Bilo Events
To Commemorate, the Fund Hosted an Anniversary Party in Los Angeles on April 20
Photos from the anniversary event are available HERE.
May 7, 2024 —The Entertainment Community Fund (formerly The Actors Fund), the national human services organization that serves the unique needs of performing arts and entertainment professionals, is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Looking Ahead program that supports young entertainment professionals and their families across the country. To commemorate, the Fund hosted an intimate celebration in Los Angeles, California on Saturday, April 20, for its program members and supporters.
With strong attention rightfully focused on the treatment of child actors in the entertainment industry, Looking Ahead’s work as a resource and safe space is crucial to young performers.
Founded in 2003 in partnership between the Entertainment Community Fund and SAG-AFTRA, the Looking Ahead program was created to support child actors and their families as they navigate the well-publicized challenges inherent to a life in the industry. For two decades, Looking Ahead has focused on the mental health and wellness of young people working in entertainment.
Looking Ahead provides numerous services including counseling provided by licensed clinical social workers; social, community service and leadership activities to help youth develop a sense of self that includes, and extends beyond, their identities as industry professionals; and training for casts, crews, production staff, talent relations departments and other adults who work with minors on set, to create environments that are supportive to the overall well-being and development of children and adolescents.
Actor and Looking Ahead Advisory Council member Christy Carlson Romano hosted the April 20 event, and attendees were riveted by personal stories shared by two Looking Ahead members: one alum and one current member of the program. Their stories spoke of how Looking Ahead provides a safe, consistent and warm environment for them to weather the impacts of life’s obstacles. In addition, a certificate of recognition was presented to the program for 20 years of work from Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass’s office.
“All of us at Looking Ahead are honored to do this work and support young performers and their families. It’s especially meaningful to get recognition from the City of Los Angeles, given this is where the program began. Thank you everyone who has been a part of Looking Ahead and to all who joined us to celebrate 20 years!” shared Christopher Smith, Director of Looking Ahead.
Images are available HERE.
With Looking Ahead, the Fund aims to ensure that all children in the industry across the country are supported, protected and given the guidance they deserve to best support their chances of living a full life and developing into mature, self-confident and capable adults.
Support for Looking Ahead comes from Disney Branded Television, The Osbrink Agency, the Jean and Albert Nerken Foundation, SAG-AFTRA, the Casting Society and Studio Teachers IATSE Local 884.
Through this educational video, Smith provides a brief overview on some of the unique challenges child actors may face and how Looking Ahead can help the young performers of today.
To learn more about the Fund, visit entertainmentcommunity.org.
To learn more about the Looking Ahead program, please go to lookingaheadprogram.org and instagram.com/lookingaheadprogram.
If you would like to support the efforts of the Looking Ahead program, please consider making a donation in honor of the 20th anniversary.