Survivors Find Safe, Affordable Housing
New Destiny’s Executive Director, Carol Corden’s op-ed on the importance of addressing the crisis of homelessness for survivors of domestic violence was published this Sunday in the Daily News.
She writes: Every day in New York City, the NYPD responds to over 700 incidents of domestic violence. It impacts every neighborhood of the city, and is currently the leading cause of murder for women in New York City. That’s why it’s important for the next mayor to have a comprehensive plan… read more
BFL Staff Appreciation Awards 2013
BFL honored staff of all programs in categories ranging from Most Dedicated to the BFL Vision to Integrity on the Job and Best Sense of Humor at the annual awards event this September.
There were 35 honorees in over a dozen categories honored with gold statuettes. BFL HR/Organizational Development Team Member Aeilushi Mistry spearheaded the ceremony, which included a luncheon and a rousing game of BFL Family Feud. The Transitional Housing Team… read more
Freedom House Leaf it to Kids Event Sponsored by Moodys
Freedom House will hold its 'Leaf it to Kids' fall foliage event on Thursday, September 12, 2013 from 1-4pm (for ages 1-4yrs). The event is sponsored by Moodys.
Moody's 14 volunteers will participate, working along side staff on a host of activities… read more
Disability and Abuse Project Releases Report on Abuse of People with Disabilities
The Disability and Abuse Project released a report that gives low grades to state and local agencies for failing to respond adequately to widespread abuse of children and adults with disabilities.
The Report -- "Abuse of People with Disabilities: Victims and Their Families Speak Out" -- analyzes the results of what may be the largest survey of its kind in the nation. More than 7,200 people took the survey which inquired into the experiences of people with disabilities as victims of abuse and bullying. Family… read more
Shine the Light on Domestic Violence
Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer commemorates Domestic Violence Awareness Month by joining with the New York State Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence for the Third Annual Shine the Light on Domestic Violence on October 7 at 6:30 PM, Duffy Square in Times Square (SW Corner of Broadway and 47th Street).
Barrier Free Living joins a host of sponsors along with the Borough President to take a stand.
Click here… read more
High School Football Player Inspiration for People With Disabilities
The NY Daily News reports: less than a year after a rising high school football player's right leg snapped back during a game, which led to its amputation, the Montana senior is back on two feet and wiping the field with his competitors.
In Koni Dole's first game of the season Friday, the Huntley Project high school senior snagged the ball and ran for two touchdowns on a prosthetic leg, helping lead his team to victory.
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/high-school-amputee-amazing-football-comeback-article-1.1444572#ixzz2drHH5qZ6… read more
Hearts of Gold Donates Gifts to Children of Freedom House Shelter
Hearts of Gold, in conjunction with The Thrifty Hog boutique, sponsored an end of summer event to benefit homeless mothers and children, donating gifts to the kids of Freedom House Emergency Shelter.
"The children each received a backpack with supplies, a new pair of sneakers, an outfit, and gift card to Children's Place," said Cynthia Amodeo, Director of Family Services at Freedom House. "At the end there was a red carpet where the families took photos with a… read more
Freedom House Resident Flees Abuse, Shares Gratitude
A resident of BFL's Freedom House Emergency Shelter shares gratitude and hope.
"As many of our families, I came from a place of despair, my children and I unsure of what would happen next, had to flee for our lives. When I came to the pick up location, I was nervous and scared. This woman approached me so shy like and kind. She said “Hi, calling my name softly, I said yes” and my new life began. When I arrived… read more
Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities & Yankess Celebrate Disability Awareness Night
The Mayor’s Office for People With Disabilities (MOPD) and the New York Yankees celebrated Disability Awareness Night as part of the MOPD’s commemoration of the 23RD Anniversary of the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA).
Before the Yankees took on the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, MOPD Commissioner Victor Calise and MOPD Deputy Commissioner/General Counsel Jason Mischel presented a Certificate of Appreciation on behalf of Mayor Michael… read more
BFL Intern Shares Journey & Joys
Sarah Baez is an intern at BFL’s Transitional Housing Program.
I am currently interning at Barrier Free Living, an organization dedicated to helping individuals with a disability try to live barrier free. In working with this organization, I have been granted the opportunity to gain experience in the public relations field and I am seeing more and more each day that it is possible to live free of barriers and limits, regardless of what obstacles arise.
Nature struggles to bring beauty when… read more
Picture This International Disability Film Festival Call for Entries
The deadline for entries for the 2014 'Picture This International Disability Film Festival' is September 16th, 2013
The festival features films that are about disability and/or films on any subject that were produced, directed and/or written by people with disabilities. To learn more click here.
Last year's Best of Festival winner was Macropolis. MACROPOLIS, an animated film from Flickerpix Joel Simon, is the story of two toys with impairments discarded from a factory production line. Coming to life, they rebel… read more
MTA Bus Demo for Residents of BFL Transitional Housing Shelter
Russell Schmid from the MTA Para-Transit division held a city bus demo for residents of BFL's Transitional Housing program this month. Highlights included travel rights of people with disabilities and tips and guidance in how to maneuver the city's public transportation system.
The on-board presentation focused on:
Practice to board the NYC public bus
Learn about your rights
Learn about disability-accessible stations… read more
Popular Community Bank Donates Cyclone Tickets to Shelter Residents
Popular Community Bank donated Brooklyn Cyclones Aug. 31 game tickets to the residents of BFL's Transitional Housing shelter, and to the agency's Secret Garden program for survivors of domestic violence with disabilities.… read more
Novogradac & Co. Reports on Barrier Free Living Apartments
Mark O'Meara, Staff Writer, Novogradac & Company reports on Barrier Free Living Aparatments new housing under construction in the Bronx.
View a PDF of the story here.… read more
BFL Codes of Hope Graduation Event
CODES OF HOPE, an innovative six-week curriculum highlighting the aspects of inter-generational trauma and its relationship to domestic violence, held a graduation event for participants from BFL’s Secret Garden and Freedom House programs.
Marcella Goheen and Thea Martinez are co-facilitators of CODES OF HOPE. Activities include inventive approaches to healing, such as a dinner party theater game exploring the dynamics of power and control.Inspired by The Maria Project’s story of… read more
Moodys Sponsors BFL Fiesta Wellness Day at Transitional Housing Program
Moodys, working with the Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies, sponsored BFL's Fiesta Wellness Day at the Transitional Housing Program this August.
Fifteen Moody's volunteers worked with BFL's dynamic Occupational Therapy Department to create a carnival style event. The day featured: gardening workshops; a guide to healthy eating booth; an ask the nurse booth; an all day spa and wellness room; and a yoga class run by Laura Staton of Lulu… read more
OT + Yoga Joins BFL Wellness Fiesta as a Sponsor
Lulu OT+Yoga joined BFL's Wellness Fiesta this August as a sponsor, and will lead a chair yoga workshop at the vibrant event made possible by a grant from Moody's.
Laura Staton of Lulu OT + Yoga will run the workshop. She is a Senior Occupational Therapist at Staten Island University Hospital and teaches Yoga Therapeutics in Park Slope Brooklyn. Laura says: "Yoga possesses therapeutic value at any age and especially… read more