Diane Nilan

Published: Dec 07, 2019 by Public Seminar
Authors: Yvonne Vissing, Diane Nilan
Subjects: Education, Adolescent Studies, Family Studies

Lunch-shaming turned into an epidemic this fall, as it does every year when schools try to crack down on unpaid lunch fees. The trouble is, too often schools are bullying kids to fork over money that they really don't have to pay.

By: Diane Nilan
Subjects: Applied Arts & Music, Consumer Psychology, Education, Film and Video, Health and Social Care, Other, Psychology, Social Work

Dismazed and Driven ~ 
My Look at Family Homelessness in America  

Memoir ◆ Social Narrative ◆ Activist Manual

Diane Nilan's behind-the-scenes look at
families without homes in America. 

Follow Diane Nilan into broken-down RVs, leaky tents,
shabby motel rooms, and cramped shelters.  

Eleanor J. Bader, LA Review of Books, 12/23/20:

WHEN FORMER SHELTER DIRECTOR Diane Nilan sold her Illinois townhouse and most of her possessions in 2005, she set out to do what no one had ever done: travel the backroads of America to record the stories of the women, men, and children living doubled and tripled up, in cars, campgrounds, motels, shelters, and storage facilities throughout the country.

Her latest book, Dismazed and Driven: My Look at Family Homelessness in America (Charles Bruce Foundation), is part memoir, part social narrative, and part activist manual about what she calls “the plight and promise” of the 10 million undomiciled people she estimates have no permanent home.

Deeply personal — Nilan coined the word “dismazed” to capture her despair and amazement — the book is both inspiring and infuriating, a deep dive into the failure of US policymakers to tackle poverty and meaningfully address the affordable housing crisis. Her piercing observations chronicle bureaucratic bumbling, as well as political indifference and victim blaming. At the same time, Nilan pays homage to the many intrepid people she’s met, from homeless moms, dads, and children to the many advocates who are working tirelessly, even in a pandemic, to offer support and material comfort to those in need. The book is also prescriptive, with clear recommendations about what needs to be done.

Diane Nilan:
My Journey

I’ve spent 15+ years on America’s backroads chronicling the plight and promise of families experiencing homelessness. I’ve seen what countless Interstate travelers or those flying over don’t see. I’ve witnessed and documented the unheralded survival of courageous parents and kids whose homes have vanished for countless reasons. 

I’ve faced down and looked up to those with the power to change the system that perpetuates homelessness. My films show truths invisible to officials and decision-makers.

I’ve encountered America, good, bad and ugly - about 400,000 miles of it - in every state except Alaska. And I’ve done it living in Tillie, my little motorhome. 


More information, or to purchase Diane's books, www.hearus.us