Artists, learn how to navigate Obamacare

EVERY ARTIST INSURED: 

NAVIGATING HEALTH CARE REFORM

Free Actors Fund Workshop

CO-SPONSORED BY 

HOWL ARTS, LA MAMA AND COMMUNITY BOARD 3 

Tuesday, January 13, 6:30-8:30pm

Saturday, January 17, 3-5pm

HOWL HAPPENING GALLERY

6 East First Street, Manhattan

(between Bowery and 2nd Avenue)

(map/directions)

This free workshop will help you understand the Affordable Care Act and provide you with clear guidance on what your options are.  It’s an excellent opportunity for unbiased counseling on an important topic, and includes a Q&A session. RENATA MARINARO, Exchange Navigator and Eastern Region Health Services Director of THE ACTORS FUND, will answer questions like:

What do the "Obamacare" plans cover?
What are the penalties if I don't have insurance?
My income is low – can I get a break on insurance premiums? (Yes!)
Who is eligible for free insurance?  How do I apply?
I don't like the plan I was on – how do I pick a new one?
I'm uninsured; where can I go for discounted care?

For further information, questions and more workshop times (including the Affordable Housing series) and locations please visit actorsfund.org.

Joel Grey to direct ‘Normal Heart’ anniversary reading

Joel Grey to Direct ‘Normal Heart’ Reading

by Steven McElroy, The New York Times, July 18, 2010

Healing the Dancer

Third Annual Healing the Dancer Seminar
June 8, 2009
10 am-1 pm

The New 42nd Street Studios
229 West 42nd Street, Manhattan

Hosted by Bebe Neuwirth
Founder of The Dancers’ Resource of The Actors Fund

And featuring key-note speaker Virginia Johnson
Newly appointed Artistic Director of Dance Theatre of Harlem

Presenters:

Sandra Foschi, Physical Therapist, Nutritionist
Bradley Jones, Psy. D., LCSW, Psychotherapist, former dancer

Guest speakers will offer insight and discussion on dancer physical and emotional wellness. Obtain information and resources for accessing health insurance and health care, financial wellness, and support from community agencies/organizations.

This seminar is FREE and open to professional dancers and those who serve them.

Contact Alice Vienneau, 212.221.7301 ext. 261 or avienneau@actorsfund.org for more information.

Healing the Dancer Annual Seminar

2nd Annual Healing the Dancer Seminar

Host: Bebe Neuwirth, founder of The Dancers' Resource program of The Actors Fund

Keynote Speaker: David Parsons of Parsons Dance Company

A panel of experts will address the unique needs of the dance community, offering information and resources for obtaining health insurance and health care, nutrition prevention financial wellness and more.

Presenters

NUTRITION AND INJURY PREVENTION: Sandra Foschi, Nutritionist and physical therapist, Daniel White, DC, Chiropractor and former dancer

EMOTIONAL WELLBEING/MENTAL HEALTH: Donna Fish, LCSW, Psychotherapist and former dancer, Bradley Jones, LCSW, Psychotherapist and former dancer

FINANCIAL WELLNESS: Amanda Clayman, LMSW, Social Worker for Financial Wellness Program at The Actors Fund, Annette Lieberman, Psychotherapist and Author of The Money Mirror.

Sponsored by The Actors Fund, AGMA, Career Transition For Dancers, Dance Magazine, Dance NYC, Dancers Responding to AIDS, Dance Theatre Workshop, The Field, The Harkness Center for Dance Injuries, and New York Foundation for the Arts.

This seminar is FREE and open to professional dancers and those who serve them.

Date: Thu, May 15, 2008
Time: 3PM-7M
Where: The New 42nd Street Studios, 229 West 42nd Street
Program: Entertainment Assistance Program

Contact: Alice Vienneau, MSW

Phone: 212.221.7300 ext. 261

Contact Email: avienneau@actorsfund.org

Actors Fund Healing the Dancer Support Group

A Letter from the Actors Fund Healing the Dancer Support Group

Dear Friends, My name is Alice Vienneau. I am the designated social worker heading up the new Dancers' Resource program here at The Actors Fund. The new program is specifically geared toward the dance community and will address the unique situations dancers face because of the physically demanding nature of their work coupled with the significant financial challenges of earning a living in dance.

Below is a short description of our program which begins February 12th. Please contact me by email or at the number below if you are interested in participating in this eight week group, or want to learn more about this exciting new program.

ACTORS FUND LAUNCHES DANCERS' RESOURCE PROGRAM

The Dancers' Resource will offer seminars specifically designed for dancers, serve as a "support system" and will offer groups for dancers dealing with injuries or other health concerns. The Dancers' Resource will have an online component to link dancers' to additional resources and to create an online community for dancers. The program will also address mental health issues including eating disorders, substance abuse, depression and other clinical areas.

The Dancers' Resource program was founded by Actors Fund Trustee Bebe Neuwirth. "Now there is somewhere dancers can go to safely and confidentially address their unique and complicated challenges," said Neuwirth.

The initiative grew out of Neuwirth's personal experience as a dancer. "Last year I had hip replacement surgery," said Neuwirth. "It came after several years of physical therapy, arthroscopic surgery, and excruciating pain. Add to that the emotional stress of not being able to dance and not wanting people to know about my condition--and I think you understand what that prison is like. After the replacement I recognized how extremely lucky I was to have a great doctor and great support from the few people with whom I shared my secret. And so I'd like to create a support system for other dancers."

Dancers' Resource social worker Alice Vienneau, who spent 25 years on stage as a musical theatre performer before getting her social work degree, understands the unique challenges faced by performers. "My job is to pay attention to the specific needs of dancers," she said. "The Dancers' Resource will focus specifically on the needs of dancers and offer a gateway into The Fund."

The Dancers' Resource is just one of dozens of lifesaving programs provided by The Actors Fund. From the Al Hirschfeld Free Health Clinic, AIDS services and the Health Insurance Resource Center to employment training, healthcare and housing, The Actors Fund is meeting the very real needs of the performing arts and entertainment community.

For more information about The Dancers' Resource and other programs offered by The Fund, call 212.221.7300 x177 or click on the link below.

Regards,
Alice Vienneau, MSW
The Dancers' Resource

Schermerhorn House: affordable housing for artists

UPDATE: See corrected phone number at the bottom of this post.


Schermerhorn House
Newly Constructed Affordable Housing
(Expected opening: May 2008)
160 Schermerhorn Street, Brooklyn, NY (between Smith and Hoyt Streets)

In response to the need for affordable housing, The Actors Fund and Common Ground Community have joined forces to develop this unique, 217-unit residence for single adults in the heart of downtown Brooklyn. Half of the building will target individuals affiliated with the performing arts and entertainment industry, and half will house formerly homeless individuals living with HIV/AIDS or mental health needs.

Schermerhorn House will also have a 2,000 square foot state-of-the-art performance space and multipurpose room. Residents and community arts organizations may use this space for rehearsals, performances, films and exhibitions, enriching the vibrant and growing Brooklyn arts culture.

Eligibility for Schermerhorn House is based on federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Guidelines. An applicants’ gross income from all sources (employment, benefits, asset interest) cannot exceed $29,760 and not be less than $18,500. Monthly rents start at $630.

All residents will have access to on-site social services, and the opportunity to participate in a variety of regular programs. Such programs may include workshops on preventative health care and financial management / career development, support groups for chemical dependency, and art therapy classes, amongst many others. Social gatherings, holiday celebrations, and other special events will also take place throughout the year.

For further information and to request an application, call the Schermerhorn House Hotline now at 212-221-7300 ext. 264.

Workshop on health insurance for artists: November 30

The Center for Book Arts will host a professional development workshop on health insurance for artists facilitated by James Brown, director of the Actors Fund Artists Health Insurance Resource Center (AHIRC), this Friday, November 30th, 6:30 pm. Brown will discuss health insurance resources for artists and recent health insurance legislation that affects artists.

RSVP (required) to the Center for Book Arts at 212-481-0295.

Sarah Nicholls
Program Manager
The Center for Book Arts
28 W. 27th Street 3rd fl.
New York, NY 10001