Fall 2012 - The Actors Fund

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2 neWs Community & Collaboration in Los Angeles Los Angeles has been called the “entertainment capital of the world.” According to the 2011 OTIS Report on the Creative Economy, the LA entertainment business accounts for an estimated $71.1 billion in economic impact, and more than a quarter-million jobs in the area. That’s big money, but it also means big talent, as Southern California’s creative community is responsible for producing the movies, documentaries, TV shows, music and so much more that drive a considerable portion of that economy. But like everywhere, the current recession has had a negative impact on this community, and in the sprawling Los Angeles region, finding help when you need it can seem daunting. With a metropolitan area spread over 300 square miles, 88 municipalities and a network of more than 500 miles of freeways, Los Angeles has been described as 100 communities in search of a city. Where do you turn when you need help? Thanks to your support, the creative community turns to The Actors Fund. We serve as home-base to thousands of people in entertainment, whether it’s through our support groups, youth programs, health insurance counseling, social services, emergency financial aid, or employment and training services, The Fund is there to lend support, guidance and give a “leg up” to people in our industry. Hollywood has always been there for The Fund—just as The Fund has been there from Hollywood’s beginnings—to help our compatriots in need. From the early days of the industry, when people like Douglas Fairbanks performed in a 1916 “Roman Spectacle” benefit production of Julius Caesar in the Beachwood natural amphitheatre (today’s Hollywood Bowl), to this past March, when the cast of ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy donated a one-night-only benefit at UCLA’s Royce Hall (see p. 1 for a special message from Grey’s executive producer Shonda Rhimes), the tradition of caring for everyone in entertainment continues to this day. To better serve the region, 40 years ago we opened our Los Angeles office, and our presence and programs have grown exponentially since then. Today, 22 LA staff members ensure our myriad programs and services are available to the wide variety of people working in entertainment. From Texas to Washington, our LA office helps people in 14 states (including Alaska and Hawaii). We are there for writers, actors, musicians, gaffers, electricians, camera operators, production assistants, editors, and hundreds of others both “behind the scenes” and “below the line”—everyone who makes the magic happen. Together, we’re creating a unique and much-needed community of entertainment professionals in the area (see p. 3 for an overview of who and how we serve). The Fund provides a vital link, and—most importantly—brings people together so they can help each other. The Los Angeles office—like our New York and Chicago offices— continues to respond to the essential and evolving needs that arise due to national and regional challenges. For example, during the AIDS crisis in the early 1980s, The Fund was there to help people in the industry cope with the Our Los Angeles Office! Our LA staff comprises professional social workers, career counselors, youth specialists and education counselors who specialize in helping our community deal with the unique challenges of a career in entertainment. For a list of our entire team, visit actorsfund.org/staff. Back row (l-r): Meg Thomas, Robin LaBorwit, Mallory Morehead, Amanda Steele, Amy Hammond, Tina Hookom, Ze’Ev Korn, Joanne Webb, Louie Anchondo, Angelique Prahalis, Frank Salamone. Seated (l–r): Dan Kitowski, Karen Hanen, Gregory Polcyn, Annie Keating-Scherer, Joey Shanley, John Mattson. Not pictured: Jan-Kees Van Der Gaag, TaNisha Harris, Keith McNutt, Caitlin Sorenson. Grey’s Anatomy raised $100,000 for The Fund at their March 18 one-night-only event! (l-r): Western Region Director Keith McNutt, Sarah Drew, Trustee Jomarie Ward, Kevin McKidd, Western Council Chair & Vice Chair John Holly & Ilene Graff, Shonda Rhimes, President Joe Benincasa, Kim Raver and James Pickens, Jr. disease, and established a community committed to extending support with dignity and respect for all. In 1998, The Fund opened the Palm View residence, which today provides 40 units for low income people living with HIV/AIDS. The Fund also quickly responded to the industry strike and labor disputes in 2007–08, serving five times the usual number of people helped by the office and distributing more than $1.5 million in emergency grants. More recently, our clients have sought support due to a new wave of regional job losses (see Responding to Unique Economic Challenges in LA on p. 6). All told, The Actors Fund has provided more than $10.7 million in emergency financial aid to nearly 13,000 entertainment professionals across Southern California in the last decade. “There are huge challenges to remaining healthy and creative in this industry,” says Fund Western Council Chair John Holly. “That’s why it’s essential that we build awareness that we’re here for everyone. This community relies on The Fund to overcome issues like lack of work, aging in the industry, and adjusting to quickly evolving trends. We’ve almost doubled the number of people we serve in the last five years alone. That speaks to a real need out there, and it’s a challenge we’re prepared to meet.” In this issue of Marquee, we turn the spotlight on our Los Angeles office. In addition to our front page piece by Shonda Rhimes, you’ll also hear from the clients we serve (pgs. 5 and 6), get a visual snapshot who and how we help (p. 3) and more. Whether it’s through collaboration with other organizations or through our direct services, our goal is always the same—ensuring people in entertainment stay safe, healthy, employed and creative. Here’s to Hollywood! The Western Council Our Western Council works tirelessly to raise awareness about and support for our programs and services for the LA community. They joined Jason Alexander, Scott Bakula and Annie Potts for our June 10 Tony Party at the Skirball Center, where we presented Jason with the Julie Harris Award. Fund Western Region Director Keith McNutt, William Thomas, Ilyanne Morden Kichaven, Michael Medico, Jomarie Ward, Richard Herd, Vice Chair David Rambo, Jason Alexander, Vice Chair Ilene Graff, Scott Bakula, James Karen, John Acosta, Danny Goldman, B. Harlan Boll, Fund Events Manager Meg Thomas. Seated (l–r): Charlotte Rae, Annie Potts. Not pictured: Barbara Allyne Bennet, Joni Berry, Theodore Bikel, John Bowab, Pam Dixon, Budd Friedman, Katherine Fugate, Dan Guerrero, Bridget Hanley, Daniel Henning, John Holly, Scott Roth, Joseph Ruskin, Bryan Unger, Ken Werther, Mary Lou Westerfi eld, Martin Wiviott, David Young. marQuee FALL 2012 volume 15, number 2 The Actors Fund is a national human services organization that helps all professionals in performing arts and entertainment. The Fund is a safety net, providing programs and services for those who are in need, crisis or transition. National Headquarters 729 Seventh Avenue 10th Floor New York, NY 10019 212.221.7300 Fax: 212.764.0238 Central Region 8 South Michigan Avenue Suite 601 Chicago, IL 60603 312.372.0989 Fax: 312.372.0272 Western Region 5757 Wilshire Boulevard Suite 400 Los Angeles, CA 90036 323.933.9244 Fax: 323.933.7615 The Al Hirschfeld Free Health Clinic 475 West 57th Street New York, NY 10019 212.489.1939 The Dorothy Ross Friedman Residence (formerly The Aurora) New York, NY 212.489.2020 The Palm View West Hollywood, CA 323.933.9244 The Lillian Booth Actors Home Englewood, NJ 201.871.8882 The Schermerhorn Brooklyn, NY 718.640.1845 Marquee 212.221.7300 ext. 176 Fax: 212.536.7658 dengelman@actorsfund.org Actors Fund Programs: SOCIAL SERVICES Entertainment Assistance Program Mental Health Chemical Dependency HIV/AIDS Initiative Senior and Disabled Care Phyllis Newman Women’s Health Initiative Financial Wellness The Dancers’ Resource American Comedy Fund HOWL Emergency Life Project Conrad Cantzen Shoe Fund Funerals and Burials Union/Partner Programs HEALTH SERVICES Artists Health Insurance Resource Center Al Hirschfeld Free Health Clinic EMPLOYMENT AND TRAINING The Actors Fund Work Program (AWP) SUPPORTIVE AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING The Lillian Booth Actors Home The Dorothy Ross Friedman Residence (formerly The Aurora) The Schermerhorn The Palm View Celeste Holm 1917–2012 In Memoriam Dale Olson 1934–2012 A.J. Pocock 1922–2012 We mourn the passing of our devoted Trustees Celeste Holm, Dale Olson and A.J. Pocock. Each played leading roles for The Fund, and we will miss them. Celeste and Dale served as chairs of the committee overseeing The Lillian Booth Actors Home, and both helped create the best possible quality of life for our residents. When the HIV/AIDS crisis devastated the entertainment community, Dale was among the first to speak out for those in need. In 1990, A.J. led the merger of The Percy Williams Home into The Actors Fund, creating a $3.2 million endowment. He also succeeded Colleen Dewhurst as Chair of the Human Services Committee, and led our Budget and Finance Committee. We applaud their commitment to making the world a better place—especially their dedication to bringing comfort and relief to thousands of our colleagues in the performing arts community. For more information on Actors Fund programs, please call 800.221.7303 or visit our website at www.actorsfund.org. Photo credits: Scott Appel, Robert Ascroft, Lyn Hughes, Dexter Kim/ Writers Guild of America, West, Eric Richardson, Magen Senen, Jordan Strauss Design: Holly Wheeler Copy: David Engelman, Karissa Krenz, Jeff Potter, Shonda Rhimes
3Programs & Services Spotlight Los Angeles 2011 HELPING PEOPLE 4,533 12,800 33 + 85 = 118 IN LA NATIONALLY STAYING HEALTHY + GETTING INSURED IN LA NATIONWIDE WORKSHOPS 25 PROGRAMS AND SERVICES DIGNITY, RESPECT AND CONFIDENTIALITY EXPANDING OPPORTUNITIES CAREER COUNSELING CLASSES AND CAREER PANELS PROVIDING A SAFETY NET $10.7 million in emergency financial aid to nearly 13,000 entertainment professionals across Southern California in the last decade. $2.5 million nationally in 2011. COMING HOME “Our partnership with The Actors Fund has led to prestigious grants from the NEA and ArtPlace and fresh exploration of affordable housing opportunities in Downtown Los Angeles. It’s a win for our creative community and a win for our city.” —Olga Garay, Executive Director of the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs. Learn more at actorsfund.org/AFHDC $100,000 NEA GRANT $470,000 ARTPLACE GRANT WELCOMING EVERYONE 70 HELP + UNION AFFILIATIONS “Actor” is part of our name, but did you catch our tag line? Your support helps everyone in the LA performing arts and entertainment community! BUILDING COMMUNITIES ...to West Hollywood DURING TAX SEASON FREE RETURNS ...to Downtown LA GROWING, GIVING BACK AND HAVING FUN 105 258 YOUNG PERFORMERS VALLEY DAYS JOB CLUBS AND JOB SEARCH ENCORE SENIOR GROUP Helping people & Welcoming everyone With Dignity, Respect & Confidentiality Our LA clients—and anyone in our community—can reach out for assistance via our Programs & Services when faced with challenges (including mental health issues, chemical dependency, aging or disability), or if they want to develop strategies for financial wellness. We also target groups, such as comedians, women, dancers and people living with HIV/AIDS, to ensure no one is without the care they need. Staying healthy & Getting insured Our Artists Health Insurance Resource Center educates the community on health insurance and health care resources, and explains how health care reform offers new and affordable options for coverage. In collaboration with MusiCares and Venice Family Clinic, The Performing Artists Clinic provides free medical care to those in need in the Los Angeles area. Providing a safety net In unforeseen times of need, like the 2007–08 Writers’ Strike, Emergency Financial Assistance keeps our clients safe and healthy by preventing foreclosures or evictions, ensuring ongoing transportation, helping secure medical insurance or paying to keep the lights on—all without the added burden of having to pay back new loans and incur more debt. Help During Tax Season 51 low and moderate income union individuals and families took advantage of the 2012 pilot season of the Entertainment Industry Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program (VITA) for free tax preparation, sponsored in collaboration with Actors’ Equity, SAG Foundation, SAG-AFTRA and IATSE. We filed 105 federal and state returns combined! Building communities Groups offer unique opportunities for the LA community to gather in a safe environment to share challenges, expand networks and receive encouragement and support around issues including— • Financial Wellness • Women’s health, HIV+ groups & peer support • Aging in the industry • Fighting depression & anxiety As gas prices increase, it’s often too expensive to drive long distances for help. By partnering with Local 80 IATSE, Motion Picture Studio Grips/Crafts Service in Burbank for Valley Days, we bring our services closer to hundreds of people in a different part of town, with guest speakers at forums like “Getting Unstuck, Using Your Creativity to Unlock Open Doors” or “Manage Your Stress = Manage Your Life.” Special thanks to IA friends Russell Nordstedt and Thom Davis for this tremendous partnership. Our Job Clubs give members a supportive place to network, learn job search technologies, conduct informational interviews and share contacts and resources. Coming home Many in the arts can’t afford safe housing near their workplace. We’re committed to expanding Affordable Housing opportunities throughout our community. Our Palm View residence provides a home to 40 low-income people with HIV/AIDS in West Hollywood. With our partners (ArtPlace in Minneapolis, the City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs, and the California Institute of the Arts and Bringing Back Broadway), the National Endowment for the Arts funded our exploration of the Broadway Arts Center, which would offer affordable artists’ housing, performance and exhibition space, an educational facility and support for Downtown LA’s historic theatres. Expanding opportunities Many in the creative community are employed on a project basis, so are perpetually looking for work, running through savings or losing benefits. The Actors Fund Work Program (AWP) helps people build a more stable financial life and increase long-term career satisfaction by working with them to find better sideline, parallel and new careers through counseling, job training and job development. One-on-one Career Counseling provides invaluable assistance for people in identifying and finding fulfilling secondary work to complement their industry work, and can also help in transitions. Regular orientations welcome new members to the AWP community, while career panels like our “Educational Opportunities Fest and Fair” in partnership with SAG-AFTRA, the SAG Foundation, and Career Transition for Dancers, give people a forum to get inspired and explore alternative career options.
Page 1: THE NEWSLETTER OF THE ACTORS FUND F
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Fall 2012 - The Actors Fund

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