Some people who are skilled at communication work in mass media. Delani Delgado, Board Secretary, chose to support Dreamzilla because she wanted to use her talents to help the neurodivergent blossom. “I joined because I believe deeply in building spaces and systems that affirm people as they are, not as the world expects them to be. Dreamzilla isn’t just talking about empowerment—it’s producing it… I think many of us on the Board aren’t here by accident,”Delgado writes via e-mail.
An average day as a cog in this nonprofit’s machine consists of documenting meetings and generally monitoring progress. She is also a communication lifeline for everyone including staff and other board members. Working among people who value helping neurodivergent youth thrive is what she likes best about being the Secretary.
She attributes her talents to a love for structure and experience with communications, nonprofit development, and community work. Of course, she also understands what it is like for those who are not neurotypical to go without resources.
“I’ve seen firsthand what happens when people don’t have support… We’re here because we’ve seen or lived the gaps we’re trying to close,” she says.
She sees the organization growing in many ways over the next five to ten years.
“I think Dreamzilla will have expanded its programs, added more paid staff roles, and built stronger infrastructure to support long-term sustainability. I also see us investing in deeper partnerships—collaborating with other organizations that align with our values to amplify impact. In that time as well, it's my hope that Dreamzilla will become more of a household name as a resource in the neurodivergent community,” she writes.
She also sees the nonprofit with a mentorship program and would love to observe it take root in college campuses for non-neurotypical students. While there are many university disability departments, she says Dreamzilla’s assistance would hopefully be a welcome addition.
“I feel as though systemic support closes once neurodivergent people come of age,” the Secretary says.
Although she has never met a Dreamzilla scholarship recipient in person, one story she heard of a young woman who got one and wanted to start a little free library in her community stood out in her mind.
Before Delgado donated her time as Secretary she had many “youth development initiatives” positions such as an aide in a church nursery, at the YMCA, and as a before and after school director.
Many of the volunteers and board members are passionate about this cause due to personal experience including her. This cause is near and dear to her heart because she has two little brothers with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Attention Deficit Disorder. She wishes some neurotypical people had better education about neurodivergent people and that public schools had fitting accommodations for those who need it.
“I guess I wish there was more openly discussed resources around I.E.P. (in schools)… and also more kindness spread around. I think school is such an important first landing pad for how people will function in larger or different ecosystems,” she notes.
Whether people are neurodivergent or neurotypical, she urges them to action by diving deeper into the programming this organization has to offer. “I think that our cognitive function is just one small part of who we are as individuals,” says Delgado.