New Visions Blog

A Winter Wonder Land event, funded by Events by Secrets catering and the Harlem Children's Zone (HCZ) was held at BFL's Freedom House emergency shelter. Events by Secrets provided Freedom House families brunch, a  hot dog cart,  popcorn cart and gifts. Harlem Children Zone provided gifts,a  cookie decorating table and arts and craft for the children as well.… read more

The first annual Soulful Closet Sale will be 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. Lori (Dame) Sutherland, who organized the event says: "We will be selling prized outfits, shoes, accessories and jewelry – either brand new (with tags!), or gently worn (and are in beautiful condition). From Banana Republic to Laboutins, darlings!… read more

Christy Parque, Executive Director at Homeless Services United was interviewed live on the nationally syndicated show Aljazeera America about the next steps the new administration can take to begin addressing homelessness. You can view the interview here .… read more

DNAInfo New York  reports: A food truck fit for the Midtown lunch crowd has started feeding the homeless and hungry in the East Village. Soul Food Truck, a new initiative of Middle Collegiate Church on Second Avenue and East Seventh Street, serves savory free meals including fried chicken and collard greens to anyone who steps up to its window in Tompkins Square Park on Sunday afternoons. Read the story.… read more

NY1 reports about an award-winning new documentary exploring the challenges people with disabilities face in the work force, and the growing movement to get companies to employ them. The documentary "A Whole Lott More," which won the audience award at the Hot Docs Film Festival, is a rare look inside a factory in Toledo, Ohio called Lott Industries. It's unique because since 1956, it primarily employs people with disabilities. Read more.… read more

BFL's award winning Secret Garden program for people with disabilities who have experienced domestic violence has launched a S.P.E.A.K. (Strength. Positivity.Empathy.Action.Kindness.) workshop aimed at building a sense of "self, confidence, awareness and gut feelings." Topics range from safety planning to mind-body connections. Info: [email protected]… read more

Disability Scoop reports: The number of federal workers with disabilities is on the rise, with a new report finding that such employment has reached its highest level in more than three decades. The U.S. Office of Personnel Management said in a report released Thursday that the nation’s largest employer added 16,653 new employees with disabilities during the 2012 fiscal year, bringing the total to nearly 220,000. Read the full story here. … read more

Lucille Obarzanek had the education and the drive to get ahead in her career. What she lacked was experience, something her 2013 internship at Barrier Free Living (BFL) provided. “I was having a hard time finding a job. I had finished the certificate program in accounting at Baruch College in April but I did not have on the job experience,” said Lucille. “I wanted book keeping experience and to also… read more

Homeless Services United's letter to the editor regarding the New York Times "Invisible Child" article series  will run on Saturday Dec. 14. The article follows one young girl and her family, as they struggle to leave shelter and find a place to call home. Read the NY Times story here.… read more

BFL's Breaking Barriers in Domestic Violence December Newsletter about holiday safety was highlighted by Futures Without Violence. Read the article here.… read more

The Barrier Free Living Speakers Bureau has released its winter holiday newsletter. The Speakers Bureau was founded in May 2012 by Theresa A.H. Macintosh.  Ms. Macintosh, a survivor of Domestic Violence and an amputee, is a Mayoral Appointee of the Mayor’s Office on Domestic Violence and is a Trustee on the Board of Barrier Free Living’s Freedom House.The Speakers Bureau provides training and encouragement to disabled Survivors of Domestic Violence. Click here to view the newsletter.… read more

Singer Blake Drummond debuted Barrier Free, the song he wrote for Barrier Free Living at the agency's holiday event this month. Drummond, who also created the agency's mission film, was part of BFL's 25 Videos of Hope Campaign running in December and was inspired to create the song about the agency… read more