Category: Domestic Violence and Disabilities
Assurant Awards Barrier Free Living $50,000 Financial Literacy Grant
Barrier Free Living (BFL) has been awarded a $50,000 grant by the Assurant Foundation to create a financial literacy program and scholarship for tenants of BFL’s supportive housing complex in the Bronx.
BFL Apartments offers 120 units of permanent housing to survivors of domestic violence with disabilities and their families, as well as veterans with disabilities.
The grant, part of Assurant Foundation’s sustainable living mission, will fund a 12-week financial literacy workshop that culminates in career-oriented scholarships for eligible… read more
Ping Pong Champ Teaches Kids At BFL Apartments
Alexis Perez, a famed ping pong champ, is teaching the kids at BFL Apartments the art of the game.
Perez has been meeting with the kids at the supportive housing complex in the Bronx three times a week since June.
“The children have not missed a day of lessons and have been able to develop their own style of playing ping pong,” says Julie Pena, director at BFL Apartments.
The kids received sports… read more
Secret Garden At End Violence Against Women Conference
Barrier Free Living's Secret Garden attended the End Violence Against Women International (EVAWI) Conference in St. Louis, MO this August.
The EVAWI conferences address "attention focused on the many barriers confronting sexual assault victims, and the challenges associated with investigating and prosecuting cases. One critical step in changing this reality is to improve the way victims are interviewed. Better interviews will result in more thorough investigations that improve criminal justice outcomes: Excluding suspects where appropriate, and successfully prosecuting cases where the… read more
Freedom House Healthy Living Workshop
The Occupational Therapy team at Barrier Free Living's Freedom House domestic violence shelter held a healthy living workshop this August.
Participants took a trip to the local farmer's market, learned healthy living tips and shared seasonal recipes.… read more
Ribbon Cutting For Kids Playground Mural At BFL Apartments
Foxy Management and Barrier Free Living held a ribbon cutting event unveiling the new mural in the kid's playground at BFL Apartments in the Bronx.
The mural, created with the support of 501 See Streets and the talents of famed graffiti artists Crash and Bio, added color and joy to the playground. The outdoor space is connected to the supportive housing complex's child care area.
BFL Apartments offers… read more
Ping Pong Champ Teaches Kids At BFL Apartments
Alexis Perez, a famed ping pong champ, is teaching the kids at BFL Apartments the art of the game.
Perez has been meeting with the kids at the supportive housing complex in the Bronx three times a week since June.
“The children have not missed a day of lessons and have been able to develop their own style of playing ping pong,” says Julie Pena, director at BFL Apartments.
The kids received sports… read more
BFL Apartments Kids Show At 138th Street Community Garden Stage
Barrier Free Living apartments is working with the 138th Street Community Garden to present its kids theatre camp finale show on the garden stage this August.
The show, the culmination of a 10-week theatre camp for kids living at the complex, will be put on by theatre professional David Drake. BFL apartments offers permanent housing for survivors of domestic violence and their families… read more
Bronx Academy Of Letters Students Donate To BFL Shelter
Students from the Bronx Academy of Letters stopped by Barrier Free Living's Transitional Housing shelter this June to donate health products to the residents.
The students met with program director LeShan Gaulman (in photo above), to learn about the program which offers shelter to formerly homeless men and women with disabilities. The students also plan to donate similar products to Barrier Free Living apartments, a complex for survivors of domestic violence… read more
Playwright David Drake Brings Theatre Camp For Kids To BFL Apartments
This profile is by Liam Chan Hodges, a summer intern in BFL’s Communication Department. His writing has appeared in Study Breaks and elsewhere. He is currently pursuing a government major at Franklin and Marshall college and will graduate in 2019.
David Drake is a man of many talents. He has gained success as a playwright, a stage director, an actor and an author. His most acclaimed piece The… read more
Mural Brings Light & Joy To Kids Of BFL Apartments
Work began this May on a dynamic mural decorating the children's playground area of BFL Apartments in the Bronx.
Noah Sheroff, Founder of 501 See Streets an organization which brings artists and communities together, worked with renowned visual artist John Crash Matos to develop the mural. They spoke to tenants and children living at the complex to create the design which includes vibrant imagery of flowers, a boom box, and floating… read more
Artist Brings Beauty To Freedom House
Antonio Luis Rosa loves to share beauty wherever he can.
Antonio, an artist with two decades as a beauty professional, heard about BFL's Freedom House domestic violence shelter this year, and decided he wanted to get involved with the program as a volunteer. He connected with program director Myra Ricard and they are exploring ways to bring his expertise, and sense of joy, to the residents.
"We are developing a beautiful partnership… read more
El Poema de la Esperanza de un Joven Residente de Freedom House
Un joven residente en el refugio de violencia doméstica Freedom House, de Barrier Free Living, compartió un poema de esperanza y sanación para comenzar el nuevo año.
La "Chica Silenciosa" es parte de una familia que experimentó violencia doméstica y abuso antes de encontrar refugio seguro en Freedom House en 2016. La familia recibió terapia y servicios de apoyo y espera mudarse a un hogar permanente en 2017.… read more
BFL’s Freedom House Program At St. John’s Next Steps Fair
Sara Eldridge, a social worker at BFL's Freedom House domestic violence shelter was on hand at the St. John's Next Steps Fair in April.
The Next Steps Fair is a tabling event where organizations in the community provide information on the resources they offer the community.
St. John’s also held "Turn off the Violence Week" in April promoting “awareness, empowerment, and action in response to sexual violence in our community.”
Events include: the Clothes… read more
NYU Dental At Freedom House
Team members from NYU Dental did a dynamic presentation on the importance of dental health and oral hygiene for the residents of Freedom House domestic violence shelter this month.
BFL's Nurse Brenda was on hand to welcome the NYU team. Over a dozen adults and kids attended and received dental health give away bags.… read more
Freedom House Presents At Conference On Sexual Assault
Team members from Barrier Free Living's Freedom House domestic violence shelter will be at the International Conference on Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, and Systems Change in April.
Cynthia Amodeo and Aida Colon of Freedom House will present "Barriers to Seeking Safety." Freedom House team member Myra Ricard will be attending. (Top photo: Colon, Amodeo and Ricard, left to right).
The conference's focus is on sexual assault, intimate partner violence, stalking, human trafficking… read more
Barrier Free Living At Hunter College Community & Social Justice Fair
Team members from Barrier Free Living's domestic violence programs were present at the Hunter College Community and Social Justice Fair on March 16, 2017.
The Fair introduces the Hunter College community to a number of non-profit organizations "that work for the rights of women, girls, youth, workers, immigrants and LGBTQ communities."
The Fair enables non-profit organizations to do outreach on campus; inform students about internships and volunteer work; disseminate information about programs and services; and encourage students to become more socially engaged… read more
Barrier Free Living’s Freedom House Presents At Domestic Violence Conference
Two team members from Barrier Free Living's Freedom House domestic violence shelter will present at the End Violence Against Women International (EVAWI) conference in Orlando in April.
Cynthia Amodeo and Aida Colon will present "Barriers to Seeking Safety" discussing barriers people with disabilities face when coming into shelter and what the Freedom House team is doing to overcome those barriers.
The EVAWI International Conference on Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, and Systems Change is April 18 - 20, 2017 in Orlando, FL.… read more
Freedom House Celebration Of Love
Barrier Free Living's Freedom House domestic violence shelter held a Celebration of Love event in February for residents.
The event included special activities for both adults and kids and included gift bags, baking and music.… read more
Secret Garden Presents On Domestic Violence & Disability
Social Workers from Barrier Free Living's Secret Garden domestic violence program did a presentation on the intersection of domestic violence and disability to 15 Administration for Children's Services (ACS) workers In January.
The interactive presentation aimed to raise awareness related to ACS practices.… read more
Pajama Program Donates PJS To Kids At BFL Domestic Violence Programs
The Pajama Program donated over 50 pairs of pajamas to the kids living at Barrier Free Living's domestic violence programs this winter.
The Pajama Program sets a goal for "every child to feel the love and comfort that lets them escape into peaceful sleep, and to awaken empowered with the energy and resilience that can change every one of their days for the better. We accomplish this with the rather… read more
Programa de Pijamas Dona Pijamas a los Niños en los Programas de Violencia Doméstica de BFL
El Programa de Pijamas (The Pajama Program) donó más de 50 pares de pijamas a los niños que viven en los programas de violencia doméstica de Barrier Free Living este invierno.
El Programa de Pijamas establece un objetivo de "permitir a cada niño sentir el amor y la comodidad que le permite escaparse en un sueño pacífico, y despertar con el poder de la energía y la resistencia que… read more
Larry Wilson Joins Freedom House Team
Larry Wilson, who recently joined the Freedom House team as a social worker, has always been keen on making a difference.
Wilson, who started his journey with the agency as an intern at Freedom House, is excited to be pursuing his goals and to "learn about family dynamics in the context of trauma." When he's not working, Wilson loves to read, and hopes one day to make it to Burning Man.
We caught up… read more
Larry Wilson Se Une al Equipo de Freedom House
Larry Wilson, quien recientemente se unió al equipo de Freedom House como trabajador social, siempre ha estado interesado en hacer una diferencia.
Wilson, quien comenzó su jornada con la agencia en su practica profesional en Freedom House, está emocionado de seguir sus metas y de "aprender sobre la dinámica familiar en el contexto del trauma". Cuando no está trabajando, a Wilson le encanta leer y espera un día llegar a ir a… read more
Young Freedom House Resident’s Poem of Hope
A young resident at Barrier Free Living's Freedom House domestic violence shelter shared a poem of hope and healing to start the new year.
The "Silent Girl" is part of a family that experienced domestic violence and abuse prior to finding safe shelter at Freedom House in 2016. The family received therapy and support services and plans to move into a permanent home in 2017.… read more
Barrier Free Living’s Secret Garden Empowerment Groups Thrive In 2017
The Occupational Therapy team at Barrier Free Living's Secret Garden domestic violence program kicked off 2017 with a host of weekly empowerment groups for consumers, from Money Matters to Self Care.
The monthly cycle of groups include Creatively Empowered, Money Matters, Beauty and Self Care, and Movement and Fitness.
The groups provide a "safe and open environment for participants to learn steps to improve self-esteem and stress management skills. It allows clients to gain… read more
Kids Of BFL Apartments Perform Charlie Brown Play
Kids living at Barrier Free Living Apartments performed a Charlie Brown Thanksgiving play at the complex's community event in November.
The play kicked off the BFL Apartments' community Thanksgiving dinner, and drew a crowd of enthused parents, friends and staff.
Tenants and staff pitched in to create the magical set, sew and decorate costumes and set the stage for an unforgettable show. The theatre group hopes to do another show in the near future.
BFL Apartments offers permanent homes for survivors of… read more
Hearts Of Gold Donates Gift Bags To Freedom House Pregnant Moms
Hearts of Gold donated bath and shower gift bags to the pregnant moms at Barrier Free Living Freedom House domestic violence shelter.
The mission of Hearts of Gold, which has supported Freedom House in various capacities over the past few years, is "re-imagining the future of homeless mothers and their children, together by helping them to become confident and self-sufficient as they prepare to transition out of New York City shelter… read more
BFL Apartments Community Halloween Party Draws Kids, Parents, Staff
BFL Apartments held a fun and festive community Halloween party for tenants and staff on October 25.
The event included lunch, a costume contest and activities for the kids.
BFL Apartments in the Bronx offers permanent homes for survivors of domestic violence with disabilities and veterans with disabilities and includes on site counseling, skill-building… read more
Exhibit Features Art By Children Of Barrier Free Living’s Freedom House Shelter
Art created by the children living at Barrier Free Living's Freedom House domestic violence shelter will be on display Monday October 17.
The exhibit is presented by the NYC Mayor's Office to Combat Domestic Violence, NYC Human Resources Administration and Gibney Dance Company.
The event will be held at 53A Chambers Street on Monday October 17 from 4pm-6pm.… read more
Freedom House Team Joins Brides March On September 26
Freedom House domestic violence shelter team members attended this year's Bride's March.
The March (where participants wear wedding gowns) "mourns the victims of domestic violence while raising awareness of the horrors of this antisocial criminal behavior."
The Gladys Ricart and Victims of Domestic Violence Memorial Walk/Brides’ March is an annual event which was started in New York City in 2001 to remember Gladys Ricart, a Dominican woman from Washington Heights, who was murdered… read more