New Visions Blog

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

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

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

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

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

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

Artist/Designer Scooter Laforge has donated a fab raffle prize to BFLs Lavender & Blue Oct. 23 event.  Scooter has created pieces for Debbie Harry, Iggy Pop and Karen O from Yeah Yeah Yeahs as well as Dakota Fanning and Elizabeth Olsen (for a movie with Demi Moore and Ellen Barkin called Very Good Girls coming out 2013), Carrie Mulligan (for the movie Shame).  In a recent MetroSource article, he says: "I… read more

Several new sponsors have signed on for BFL's Lavender &  Blue Mega Mixer on Oct. 23 at XES Lounge including  Scooter LaForge, Desktop Studio and Peace Kitty. A giant thank you shout out from the BFL team… read more

The Women of AWARE  (Assisting Women through Action, Resources & Education) invite you to an evening of Dessert, Drinks & Dancing featuring a fabulous silent auction To benefit Barrier Free Living’s Freedom House The country’s only fully accessible emergency shelter for  disabled victims of domestic violence and their families Thursday, October 18th, 2012 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm Bar 13 121 University Place (between 13th and 14th Streets) 3rd Floor… read more

Honoring survivors, advocates and the NYPD. Star DJ. Awesome Raffle Prizes.Free Drink Tix. Tuesday Oct. 23 6-8pm. XES Lounge NYC 157 W. 24th St. (6&& Ave.) Reserve VIP Tix, Drink Tix, a chance at a fab raffle prize: [email protected]… read more

Barrier Free Living Survivors Speakers Bureau, which started in May 2012, has released its first newsletter.  The Bureau looks  "forward to meeting your speaker needs for women with Disabilities. Our founding organizers Theresa McIntosh and Patrice C. Queen encourage your inquiries and opportunities to educate your organization, school, university or event on the issues of domestic violence and its intersection with disabilities." Info: [email protected]… read more

Children with disabilities are four times more likely than typically developing kids to be victims of violence, according to a first-of-its-kind global analysis, reports the disability scoop. In a review of 20 years worth of data, researchers found that more than a quarter of children with disabilities have been exposed to some type of violence, be it physical, sexual, emotional abuse or neglect… read more

Lauren Luke, YouTube Makeup Star, is featured in a Domestic Violence PSA (click to view) that is getting a lot of attention. London agency BBH enlisted Luke for the PSA, which is rolling out on YouTube as though it were another of her makeup tutorials—showing Luke covering up cuts and bruises ostensibly inflicted by an abusing partner. The video depicts the domestic violence situation in an eerily realistic light, ending with onscreen copy that reads: "65% of… read more

On June 26th, The Leadership Conference and the National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence Against Women are uniting to promote the National Day of Action to push for VAWA.There will be a rally on Capitol Hill as well as lobby visits and calls. We urge you to invite your friends to this event, spread the word, and call/email/tweet your representatives so that we can pass the REAL VAWA.  If you are in Washington, D.C.: RALLY TIME: 11:30 a.m… read more

Freedom House director Isa Martinez presented at the Organizational Development Session of the HRA Non-Residential Director's meeting on May 4, highlighting the success of the programs Financial Clinic for residents. The clinic, facilitated by Becky Smith, Director of Strategic Initiatives, The Financial Clinic, is made possible through a grant from the United Way. Ms. Martinez has been invited to do another presentation at the June 1 meeting… read more

A generous donation from Banco Popular gave a boost to Barrier Free Living’s Mother’s Day/Women’s Day Empowerment event this May. Sugar Sweet Sunshine Bakery also donated cupcakes to sweeten things up at the gathering. The celebration draws residents and consumers from BFL’s Secret Garden and Transitional Housing Programs. In addition to group activities, live entertainment and food, there is a special gift giveaway and floral… read more

For our first New Visions blog post, President/CEO Paul Feuerstein explores two new initiatives meant to strengthen the agency “as we face the continuing challenges of domestic violence and homelessness with (at best) the same level of financial resources that we have had in past years.” Mission Based Management Six years ago, we began a transition to Mission-based Management, a system developed by Peter Brinkerhoff who has dedicated his career to making not-for-profit organizations more mission-productive. I was introduced to… read more

Barrier Free Living former consumer Alejandrina Cruz was quoted in an article about domestic violence in New York. As the city budgets decrease, domestic violence programs become more valuable to the community. Here is an excerpt from the article: Alejandrina came to Barrier Free Living in 2009 while trying to escape an abusive significant other. The group helped her transition from living in a shelter to finding an apartment of her own. They also provided her with counseling and case management, guiding… read more