New Visions Blog

ABC Reports: Amy Purdy had a typical childhood until losing her legs at 19 as a result of Meningitis, which has led to an adulthood of extraordinary accomplishments, including being an inspiration for people with disabilities as a competitor on ABC's Dancing with the Stars. Currently training for the 2014 Paralympic Games in Sochi, Russia, she is the top ranked adaptive snowboarder in the U.S. and three-time World Cup Para-snowboard winner. Purdy is the Co-Founder of Adaptive Action Sports, a non-profit… read more

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) celebrates Fair Housing Month every April to mark the passage of the Fair Housing Act. This law prohibits housing discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, sex,disability and family status. This year's theme is "Fair Housing Is Your Right: Use It!" HUD and communities around the country are recognizing Fair Housing Month by raising awareness about housing rights. Read more here.… read more

An educator in professional development and community outreach at the New Museum in NYC,   Jane Hsu has created a dynamic new art workshop for the residents of Freedom House Emergency Shelter, with a possible art show in the works. Jane shares how she got involved at the domestic violence program, and her plans for the group. How did you learn about Freedom House, and what drew you to volunteer and facilitate… read more

RedRover, a national nonprofit organization based in Sacramento, California, and Amie’s Place Foundation, a Foundation that funds organizations that create programs dedicated to keeping families and pets together in times of crisis, have partnered to create co-sheltered housing for families and pets at domestic violence shelters across the country. This first-of-its-kind grant from Amie’s Place Foundation will provide $6,000 to RedRover’s Safe Housing grants program in 2013 and $3,000 to each family violence shelter that applies and qualifies for an… read more

Adopt A Mom will deliver gifts to mothers at Barrier Free Living's domestic violence programs this May, bringing joy and hope to the residents and consumers. Adopt a Mom is dedicated to raising awareness of domestic violence against mothers and supporting efforts to better their own lives and those of their children. The Adopt a Mom program started in 2010 as a grassroots effort to raise money to… read more

The Human Services Council Reports:  The State budget includes funding and language for salary adjustments for direct care workers for the first time in six years. The Budget includes $13 million growing to $122 million to support a 2% salary increase on January 1, 2015 and another 2% salary increase on April 1, 2015 to the lowest paid direct care workers. While the amount included for this year is low relative to the amount that would be needed for a full COLA, this allocation represents… read more

Henry Street Settlement will hold its Town Hall Meeting April 6 from 230-5PM at 301 Henry Street in New York City. Discussions will include topics involving: jobs, housing, education, and more. Workshops will be offered in Spanish and Chinese. Dinner is served. For info click here or call 212 766 9200… read more

Gabriel Gonzalez shares how Barrier Free Living helped him get off of the street and find safe, permanent housing, along with hope for the future.… read more

Jeremy Reitmaier and Amber Brust of Red Eye visited Barrier Free Living's Transitional Housing program this week, a first step for BFL towards its plans for an agency fund raiser. The visit included a tour of the program, which offers safe shelter and case management for people with disabilities, as well as a meeting with Transitional Housing resident Gabriel Gonzalez. Gonzalez recently secured permanent housing with the help of BFL housing team… read more

Grace Drums began a four-part drumming workshop for participants of Barrier Free Living's Secret Garden Domestic Violence program this March. Gabriella Dennery, Founder and Artistic Director of Grace Drums,  (pictured) along with Arlene Hall, facilitate the workshop where participants  learn about drums, rhythm and ultimately provide an outlet for expression. Formerly a practicing primary care physician, and now a full time performer and music teacher, Gabriella says she had… read more

The March issue of Currents (New York City  Chapter, National Association of Social Workers)  features an article from Barrier Free Living CEO Paul Feuerstein, "Bringing Frontline Workers Into the Forefront: A Progressive Method of Organizational Management." The Editor notes: The work environment for social work practice needs to be an  expression of the value of social work. It assures open communication not just from the top down but from the bottom up, so that those in management  and administration understand what… read more

Good News Network Reports: A little store in a Hollister, Missouri shopping center is offering the basic needs -- clothing, hygiene items and baby supplies -- at incredible prices. They're all free. The shop, called Selfless Blessings, was started by Andrea Berdine after she witnessed a thrift store turning away a man who asked if he could have one of their coats. Read the story.… read more

CBS Reports: Most are familiar with the heartwarming videos of a child in a classroom or at a sporting event surprised by the unexpected return of a parent serving in the military overseas. What those videos don't show is the struggle many families undergo after years of separation. Martha Teichner takes a look at the toll war takes on the children of warriors. View the Video.… read more

‘Sugar’ is a poignant and entertaining film with charitable purposes. The critically acclaimed movie brings attention to youth homelessness, a little known yet rapidly growing issue. Money raised from the production will go towards feeding homeless youth across America. Shenae Grimes, from the TV series 90210, stars as Sugar, a young woman living homeless in Venice Beach following the tragic death of her family from a car accident. Learn more… read more

The Board of Directors of the Human Services Council of  New York (HSC) has announced that Executive Director Michael Stoller is stepping down as of  March 3, 2014. Deputy Executive Director Allison Sesso has been appointed as the new  executive director of HSC, a nonprofit membership organization that advocates for New York  City and State nonprofit human services providers. View the press release.… read more

Into the Light a documentary about the groundbreaking Matheny Arts Access Program, whose innovative techniques and methodology make possible the creation of fine art by people with disabilities, has been accepted into the 12th Annual Garden State Film Festival. Three of these artists, painter Chris Saglimbene, choreographer Natalia Manning,and writer Jenny Durr, are profiled as they create work for the milestone Arts Access 15th anniversary Full Circle showcase. In the process, we learn of their past struggles, current creative… read more

In The Name of Love is an international art exhibition that brings awareness to the issues of gender-based violence. The exhibit is currently on display in Hays and in Lawrence, Kansas and the online version can be viewed here. This powerful exhibition is the product of a partnership between two violence prevention organizations, one from Kansas, USA and one from Namibia, Africa. Despite the geographical differences, Jana’s Campaign and Victims2Survivors agree that ‘In the Name of Love’… read more

Nicole Lesser, Program Director of Barrier Free Living's Freedom House Emergency Shelter will be on hand to introduce the films,  A Life with Aspergers (a short) and Stand Clear of the Closing Door (pictured above) at 5 p.m. on March 6 at The 6th Annual Reel Abilities Film Festival. The films are being shown at Hunter College Silberman School of Social Work. ReelAbilities: NY Disabilities Film Festival is the largest festival… read more

2013 ACE Award winning jewelry designer Alexis Bittar hosted a benefit this month for the Ali Forney Center for homeless GLBTQ Youth in NYC. Attendees included Barrier Free Living 25 Videos of Hope participant singer Mister Padilla, pictured at right with his fiance, writer Culver McCall (Stonewall to Obama), along with BFL Organizational Development Manager Scott Hess. The mission of the Ali Forney Center is "to protect lesbian… read more

Sally Hershberger Downton NYC Salon donated hair products to the residents and consumers at Barrier Free Living's (BFL) Transitional Housing and Secret Garden programs. BFL works with severely disabled homeless people and survivors of domestic violence with disabilities. Famed colorist Marko Tomassetti, who has donated color services to BFL, was on hand to deliver the products… read more

CBS News reports: At last month's State of the Union Address Democrats and Republicans rose as one to salute a wounded warrior, Staff Sergeant First Class Cory Remsburg. View the video. Remsburg was nearly killed by a roadside bomb in Kandahar, Afghanistan.… read more

Barrier Free Living is featured in the Feb. 12 Wall Street Journal article, Cuomo proposes flat pay for caretakers of disabled. The article focuses on the fact that the Cuomo administration has proposed keeping pay flat for the sixth straight year for caretakers of the disabled and others at state-funded nonprofits and it's impact on staff. Read the article.… read more

V-Day is a global activist movement to end violence against women and girls. V-Day is a catalyst that promotes creative events to increase awareness, raise money, and revitalize the spirit of existing anti-violence organizations. V-Day generates broader attention for the fight to stop violence against women and girls, including rape, battery, incest, female genital mutilation (FGM), and sex slavery. ONE BILLION RISING FOR JUSTICE is a global call to women survivors of violence and those who love them to… read more

DISABLED IN ACTION (DIA) of Metropolitan New York meets Sunday, February 9, 2014 - 1:30-4:00  at Selis Manor, 1st Floor Auditorium, 135 West 23rd Street (bet. 6th and 7th Ave). DIA is a civil rights organization committed to ending discrimination against people with disabilities — all disabilities. DIA fights to eliminate the barriers that "prevent us from enjoying full equality in American society." Meeting topics include:  Consumer Directed Services in the NYS Budget &… read more

For the second consecutive year, the Assurant Foundation has awarded Barrier Free Living with a $10,000 New Growth Fund grant in support of the agency's work with severely disabled formerly homeless individuals. The Assurant Foundation, which funded BFL's purchase of a new stove to serve the 48 residents of the Transitional Housing program in 2013, awarded  a second grant to "further enhance the incredible work of Barrier Free Living."… read more

Disability Scoop reports: Some of Broadway’s most iconic theaters are agreeing to make sweeping changes to improve accessibility for people with disabilities under a settlement with federal prosecutors. Nine Broadway theaters will eliminate more than 500 accessibility barriers in their restrooms, concession counters, waiting areas and box offices under a deal announced Wednesday to address violations of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Read the article.… read more

The first annual Soulful Closet Sale was held Jan. 23, with a portion of proceeds going to BFL’s  award winning Secret Garden program for people with disabilities who have experienced domestic violence. Event organizer Lori (Dame) Sutherland, pictured at right with Secret Garden Assistant Director Denise Baker (center) and Secret Garden Director Georgette Delinois (left) was thrilled to create the event featuring one of a kind sale items. Yael Yekutiel was… read more

New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence reports: Awareness months provide an opportunity to coordinate efforts that bring attention to specific issues. February is the time to get the word out about teen dating violence (TDV). The following are some resources that can help you with your efforts throughout February as well as all year long!  Visit the TDVAM website to learn about the issue and to check out resources and innovative ideas for engaging youth.  Campaigns and events… read more

Scott Hess, Organizational Development Manager and part of the HR/ODT Team at Barrier Free Living, has been accepted into the Columbia University Developing Leaders Program for Nonprofit Professionals, March 2014. "I'm excited to be part of the intensive program. As an agency, Barrier Free Living is in the midst of amazing growth and crucial change and this program allows me to reach higher as a part of the leadership team," said Hess. Hess… read more

CNN Reports:  On Veterans Day, former Army special ops officer Gary Linfoot took a brisk stroll around the Statue of Liberty. That's remarkable because Linfoot is a paraplegic -- injured while on one of his many tours of duty in Iraq and Afghanistan. He's been wheelchair-bound and paralyzed below the waist since 2008. But new technology has offered Linfoot the opportunity to walk again.It's possible because of a kind of wearable robot -- a full-body apparatus developed by California-based Ekso Bionics… read more