Barrier Free Living Holding Inc

OUR VISION IS A BARRIER FREE WORLD. WE STRIVE FOR A WORLD FREE FROM ABUSE AND BIAS, WHERE PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES LIVE IN A SUPPORTIVE PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT. IN THIS WORLD, SOCIETY VALUES ALL ITS MEMBERS AND INDIVDUALS WITH DISABILITIES ARE FREE OF ANY BARRIERS PREVENTING THEM FROM REACHING THEIR FULLEST POTENTIAL.

BARRIER FREE LIVING APARTMENTS (BFLA) SUPPORTIVE HOUSING PROGRAM-SEE SCHEDULE OBARRIER FREE LIVING APARTMENTS (BFLA) SUPPORTIVE HOUSING PROGRAM OPENED IN THE SUMMER OF 2015. THE TWO-BUILDING COMPLEX OF 120 APARTMENTS PROVIDES SAFE, ACCESSIBLE PERMANENT HOMES TO FAMILIES WITH A HEAD OF HOUSEHOLD WHO IS A SURVIVOR OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND WHO HAS A DISABILITY. THE COMPLEX ALSO PROVIDES STUDIO APARTMENTS FOR SINGLE ADULTS WITH A MENTAL HEALTH DISABILITY, INCLUDING SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE WITH DISABILITIES AND VETERANS. IN-HOUSE SUPPORT SERVICES INCLUDE COUNSELING, CASE MANAGEMENT, OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY, LEARNING CENTER FOR CHILDREN, SUPPORT AND RECREATIONAL GROUPS, AND A PSYCHIATRIC NURSE PRACTITIONER ONE DAY PER WEEK.OT WEEKLY GROUPS AT BFLA WERE VERY ENGAGING AND GREATLY APPRECIATED BY THE TENANTS. THE GROUPS OFFERED TENANTS AN ARRAY OF LIFE SKILLS THAT MANY TENANTS NEED TO FACE THEIR CHALLENGES. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND MENTAL HYGIENE'S (DOHMH) AUDITOR MENTIONED THAT GROUPS WERE A GREAT RESOURCE FOR THE TENANTS. THE LEARNING CENTER HAS CONSISTENTLY BEEN OPEN THROUGHOUT THE PANDEMIC. WITH TUTORING AND CELEBRATING ALL HOLIDAY EVENTS. INCLUDING GRADUATIONS AND BACK TO SCHOOL PARTIES. TENANTS AND THE CHILDREN WERE ABLE TO GET NEEDED SUPPORT FROM THE COMMUNITY AND NAVIGATE THE VIRTUAL WORLD THANKS TO THE LEARNING CENTER TEAM.

SECRET GARDEN- SEE SCHEDULE OSECRET GARDEN:SECRET GARDEN (SG) PROVIDES COUNSELING, CASE MANAGEMENT, ADVOCACY, LEGAL, AND REFERRAL SERVICES. IN 2021, SG SERVED APPROXIMATELY 171 SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE WITH DISABILITIES IN THE FIVE BOROUGHS PER MONTH, WITH OVER 502 NEW INTAKES SCREENED EACH MONTH FOR SERVICES. IN 2021, SG SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCHED A MEN'S SUPPORT GROUP TO HELP MALE DV SURVIVORS TO PROCESS THEIR EXPERIENCES IN A SAFE, JUDGMENT-FREE ENVIRONMENT. SG HAS PROVIDED ITS CLIENTS WITH FOOD, MEDICAL EQUIPMENT NEEDS, CLOTHING, MONEY FOR BIRTH CERTIFICATES , IDENTIFICATION, SCHOOL NEEDS, CLOTHING AND FURNITURE. CLIENTS OF SG HAVE SECURED HOUSING (SOME THROUGH BFLA), FACED THEIR ABUSERS IN COURT HEARINGS, ACQUIRED EMOTIONAL SUPPORT ANIMALS, SECURED PERMANENT EMPLOYMENT, LEARNED TO SET BOUNDARIES WITH FAMILY, AND EXCELLED IN COLLEGE. SG ALSO HIRED A NEW ASSISTANT PROGRAM DIRECTOR IN 2021.THE DEAF SERVICES TEAM HAS BEEN WORKING WITH THE NYPD TO CREATE TEXT 911 MORE ACCESSIBLE TO THE DEAF COMMUNITY FOR SUPPORT AND SERVICES FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. THE LEGAL DEPARTMENT ASSISTED SURVIVORS WITH OBTAINING ORDERS OF PROTECTION, DIVORCES, AS WELL AS CUSTODY AND VISITATION ORDERS. SURVIVORS WERE ACCOMPANIED TO LAW ENFORCEMENT INTERVIEWS TO HELP ADVOCATE FOR AND ASSIST CRIMINAL INVESTIGATIONS. LEGAL ASSISTANCE WAS ALSO PROVIDED FOR FAIR HEARINGS REGARDING CHILD WELFARE AND PUBLIC ASSISTANCE. SURVIVORS WERE ADVISED ON VARIOUS FAMILY LAW TOPICS AND GIVEN ASSISTANCE ON HOW TO SELF-ADVOCATE IN THE COURT, WITH COUNSEL, AND OTHER PARTIES. AGENCY WIDE TRAINING WAS PROVIDED TO ASSIST AGENCY STAFF WITH UNDERSTANDING LEGAL PROCESSES AND TOPICS.SG COLLABORATES TO PROVIDE CASE MANAGEMENT STAFF AT THE QUEENS, MANHATTAN, BROOKLYN AND STATEN ISLAND FAMILY JUSTICE CENTERS AND ALSO PARTNERS WITH SANCTUARY FOR FAMILIES FOR LEGAL ASSISTANCE AND CRIME VICTIMS TREATMENT CENTER FOR SEXUAL ASSAULT SERVICES, IN ADDITION TO OTHER COMMUNITY-BASED ORGANIZATIONS