New Visions Blog

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A born storyteller, New Jersey native Dorian Palumbo is keen on using data to shape a compelling narrative, a trait that serves her well as Barrier Free Living's (BFL) new Quality Assurance Specialist. The Quality Assurance Specialist will ensure that BFL’s program operations fully comply with regulations and procedures set out by regulatory bodies, governmental entities, and funders. Joining the team in February of 2024, Dorian brings a wealth of life experience… read more

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BFL CEO Cynthia Amodeo is featured in a recent issue of The City: Among the places taking advantage of the generous solar incentives: A New York City domestic violence crisis shelter, which Solar One is helping to outfit with rooftop solar panels, pending permit approvals. The cost is about $132,000, with a lifetime savings of $206,000 and payback within 14 years, according to figures by Solar One. “When we took a look at our… read more

The New York Mets donated 100 tickets to the July 11 Citifield game to Barrier Free Living making for a joyful afternoon at the ball park. Staff, tenants, residents and participants of our programs for survivors of domestic violence with disabilities enjoyed the game, which was a win for the Mets! Adults and kids attended the game, including BFL CEO Cynthia… read more

Barrier Free Living is  featured in a Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation Spotlight Story. Read the story.  The Reeve Foundation Quality of Life Grants Program provides funding to organizations seeking to improve access and services for people with paralysis, including shelters that serve survivors of domestic violence. For more information, visit the website… read more

Barrier Free Living has been endorsed by The Office for the Prevention of Domestic Violence (OPDV) as LGBTQ+ inclusive, having met certain LGBTQ+ program standards. The news was part of an announcement by Governor Kathy Hochul noting a $5.4 million investment in the LGBTQ+ community in New York.  Read the press release.  Details from the announcement include: Strengthening LGBTQ+ Inclusive Domestic Violence Programs The LGBTQ+ Endorsement Program, first announced by Governor Hochul as a pilot in June 2022, is dedicated… read more

Volunteer Emersen Panigrahi shares her time and talents with BFL this summer, contributing to our blog for June with an LGBTQIA+ Pride post. Emersen is a current sophomore at New York University. Her academic interests include political science, gender and sexuality studies, and creative writing. Outside of school, she enjoys photography and filmmaking. Emersen has a strong passion for social justice and activism and is grateful to be working with BFL. This June, join us in our celebration of Pride Month… read more

Barrier Free Living (BFL)  is honored to be a Semi-Finalist in the prestigious 4th Annual New York City Imagine Awards. BFL is a Semi-Finalist  for the JP Morgan Chase Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Accessibility (DEIA) Award. "This recognition is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the entire Barrier Free Living team for serving the disabled community and for DEI in all aspects of our lives," says BFL… read more

Barrier Free Living CEO Cynthia Amodeo met with the Cyprus based Association for the Prevention and Handling of Violence in the Family in May. The meeting was held at Barrier Free Living's Freedom House domestic violence shelter where a discussion of domestic violence services and shared goals took place. Learn more. … read more

Barrier Free Living CEO Cynthia Amodeo is featured in the May 10, 2024 PIX11 News story sharing her expertise. View the video.… read more

Barrier Free Living's Freedom House shelter for survivors of domestic violence with disabilities held a special Mother's Day event this week. Entertainer Michelle DellaFave (photo above) headlined the community dinner. Michelle became a familiar face to millions of television viewers in the late 1960s and early '70s through her work each week on Dean Martin’s NBC television series. The event is held annually at… read more

Barrier Free Living (BFL) is excited to congratulate Dr. Michelle S. Ballan on her 2024 National Crime Victims' Service Building Knowledge Through Research Award. On April 25. 2024 Assistant Attorney General Amy L. Solomon and Office for Victims of Crime Director Kristina Rose recognized 8 individuals and organizations for their advocacy, innovation, and research on behalf of victims of crime. “We recognize the individuals and organizations represented here that go above and beyond to assist others in… read more

The teams at Barrier Free Living (BFL) celebrated Denim Day on April 24, 2024 wearing denim and hosting events at BFL's programs for survivors of domestic violence with disabilities. Denim Day NYC is a coalition of survivors, advocates, community organizations, city council members, and city agencies working together to raise awareness about sexual assault. Denim Day NYC hosts events throughout the year… read more

Barrier Free Living CEO Cynthia Amodeo will be part of a presentation during the 2024 Freedom Network USA Beyond the Fundamentals Conference April 18-19 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Freedom Network USA "mobilizes its collective strength to build a transformative approach to human trafficking that is grounded in anti-racism and anti-oppression." The 2024 conference will focus on the specialized approach to serving survivors with varying needs and identities… read more

Barrier Free Living's Erika Calderon, Program Director at Secret Garden, shares her insights on Chuck Kelleher's podcast Why Daddy Never Cries. Chuck says: "Listening to Erika speak, you hear the compassion, the understanding, and the desire to end all domestic violence. Speaking to Erika today has reaffirmed my belief that the system can be changed, fixed, or call it what you will. The fight against all forms of domestic… read more

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The kids at Barrier Free Living's supportive housing program (BFLA) in the Bronx took part in a dynamic Black History Month celebration this February. The BFLA learning center team organized the event which included the kids performing on the Djembe Drums. Also, the occupational therapy team displayed art work created in honor of Black History Month. A buffet was served.… read more

This month, Barrier Free Living's supportive housing program (BFLA) in the Bronx had events for American Heart Awareness and Teen Dating Violence Awareness. BFLA tenants learned tips on how to maintain a healthy heart by: * Knowing and controlling your blood pressure. * Controlling and managing diabetes. * Quiting smoking. * Eating and drinking healthy. * Being active. * Managing stress. Also, Teen Dating Violence Awareness was celebrated at BFLA. Teens and families learned… read more

Beautiful hand-knitted scarves were donated to Barrier Free Living's (BFL) programs for survivors of domestic violence with disabilities again this February. Bryant Park Corp. donated 150 scarves which were distributed to all programs, including those working with kids. "We are so grateful for this wonderful donation every winter! The scarves are truly works of art and are made with such care," says Scott Hess, BFL Director of Communication & Development. Read about… read more

A new collaboration, working with the non-profit For Goodness Cakes, is bringing joy and sweets to Barrier Free Living's programs for survivors of domestic violence with disabilities. This February several program events benefitted from delicious donated cupcakes, including BFL's Freedom House domestic violence shelter.  Freedom House celebrated Black History month by honoring Mr. Garett Morgan (1877-1963) who invented the three position traffic light signal. The kids made… read more

Generous donors brought light and joy to Barrier Free Living's (BFL) programs for survivors of domestic violence with disabilities this Valentine's Day. The Valentine Community Project delivered beautiful gift bags to our programs (photo above) for another year (donating since 2021!). Additionally, the Corporate Pero Latinos (partnering with Wine on Wheels) are also donating items to the programs this Valentine's season. "We are so grateful to… read more

A Brazilian-American artist from Harlem, NYC Jon Souza AKA Phes (Instagram: @mcmaniphes) brought his abundant talent to Barrier Free Living’s supportive housing program in the Bronx this winter, creating two dynamic murals in the lobbies of the Family and Singles' buildings. “Growing Together (family side) is a mural created in collaboration with the tenants of BFL." says Phes. "The elements of the piece reflect some of the work done in our… read more

Anthony Harris has joined the Barrier Free Living team as a Behavioral Health Coordinator (LMSW) at the agency's supportive housing program in the Bronx. Anthony’s prior experience includes working with the Department of Health shelter system, with the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) as a project manage manager for work site wellness, and serving as a social worker with correctional health services for those with mental health needs… read more

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEScott Hess [email protected] BARRIER FREE LIVING NAMES DIANA TURNER AS CHIEF PROGRAM OFFICER NEW YORK, NY, January 18, 2024  – Barrier Free Living (BFL) has announced the promotion of  Diana Turner to the position of Chief Program Officer. In this new capacity Turner will be responsible for strengthening and developing programming with the goal of enhancing the quality of life for survivors with disabilities. Turner began with BFL in 2019 as the Program… read more

Barrier Free Living (BFL) drew supporters, survivors and staff to its Raise the Roof fundraiser held at New York City's Museum of the City of New York  on December 11, 2024. The event raised $36,000 toward making Barrier Free Living's Freedom House domestic violence shelter an environmentally safe and economically efficient shelter by  installing a solar roof in 2024. Fundraising continues into 2024 with an… read more

BFL's was featured on NYC Bus Kiosks as part of the Mayor's Office to ENDGBV 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign this winter. "We are so grateful we were included. The city-wide exposure allowed us to reach and alert so many people about the services we provide to survivors of domestic violence with disabilities," says Scott Hess, BFL Director of Communication & Development. The 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based… read more

A Brazilian-American artist from Harlem, NYC Jon Souza AKA Phes brought his abundant talent to Barrier Free Living's supportive housing program in the Bronx this winter, creating a dynamic mural in the lobby. Phes is a visual artist, emcee, producer, and educator born and raised in New York who was "inspired by Hip Hop from an early age and started writing graffiti and rhymes… read more

  When 2023 volunteer Darlene asked what she might contribute to Barrier Free Living (BFL), the concept of bold, brilliant murals was not on the wish list. A few months later (after learning about Darlene's incredible talent) BFL's Freedom House domestic violence shelter has two new murals (with a third underway!) The murals brighten a kid's game room and a basement area, both… read more

Barrier Free Living CEO Cynthia Amodeo has been invited to be a member of the newly announced Special Victims Division Advisory Council ("the Advisory Council"). Manhattan District Attorney Alvin L. Bragg, Jr., announced the creation of the Advisory Council to allow the District Attorney and his staff to gain input from a large variety of external stakeholders on a quarterly basis. Read the press release.… read more