4 GROUNDCOVER NEWS HOMELESSNESS JIM CLARK Groundcover vendor No. 139 There are many highly intelligent people among the unhoused population of Washtenaw County. Some with degrees, even master's degrees. Some are gifted in ways not measured in academics, but have incredible talents, skills, perspectives, thoughts, ideas and so on. There are two prongs to this article. One is that among the homeless there are many gifted people who are unable to help themselves because of the toxic-stress effect of homelessness on their cognitive functions. Two, the lack of Executive Function (see definition below) training in the form of education can also contribute to homelessness. It seems counterintuitive to think that someone who is highly intelligent could wind up homeless, yet, anecdotally, there are a lot of people out there who fit the description. Crossing this descriptor with mental illness, we find many brilliant minds stifled by depression and anxiety or distorted due to mania or disassociation. A number of gifted people also suffer suppression due to medication — which motivates some to refuse it, hence making self-sufficiency difficult if not impossible. Executive functions are operations of our brains that help us traverse our world and realize our needs and desires. Stimulus is detected by our many senses, it is cognitively processed, and then a response is generated. The cognition and response frequently involve Executive Functions such as problem-solving, divergent thinking, planning, organizing, attention span and decision-making. It has been shown that during a homelessness episode these and other EFs become compromised because our nervous system is wired to revert to “fight or flight” survival mode. Living in this mode day after day can become toxic. According to firesteelwa.org, “Homelessness and poverty can have lasting consequences because they can create toxic stress. Toxic stress can alter how the brain and body respond to and process stress. Toxic stress can damage executive function, memory, learning, and social information processing.” Although it is not formally acknowledged, one of the effects an education has on a student is the practice and development of Executive Function skills. Our brains come with them “installed” but it is through education we are supposed to learn to use them fully. If you’ve dropped out of school, you missed this training. If you fall through the cracks into homelessness, you probably won’t have these skills to begin with, let alone have them compromised. It is intuitive to think that there is a negative relationship between homelessness and education. There is evidence that proves it. If a high school student is homeless, there is an 80% chance they will not graduate. It has been shown that high school students living in the inner city and attending underperforming schools also have a high probability of becoming homeless. (schoolhouseconnection.org/number) What if there was a way to restore Executive Functions to such a degree that those with compromised ability could undo the damage caused by toxic stress and take steps toward self-sufficiency? And what if those whose EFs are compromised due to lack of exposure to education could receive that training, thus enhancing DECEMBER 29, 2023 Toxic stress, executive function and remediation their EF to the point of also being able to navigate their way to self-sufficiency like their highly intelligent peers? As a training group, they could easily begin solving each other’s problems and create a synergy of interdependence, solidarity and community. They could run for office and make real changes due to their lived experience — not just for homeless people, but for all. They could join homelessness grassroots affiliates to bring insight and leadership. They could begin to solve not just their own problems and the problems of friends and strangers, but of the municipality and society at large. The new not-for-profit NeuroTraining Initiative seeks to set up just this type of group, initially focusing on the houseless community and their particular set of needs. After Jan. 1, there will be NTI sessions held at the Daytime Warming Centers (one in Ypsilanti at the Freighthouse, one in Ann Arbor at rotating church sites), promising to make strengthening life skills and the EFs fun and engaging. If you’re interested, please call 231-670-6059. Remembering Robert J. Delonis: a champion of compassion and community JOSHUA LEE Groundcover contributor In the quiet corners of Ann Arbor, a man's legacy echoes through the walls of a shelter, reminding the community of the indomitable spirit of compassion and dedication that can change lives. Robert J. Delonis, former chairman of Great Lakes National Bank (now part of TCF), left an enduring mark on the city through his instrumental role in the establishment of the shelter that now bears his name. The journey began in the late 1990s when Delonis, a respected figure in the business world, lent his administrative and financial expertise to the Shelter Association of Washtenaw County. As the chairman of the management oversight committee generated by the County's task force on homelessness, he dedicated himself to improving the agency's capacity to address the pressing issue of homelessness in the community. Ellen R. Schulmeister, the former founding and long-time executive director of the Shelter Association, fondly recalls Delonis's commitment to the cause. "He was dedicated to helping people who were homeless. He lent his administrative and financial background to the Shelter Association to help us improve our agencies," she said. The culmination of Delonis's efforts came to fruition in the form of a groundbreaking project — the construction of a shelter facility that would provide a haven for those in need. From 1998 to mid-2000, Delonis collaborated with the Washtenaw Housing Alliance, the County, the City of Ann Arbor, and an architectural firm to plan and design the building that would stand as a symbol of community unity. "Bob Delonis symbolized how the community came together on this issue," remarked County Administrator Robert E. Guenzel, who recognized Delonis's leadership role in chairing the oversight committee. "A person of his stature gave credibility to the project." Delonis's commitment to the project remained steadfast even in the face of personal challenges. Despite battling a kidney condition, he played a pivotal role in securing City approval and funding for the shelter. The Ann Arbor City Council's decision on June 19, 2000, marked a significant milestone, with Delonis's presence reflecting his unwavering dedication to the cause. Beyond his involvement in the shelter project, Delonis had a history of community engagement. His previous roles in organizations like Washtenaw United Way, National Kidney Foundation, Artrain, NEW Center, and Catholic Social Services of Washtenaw County showcased his broad commitment to social causes and nonprofit endeavors. The building that now proudly bears Robert Delonis's name stands as a testament to his vision and the collaborative spirit of the Ann Arbor community. Completed in October and operational since November 2003, the four-story facility provides separate men's and women's sleeping quarters with a total of 50 beds, a kitchen serving meals to 120 people on-site, and additional amenities such as a medical clinic and psychological evaluation services. As Ann Arbor residents walk past the Delonis Center, they are reminded not only of the man who dedicated his time and energy to a cause greater than himself but also of the profound impact that can be achieved when a community rallies together. Robert J. Delonis's legacy lives on in the compassionate spaces he helped create, serving as an enduring reminder that, indeed, "It takes a community." Delonis Center on W. Huron St.
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