New Visions Blog

Come celebrate the 25th Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) with NYC Parks! In Invitation to Dance 23-year-old Simi Linton was injured while hitchhiking to Washington to protest the war in Vietnam. Suddenly a young disabled college student, she confronted discrimination she couldn't have imagined before. Simi emerges as a resourceful activist, and in time realizes that love, sexuality, and dance can once again be central to her life. McCarren Park, Brooklyn NY. Sunday, July 5, 2015 3:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m. Info. here.… read more

Barrier Free Living's Secret Garden Domestic Violence program held a Caregivers Celebration on June 18. The event was to honor "all caregivers--parents, family, friends and foremost all the people who have cared for us and our ability to care for ourselves." Program Director Georgette Delinois (pictured at far left) kicked off the program which include an interpretive dance performance, a display of crochet work and a lunch buffet.… read more

The Campaign 4 NY/NY Housing held a rally Friday, June 12th  at 11:00am at Governor’s Cuomo’s NYC office (633 Third Avenue –between 40th & 41st Streets) in support of a new statewide supportive housing agreement. BFL's new Supportive Housing team attended. Pictured, from left are Program Director Thomas Obrzut and Director of Social Services Denise Shaw The Campaign is calling 35,000 units of supportive housing for individuals and families with special needs over the next 10… read more

Second Chance Toys posted about the Viacommunity Day 2015. BFL's domestic violence programs received over 100 toys for young residents. Read the post here.… read more

Barrier Free Living's Supportive Housing program is slated to open late spring/early summer 2015. Pictured above in a new studio unit are: Thomas Obrzut, Program Director, and Denise Shaw, Director of Social Services. More information… read more

Families from BFL's Secret Garden and Freedom House domestic violence programs were the honored guests at an Easter event featuring a sumptuous luncheon, an Easter egg decorating station and a whole lot of sparkle. Spread The Sparkle, an organization whose mission is to "create events focused on celebrating family for individuals and kids who have no prior traditions",  treated 8 BFL families to a day of joy. The luncheon, prepared by Valerie and… read more

http://youtu.be/AbqT_ubkT0Y In celebration of International Women's Day, take part in YouTube’s global #DearMe initiative to inspire and empower young girls everywhere. We all know that growing up is tough. But if you could go back in time, what wisdom would you share with your teenage self? It all starts with two words. Dear Me… read more

For NYC children & Youth with disabilities and their families. Summer Fun & More has expanded to offer a face-to-face opportunity to explore an incredible range of year-round programs, afterschool supports, arts, travel, sports, and health resources. Exciting newcomers to the fair include the Metropolitan Museum of Art, MoMA, Brooklyn Robot Foundry, NY Transit Museum, NYC Parks and Recreation, Brooklyn Conservatory of Music, Easter Seals, Sparkidz, Reel Abilities, the 92nd Street… read more

http://youtu.be/ZAgXgKQ7viY UNYQ reported: “It’s been crazy,” said Minsky. “People are starting to recognize me so this was the best possible opportunity to show off my freshly designed fairing.” Retired Marine Cpl. Alex Minsky’s life took a surreal and unexpected turn this year as he sat on a couch next to Barbara Walters , Sherri Shepherd, andJenny McCarthy . The ladies of The View were admiring him, not just over his heroic military service or the fact that he’d been… read more

E-Pao.net reports: Emphasizing the significance of organizing awareness programme at the village level, Mangboi Singsit, Project Officer of Manipur North Economic Development Association (MANEDA) has pointed out that most of the disabled people living in villages are victims of domestic violence and they don't enjoyed the rights entitled to them by the Constitution of India. The Project Officer of MANEDA was speaking during a Seminar on the Rights of Persons with Disability jointly organized by All Disabled Union Sadar Hills (ADUSH)… read more

A look at Purposeful Parenting as it relates to domestic violence. BFL's Cynthia Amodeo explores the topic. July was Purposeful Parenting month, which led to a flurry of articles, Facebook posts and twitter bites regarding the concept.  In general, Purposeful Parenting aims to build healthy relationships with children, to understand a child’s development and to help them grow in a way that emphasizes their potential.  Being “purposeful” in parenting can include meeting a child’s essential needs (bathing, feeding) or involve more… 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

The AHA Foundation's 3rd Annual Conference will take place on December 4, 2013 in New York City. The AHA Foundation is a non-profit organization that works to prevent violence against women and girls.  The 2013 conference will address the topics of Honor Violence, Forced Marriage and Female Genital Mutilation - issues that affect individuals and youth from a wide variety of immigrant communities, in New York City and beyond. View the conference agenda.… read more

Mayor's Office to Combat Domestic Violence Commissioner Yolanda B. Jimenez has unveiled a multi-layered public service campaign that will empower victims of intimate partner violence to seek the help they need. "That's Abuse" will appear at bus shelters, subway cars and platforms, grocery store circulars, community-based organizations, businesses throughout key neighborhoods, and common areas at numerous City agencies. This citywide campaign seeks to connect with victims through words and images that capture the emotional impact of abuse. Survivors of domestic violence… read more

The AWARE October 18th fundraiser at NYC Bar 13 to benefit Barrier Free Living’s Freedom House raised over $25,000 for disabled domestic violence victims and their families. Pictured, Paul Feuerstein, President/CEO BFL and Isa Martinez, Director, Freedom House. Visit AWARE to view event photos, donate or learn more.… read more

Opening this month, the film The Intouchables is the true story of a wealthy, physically disabled risk taker, the picture of established French nobility, who lost his wife in an accident and whose world is turned upside down when he hires a young, good-humored, black Muslim ex-con as his caretaker. Their bond proves the power and omniscience that love and friendship can hold over all social and economic… read more

Senate ForumVideo The Senate Democratic Conference held a public forum on the need to provide additional protections for those affected by domestic violence. The forum was convened to highlight legislation sponsored by members of the Democratic Conference which the Senate Republican Majority has refused to move out of committee and bring to the floor for a vote. Attendees at today’s forum included Democratic Senators as well as activists, legislators and criminal justice professionals… read more

Volunteers from Goldman Sachs were on hand to make the annual Freedom House Emergency Shelter summer BBQ a success on June 2. Eighteen team members from Goldman Sachs ran activities and helped create a summer feast for fifteen families at the shelter… read more

On May 24, 2012 BFL successfully closed on a $3,050,000 loan with the Corporation for our newest Supportive Housing vision. BFL now officially owns the property and we can get our architects and engineers working on designing the building. See Supportive Housing page for details.… read more

BFL's Freedom House Emergency Shelter held the annual Handprints of the Heart event this May, working with volunteers from Goldman Sachs. Resident families and children took part in crafts, empowerment activities and created a garden on the patio.… read more

Art Connects New York opens the group exhibition, "Ask and I Will Tell" Thursday, May 17th at Amethyst Women's Project, a Coney-Island based organization serving women adversely impacted by substance abuse, HIV/AIDS, and domestic violence.… read more

BFL's Women's Day Event on May 5 drew a standing room only crowd from the Secret Garden and Transitional Housing Programs. View the event video.… 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