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BFL Team Denim Day Events

April 26, 2023 Uncategorized 0 Comments
Barrier Free Living team members participated in Denim Day (April 26) 2023 attending demonstrations in New York City and by unveiling a quilt made by staff and survivors at its shelter and programs. Denim Day is an annual campaign held in April in honor of Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Team members also attended an April 26 tabling event, sponsored by the… read more

Former Freedom House Resident Honored with New Destiny Resilience Award

April 25, 2023 Uncategorized 0 Comments
Photo from L to R: Tiffany El-Amin, Program Director at The Kira, Diane Mullins, Resilience Award Recipient, Nicole Branca, Executive Director of New Destiny Housing. Photo above and below: Ben Gabbe Photography Former Freedom House resident Diane Mullins received the Resilience Award at the New Destiny Housing 2023 benefit: Building Homes, Building Hope. Accepting the award at the April 20 benefit, Ms. Mullins thanked Freedom House saying "Freedom House connected me to… read more

BFL’s Simone Allen Honored With 2023 Purple Ribbon Award

April 17, 2023 Uncategorized 0 Comments
Barrier Free Living's Occupational Therapy (OT) Program Manager Simone Allen has been named the 2023 Purple Ribbon Award winner in the category of Outstanding Healthcare Professional. "I am so honored to be the recipient of the Purple Ribbon Award for Outstanding Healthcare Professional!" says Simone. "It's so wonderful to see that the hard work that takes place behind the scenes at Barrier Free Living doesn't go unnoticed, and I know… read more

Volunteer Spotlight: Kitty Shares Her Talents & Art!

March 23, 2023 Uncategorized 0 Comments
Inspired by Barrier Free Living's (BFL) work with survivors of domestic violence with disabilities, artist Kitty reached out to the agency this winter ready to make a difference. This spring she will be creating a colorful wall mural at BFL's Freedom House domestic violence shelter. And this March, she is sharing her incredible talents (photos featured above and below) at the New York City art show INTER-RITUALS: Between Materiality and… read more

Barrier Free Living Tenant’s “The History of Me” ARTkive Show

March 16, 2023 Uncategorized 0 Comments
Tenant's at Barrier Free Living's supportive housing program (BFLA) in the Bronx showcased artwork "exploring past, present and future" at an event held in the community room this March. Participants worked with BFLS's occupational therapy team to create expressive pieces that included varied mediums, from painted pottery to plants and hand painted rearview mirrors. BFL works with survivors of domestic violence with disabilities at… read more

Kids & Adults Celebrate Black History Month With Art Show at BFLA Apartments

March 10, 2023 Uncategorized 0 Comments
  Adults and kids living at Barrier Free Living's BFLA Apartments supportive housing program in the Bronx celebrated Black History Month with an art show and exhibit. During March, BFLA's newly renovated kid's learning center hosted a series of educational and art activities where the children learned about the life and works of artists Jean Michel Basquiat and… read more

BFL Celebrates Intertwine Arts

March 2, 2023 Uncategorized 0 Comments
A supporter and collaborator offering weaving classes to survivors of domestic violence with disabilities at our programs, the former SAORI Arts has a new name! BFL is grateful to be featured on the group's partner webpage. SAORI shares: We founded SAORI Arts NYC in 2015 to bring the unique philosophy of SAORI weaving to people of all ages with developmental, physical, or mental disabilities or chronic illness… read more

Valentine Project Brings Heart-Felt Joy To BFL Survivors

February 15, 2023 Uncategorized 0 Comments
For the third year in a row, survivors of domestic violence with disabilities at Barrier Free Living’s (BFL) programs received gorgeous gift bags prepared by the Valentine Community Project. The project delivered 160 gift bags to BFL.  Overall the project delivered gift bags to 548 residents at 15 shelters for people fleeing domestic abuse and trafficking Emily Valentine Sottile shares how the project came to be: “The Valentine Community Project is a community… read more

Barrier Free Living Supportive Housing Program Hosts Tenant Holiday Event

December 21, 2022 Uncategorized 0 Comments
Barrier Free Living's supportive housing program in the Bronx hosted a community-building holiday event for tenants this month. In addition to a "winter wonderland" scene set up for the kids to take photos on the roof garden, tenants were given gingerbread house kits during the gathering which featured a buffet. Barrier Free Living works with survivors of domestic violence with disabilities at our shelter and programs. Learn how to make a… read more

Freedom Boutique At Freedom House

December 7, 2022 Uncategorized 0 Comments
Barrier Free Living's Freedom House domestic violence shelter had a community building event this month with its Freedom Boutique. Simone Allen, Occupational Therapy Program Manager, says the boutique offers "clothing that has been donated by partner organizations and staff to the (Freedom House) residents and their families."  Freedom House also offers 1:1 work with residents at its in-house pantry.… read more

Paul Feuerstein Honored With Lifetime Achievement Award

December 7, 2022 Uncategorized 0 Comments
Barrier Free Living CEO/Founder Paul Feuerstein was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the December 6 NYC Advocate Reception hosted by the Mayors Office to End Gender Based Violence at Gracie Mansion in New York City. Cecile Noel, Commissioner of the Mayor’s Office to End Domestic Violence and Gender-Based Violence (ENDGBV), presented the award to Paul for his years of advocacy helping make domestic violence services accessible for all… read more

Family Beehive Brings Warmth To Secret Garden

December 1, 2022 Uncategorized 0 Comments
Participants at Barrier Free Living's (BFL)  Secret Garden domestic violence program received coats, scarves and a community lunch this month thanks to the generosity of the Family Beehive. Family Beehive is a virtual, collaborative community that uplifts and supports women and their families through health and wellness, legal aid, artistic and cultural enrichment, educational and financial support, counseling, and mentorship. The gathering… read more

BFL 5th Annual Clothesline Event Builds Community

October 26, 2022 Uncategorized 0 Comments
Staff, tenants and other domestic violence service providers gathered for Barrier Free Living's 5th annual Clothesline Project 2022 on Oct. 20 at our supportive housing program in the Bronx. The amazing BFL Clothesline featured dozens of t-shirts created by tenants, residents and participants from our domestic violence programs. The event, which was in the parking lot area, drew the local community and supporters who were able to create and decorate their own t-shirt with a message relating… read more

Paul B. Feuerstein, CEO/Founder of Barrier Free Living Announces Plan To Retire

September 22, 2022 Uncategorized 0 Comments
An advocate and visionary for survivors of domestic violence with disabilities for over four decades, Paul B. Feuerstein CEO/Founder of Barrier Free Living (BFL) will retire December 30, 2022. Beginning in 1981, Paul was a driving force behind BFL's ground-breaking programs, including Freedom House the nation’s first fully accessible shelter for survivors. He will continue to consult on the agency’s newest vision Freedom Village. "I've been pondering retirement since I… read more

Barrier Free Living Has Improved Support For Deaf Survivors Of Abuse

September 6, 2022 Uncategorized 0 Comments
Through its CJII-funded Deaf Services Initiative, over the past three years Barrier Free Living has improved support for deaf survivors of abuse by enhancing communication support and technology, improving collaboration among external service providers, and engaging community partners in deaf-specific trainings and resources. The complete findings and evaluation are linked below. Enhancing Communication & Collaboration to Address Barriers for Deaf Survivors: Evaluation Findings and Policy Recommendations — CUNY Institute for State & Local Governance (ISLG).… read more

BFL 6th Annual Clothesline Project October 4

August 29, 2022 Uncategorized 0 Comments
Barrier Free Living (BFL) will hold our 6th annual Clothesline Project on Oct. 4, 2023 from 10am-1pm at our supportive housing program in the Bronx. (Mapquest info./directions) The amazing BFL Clothesline will be on display, featuring t-shirts created by tenants, residents and participants from our domestic violence programs, along with staff and supporters. Each shirt is hand-made and features a heart-felt message about ending domestic violence.… read more

Barrier Free Living Receives Most Innovative Services Purple Ribbon Award

August 17, 2022 Uncategorized 0 Comments
For Immediate Release: Scott Hess [email protected] Barrier Free Living Receives Most Innovative Services Purple Ribbon Award $30,000 in Grants to be Revealed Live on Sept. 21 August 22, 2022 – Barrier Free Living (BFL) received a 2022 Purple Ribbon Award from DomesticShelters.org for Innovative Services at its programs for survivors of domestic violence with disabilities. Cynthia Amodeo, BFL’s Chief Program Officer… read more

Edward Joins BFL Learning Center Team

July 22, 2022 Uncategorized 0 Comments
As the newest member of Barrier Free Living Apartments learning center team, Edward says he hopes to inspire the kids not only to learn responsibility but to have fun. Born and raised in New York City, Edward joined BFL in 2021 excited to meet new people and experience a different type of work environment. The position has been a great fit. "The joy of working with children is that I get to… read more

Barrier Free Living Awarded $6.9 Million For Freedom Village

July 21, 2022 Uncategorized 0 Comments
A rendering of the proposed “Freedom Village” affordable housing complex. JCJ Articteture Governor Kathy Hochul announced that $104 million has been awarded to create or preserve 864 affordable homes in 16 separate developments across New York. A $6.9 million award is for Freedom Village on East 2nd Street in Manhattan's Bowery neighborhood. The development is being constructed on the site of a demolished office and transitional housing building owned by… read more

NYC Fashion High School Show Shines Light On Domestic Violence Awareness

July 12, 2022 Uncategorized 0 Comments
A series of workshops at The High School of Fashion Industries in New York City about sexual violence, teen relationship abuse and healthy relationships inspired a powerful event (and video above) in 2022. Hannah Johnson, the relationship abuse prevention program coordinator and counselor (RAPP) at the school, worked with the peer leadership club to come up with a creative way to communicate messaging related to *Denim Day with the students. “We learned about Denim Day and students wanted… read more

Volunteer Brings Career Empowerment Workshops To BFL

July 6, 2022 Uncategorized 0 Comments
Barrier Free Living has a history of rich volunteer connections, from corporate groups sprucing up a community room to new supporters like Ashley Cheung.  This past year, Ashley brought a wealth of HR experience to our programs for survivors of domestic violence with disabilities through workshops and 1-1 work.  What inspired you to volunteer at Barrier Free Living? I find purpose in empowering others and became a rape crisis counselor upon moving to NYC… read more

Open Host Features Barrier Free Living & Crime Victims Service Award Honor

June 2, 2022 Uncategorized 0 Comments
OPEN Host Daren Jaime sits down with the President & CEO of Barrier Free Living, Paul Feuerstein who speaks on the organization receiving the National Crime Victims' Service Award for Professional Innovation in Victim Services for their work supporting survivors of violence who are disabled.… read more