Photo Flash: The Actors Fund Opens Paul Libin Center

The Actors Fund held a ribbon-cutting on October 5, 2018 to celebrate the launch of Looking Ahead in New York City, a program which originated in 2003 in Los Angeles and is designed to help young professional performers and their families thrive amid the unique challenges of working in the entertainment industry. The Paul Libin Center serves as the home for the Looking Ahead program in New York City, and is located in Times Square at the main offices of The Actors Fund at 729 Seventh Avenue on the 12th floor.

"We're proud to build on the success of our Looking Ahead program in Los Angeles and offer that same support in New York City," said Brian Stokes Mitchell, Chairman of The Actors Fund. "Professional young performers face unique challenges, not the least of which is balancing life on the stage or the film and TV set with the demands of school, family and social life. These are years of critical development and personal growth for them, and these young people, and their families, need a safe, secure and supportive environment to address these challenges. That's with us, here at The Actors Fund."

The Center is named is for Actors Fund trustee Paul Libin, the former executive vice president of Jujamcyn Theaters who recently retired as Volunteer President of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, where he served from 1994 - 2018. Funding for the program in New York City was made possible by the generous support of Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and SAG-AFTRA Motion Picture Players Welfare Fund.

Looking Ahead in New York City offers young performers and their families access to individual, family and group counseling; support groups; referrals to community resources; educational workshops on navigating the entertainment industry, financial planning, finding affordable housing, balancing demands of work and school, preparing for college, social media/cyber safety and more; and community service and group activities aimed at cultivating social connections in a safe and secure environment. All services are provided by social workers and support staff from The Actors Fund.

As a key part of the program, young performers currently working in entertainment and their parents will have access to The Paul Libin Center. The Center provides a secure haven from the crowds of Times Square that includes 4,358 square feet of comfortable and safe space to wait between school, rehearsals, filming or shows. Amenities include a kitchenette, Wi-Fi connection and power outlets, and comfortable seating and desks for homework.

The Actors Fund's Looking Ahead program was originally launched in Los Angeles in 2003, and is generously supported by the SAG-AFTRA Producers Industry Advancement and Cooperative Fund.

To learn more about The Actors Fund's programs for young performers in performing arts and entertainment, visit www.actorsfund.org/LookingAhead.

Photo Credit: Jay Brady Photography