New Visions Blog

Institute for Children, Poverty & Homelessness reports in its Uncensored Summer Issue on BFL Freedom House's vibrant Beyond Freedom Group. In the article Pearl Brownstein writes about the post-shelter support group for DV survivors.  In the article “The Unlikely Homeless: One Woman’s Experience in a Domestic--violence Shelter,” published in the Fall 2012 issue of UNCENSORED, Brownstein wrote about what led her to seek shelter and about the value of her time there. Read the full article here.… read more

Barrier Free Living (BFL) recently celebrated the started of construction on its first permanent supportive housing development that, when complete, will provide 120 apartments with a preference for the disabled and survivors of domestic abuse. Barrier Free Living Apartments, on East 139th Street in the Bronx, is being developed by BFL with collaboration and support from variety of City and State agencies, as well as Alembic Development, Foxy Management, the Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH), Citi Community Capital, and Richman… read more

Project Open House (POH), administered by the Mayor’s Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD), removes architectural barriers in the homes of people with permanent disabilities. This program is designed to increase independence in the activities of daily living, thus helping people with disabilities remain a part of their communities. POH provides an opportunity for many individuals to modify their living environments. Click here to learn more.… read more

HSC’s new Radio Series “Voices of Human Services” on WWRL 1600 AM debuted last week. Listen to the podcast here: http://www.wwrl1600.com/topic/play_window.php?audioType=Episode&audioId=6441417 The show featured an interview by Allison Sesso of Thomas Krever, Executive Director of Hetrick Martin Institute, talking about the organization’s work with LGBTQ youth, followed by a discussion led by Michael Stoller on the disaster response efforts of faith-based human services programs in areas of New York devastated by Hurricane Sandy, with Peter Gudaitis, New York Disaster… read more

AWARE organized and hosted a Family Carnival for the residents of Freedom House, the country's only domestic violence shelter for disabled residents. The Carnival featured face-painting, glitter tattoos, a photo booth, basketball, live music, cotton-candy and even an appearance by Elmo.  The event hosted nearly 135 residents and approximately 35 AWARE volunteers. AWARE (Assisting Women through Action, Resources & Education) is a grass-roots organization dedicated to promoting awareness and generating funds in order to make meaningful improvements in the… read more

The Human Services Council of New York (HSC) premieres its new weekly, hour-long radio series, Voices of Human Services, on WWRL (1600 AM) on Wednesday, June 26, from 11 pm to 12 midnight. Co-moderated by HSC Executive Director Michael Stoller and Deputy Executive Director Allison Sesso,  the weekly broadcast will explore a range of topics related to the human services needs of New Yorkers and the public policies that have an impact on the effective delivery of nonprofit human… read more

Georgette Delinois, Director of BFL's Secret Garden Program was honored with the Francoise I. Casseus Community Leadership Award at this June's Haitians Unified for Development and Education (HUDE) 2nd Annual Benefit Gala. Proceeds of the HUDE Gala go to a scholarship fund for high school graduates of Haitian descent to assist with college tuition.  HUDE will award a $2,000 scholarship this year. HUDE's mission is to support and empower the Haitian community socially, politically, and academnically by developing programs… read more

BFL Team member Aeilushi Mistry (pictured, JULIENNE SCHAER photo) was featured in a recent New York Times piece about the upcoming Hindu Lamp Ceremony. The New York Times Wrote: Why not wind down the season back where we started, at Brooklyn Bridge Park, with a pair of intriguing events in August. On Aug. 2, Aeilushi Mistry, a classical Indian dancer and arts educator, will conduct a Hindu aarti lamp-lighting ceremony, a traditional petition… read more

A new report is out: The hidden abuse of disabled people residing in the community: An exploratory study, written by Dr Michael Roguski for Tairawhiti Community Voice. The report is a comprehensive exploration of the kinds of abuse experienced by disabled people and clarifies the range of people who are abusers. Click here to download the report.… read more

The Ground Breaking for BFL's $42 million two building apartment complex in in the Bronx on June 4 drew supporters, officials and was covered by several news networks in NYC including WNBC, WPIX11, News12 and News12 en espanol. New York City's Housing Development Corp. (HDC), the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) and the Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities (MOPD) along with the NY State Homeless Housing and Assistance Corp. (HHAC) joined Barrier Free Living, Alembic Development… read more

The June 4 Ground Breaking for Barrier Free Living Apartments is featured on News12 today. Click here to view the clip.… read more

An effort to revamp the icon that’s long symbolized accessibility on everything from parking lot signs to bathrooms is gaining traction with New York City agreeing to adopt a new look. Read the story here.… read more

BFL’s Freedom House Emergency Shelter held the annual Handprints of the Heart event this May, working with volunteers from Goldman Sachs. Resident families and children took part in crafts, empowerment activities and enjoyed a live performance… read more

On Thursday, May 16th the HOPE Program hosted its second annual A Taste of HOPE event, a celebration of tastings, toasts and transformations at Steelcase in Manhattan. Barrier Free Living's HR/Organizational Development Team attended, joining a packed crowd at the stunning Steelcase venue overlooking Columbus Circle. Guests included the founder of HOPE Deborah Antoine, (pictured with Dr. Clarel Antoine). Taste of Hope featured a host of award-winning partners, including: Inside Park at… read more

BFL's Secret Garden Domestic Violence Program held its annual Women's Day Celebration this month. The event heralded the courage and triumphs of survivors who have grown and healed through the program. The celebration included a poetry reading, piano recital and lunch. Special gift bags were provided by The Body Shop.… read more

The residents of  BFL's Transitional Housing program, formerly homeless men and women with disabilities, were treated to a sumptuous May Day feast this month. The 24 women of the shelter received special Mother's Day gift bags courtesy of The Body Shop. BFL's Occupational Therapy team coordinated the event, which included a baking class and cupcake decorating workshop. The Body Shop choose Transitional Housing as the featured charity in it's 'Another… read more

The BFL Survivor's Speaker's Bureau released its Mother's Day themed newsletter. The Bureau is  made up of women with disabilities  "some who had been rejected by their families, some had decided to end their  abuse and go into shelter, and many who had to stop pursuing their educational dreams," said Theresa McIntosh, Senior coordinator and founder of the Barrier Free Living Survivor's Speaker's Bureau. The Bureau serves as a platform for survivors to share their stories, and educate the public on issue of… read more

Residents of BFL's Freedom House Emergency Shelter graduated from the EASE program this April. The ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL EMPOWERMENT (EASE) PROGRAM, created by Robert Hawkins and Alisha Ali of New York University, helps to equip survivors of domestic violence with resources to secure sustainable employment. Pictured at the graduation are: (left to right) Zoila Vargas, Freedom House Entitlements worker; Tysheene Neely, Freedom House, Housing Specialist; Robert Hawkins, Ph.D, NYU professor; Nickeema Coy… read more

The Body Shop at New York City's Grand Central (420 Lexington Ave) has chosen BFL's Transitional Housing program as its charity partner for Mother's Day. The Transitional Housing Program is a shelter for formerly homeless men and women with disabilities who are forging  a new life. Body Shop's "Another for a Mother" campaign encourages customers to purchase items for their mother or loved one, as well as… read more

Freedom House Emergency Shelter launched a vibrant new Adult Poetry Club.  The club allows residents to "express themselves through creative writing in order to promote positive mental health while sharing their creative writing with the members of the group." The group was led by the Occupational Therapy team;  Residents contributed to the booklet which was designed and put together by Patrice C. Queen. View the poetry clubs booklet by clicking here.… read more

Since 2010 the Kids Wish Network has honored more than 30 children at Freedom House Emergency Shelter with a Hero of the Month award. The honorees of this program are children between the ages of 3 and 18 who have faced and overcome difficult circumstances, often enduring a great deal of pain and suffering. "This really speaks to the children's  courage during time of hardship, as their families enter our domestic violence shelter… read more

BFL's Occupational Therapy Program Coordinator Patricia Motus,  OTR/L,  and Christina Marino, MS, OTR/L presented "Occupational Therapy with Survivors of Domestic Violence: An Initial Cross Case Analysis for Determining Factors of Success in a Shelter Setting" at the The American Occupational Therapy Association’s 93rd Annual Conference & Expo in San Diego April 25-28. The AOTA Annual Conference & Expo is "the most dynamic gathering  for occupational therapy professionals each year... Stimulating Presidential… read more

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

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

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

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