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Assistance for AEA Members in San Diego

In response to the crisis caused by the recent California wildfires, members of AEA and other entertainment professionals may contact the following organizations for assistance:

Actors Fund
5757 Wilshire Blvd
Los Angeles, CA
323.933.9244

The Fund, through its Entertainment Assistance Program, is available to help our colleagues in the entertainment community by providing emergency financial assistance for shelter, food, clothing, health insurance premiums, and initial resettlement support. In addition, staff can help in a variety of other ways:

• Assistance with applying to FEMA and other disaster-related benefits online
• Advocacy in navigating the FEMA process
• Creation of a shelter and housing plan
• Provision of emotional support and trauma counseling and referrals
• Coordination with other industry relief funds such as MusiCares

The Actors Fund will continue to work closely with the unions and guilds to disseminate information to their members in need. We also will be offering individuals referrals as needed to other industry, government and community resources, and post links to these resources at www.actorsfund.org.

If you are in need of assistance, contact the Fund and say you are calling about fire-related Emergency Assistance in order to be connected directly to the appropriate staff.

www.actorsfund.org/services/extPrograms

San Diego Central Labor Council
The San Diego-Imperial Counties Labor Council, AFL-CIO knows there will be thousands of union members affected by the fires and subsequent evacuations. If you are a union member in need of assistance, today or in the coming weeks, please contact the Department of Labor Participation, AFL-CIO Community Services for assistance at (619) 641-0074 beginning Wednesday morning. There is a variety of services available for members in need.

Individuals who wish to donate to union members affected by the fire can do so by bringing any of the following items to the Labor Participation Offices or the Wednesday evening delegates meeting: canned foods, diapers/formula, packaged personal healthcare items (toothbrush, razors, soap etc), toys or games, cash or check donations.

Americans for the Arts Emergency Relief Fund
1000 Vermont Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20005
202.371.2830

www.AmericansForTheArts.org

Links to various national, regional and local relief organizations and foundations:
ww3.artsusa.org/get_involved/emergency_relief_fund/resources/regional.asp

The San Diego Foundation, which donated more than $3 million to support response, recovery and rebuilding efforts following the 2003 fires, announced a new After-the-fires fund. Information can be found here: www.sdfoundation.org/

Society of Singers
(866) 767-7671 (866-SOS-SOS1)
help@singers.org
www.singers.org

Any individual who has derived his or her primary income as a professional singer for five years or more may qualify for services. SOS helps singers who have financial needs resulting from personal, family, or medical crises. Charitable grants may be provided for basic needs including rent, utilities, medical/dental expenses, substance abuse rehab, psychotherapy and HIV/AIDS treatment. Grants are always paid directly to creditors. SOS is unable to provide assistance for credit card debts, tax debts, loans, voice lessons, demos, head-shots and other music projects. To request an Application for Assistance please call toll-free, 866.767.7671. Applications must be submitted with 5 years of career documentation, current income verification, current bank statements and tax returns, and copies of bills.