Jones, Mitchell Set for Lillian Booth Home Groundbreaking

Actors James Earl Jones and Actors' Fund President Brian Stokes Mitchell Stokes will be on hand at 12 noon on Monday, April 17, for the official groundbreaking of The Actors' Fund of America expansion and renovation project at The Lillian Booth Actors' Home in Englewood, New Jersey.

The expansion and renovation of The Actors' Fund's acclaimed assisted living and skilled nursing care facility includes the addition of 15 new beds, the expansion of sub-acute care to offer more residents IV therapies, wound care, pain management and hospice services, and the creation of a rehabilitation and activities wing to provide physical, occupational and speech therapies. Improvements will also be made to the lobby and shared living areas.

"The renovation and expansion will improve patient care with the addition of both beds and services," said Jordan Strohl, Administrator of The Lillian Booth Actors' Home, "and the beautification will create a warm, comfortable, welcoming atmosphere for all our residents."

The Home has a current capacity of 109 residents, and the need for its services continues to grow. "Over the next ten years, the number of Americans between the ages of 75 and 84 will increase by 28%, and those over 84 by 42%," said Barbara Davis, Chief Program Officer at The Actors' Fund. "Already, applicants hoping to move into our skilled nursing home are too often asked to wait, or are referred someplace else, because there are not enough beds available to meet the demand."

To finance the project, The Actors' Fund is launching a $4-million capital campaign, which has been dubbed The Sunshine Boys Campaign in honor of vaudevillians Smith & Dale, the original "Sunshine Boys" and former residents of The Actors' Fund Home in Englewood. The official groundbreaking ceremony on Monday, April 17, will mark the start of the fundraising campaign and launch the first phase of construction at the New Jersey facility. Tony Award-winners Jones (On Golden Pond, Othello, Star Wars) and Mitchell (Man of La Mancha, Kiss Me, Kate, Ragtime) will be joined at the groundbreaking by Actors' Fund Executive Director Joe Benincasa.

"Founded in 1882, The Actors' Fund of America is the national human services organization helping all entertainment and performing arts professionals in television, film, music, theatre, opera and dance. The Actors' Fund's broad spectrum of programs includes comprehensive social and health services, supportive and affordable housing, career counseling, and skilled nursing and assisted living care. Actors' Fund programs address the essential needs of people in our industry. Administered from offices in New York City, Los Angeles and Chicago, The Fund is a safety net, providing essential support for those in need, crisis or transition," state press notes.

Visit www.actorsfund.org for more information.