Angela Lansbury Hosts NYC Seniors Community Survey Project

On Friday, October 21, 2011, Angela Lansbury; New York City Council Speaker Christine Quinn; New York City Council Member Gale Brewer; Assembly Member Linda Rosenthal; Assembly Member Richard Gottfried; Congressman Jerrold Nadler and The Actors Fund co-hosted a kick-off event for the Seniors Community Survey, an online survey designed to better understand the quality of life of older New Yorkers in the Clinton/Hell's Kitchen and Chelsea Neighborhoods. The event, held at American Airlines Theatre, marked the beginning of the online survey of seniors 60 years and older who reside in the zip codes of 10001, 10011, 10018, 10019, 10036 on Manhattan's West Side. Findings of the survey, being conducted from mid-October through December 31, 2011, are intended to help provide information concerning seniors' needs, identify gaps in senior services and help community leaders organize and advocate for resources and services for seniors in these neighborhoods.

Community representatives, residents and members of the Seniors Community Survey Advisory Council, representing over 40 entertainment unions, community organizations and government officials, attended the event. Joseph P. Benincasa, President of The Actors Fund, greeted guests at the theatre's Penthouse Lobby, and Angela Lansbury, and her co-hosts, addressed a crowd of more than 125 attendees.

The online survey project was initiated between The Actors Fund and Manhattan Plaza, the largest performing arts residence in the United States. Located in the theatre district's backyard-the Clinton/Hell's Kitchen and Chelsea Neighborhoods of New York City-this area is home to many people working in the performing arts. Manhattan Plaza is already home to over 1,000 seniors. The survey is designed to better understand the changing needs of older New Yorkers with a particular focus on members of the performing arts profession.

"With the number of people over 55 doubling in the next 20 years, we wanted to reach out to many seniors as possible in the Chelsea and Hell's Kitchen neighborhoods for their input. Our Advisory Council will help collectively reach out to senior New Yorkers, inviting them to share their views," said Joseph P. Benincasa, President of The Actors Fund. "Thanks to the leadership and support of our partners, our Advisory Council and our government representatives, for making this survey possible."

The survey is being conducted in partnership with The Actors Fund, Community Board 4, Manhattan Plaza's Rodney Kirk Center and the Visiting Nurse Service of New York, and is co-sponsored by Speaker Christine C. Quinn, 3rd Council District, Council Member Gale A. Brewer, Manhattan Borough President Scott M. Stringer, Assembly Member Linda B. Rosenthal, Assembly Member Richard N. Gottfried, State Senator Thomas K. Duane and Congressman Jerrold Nadler.

The survey is live through December 31, 2011 and can be accessed by visiting www.seniorscommunitysurvey.org.

The Actors Fund is a national human services organization that helps everyone-performers and those behind the scenes-who works in performing arts and entertainment, helping more than 12,000 people directly each year, and hundreds of thousands online. Serving professionals in film, theatre, television, music, opera, radio and dance, The Fund's programs include social services and emergency assistance, health care and insurance, housing, and employment and training services. With offices in New York, Los Angeles and Chicago, The Actors Fund has-for nearly 130 years-been a safety net for those in need, crisis or transition. Visit www.actorsfund.org.