How saying ‘Yes, and …’ is helping veterans who are experiencing homelessness
A year ago, Elizabeth Byland thought her “Applied Improv to Impact Homelessness” project would last a couple of months. The project implements improv techniques both to strengthen self-advocacy and problem-solving skills among people experiencing homelessness and to reduce the stigma of homelessness among health care practitioners.
Instead, the classes at Liberation Veteran Services — which provides transitional housing for veterans, many of whom are transitioning back into civilian life and facing challenges such as post-traumatic stress disorder — have grown into a weekly meeting for veterans and health care students.
Improv is rooted in one universal rule, said Byland, head of improv with the VCU School of the Arts Department of Theatre and director of applied health improv with the Center for Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Care. That rule is “Yes, and …”
“This rule is the guidepost for all that we do in improv,” she said. “It reminds us to listen, affirm and acknowledge others, and contribute mindfully to the present moment. This all requires an incredible amount of vulnerability and trust in others and ourselves. Heck, even just to slow down and listen to someone — and I mean really listen — to be affected and changed by another requires us to hold space for others. It's much easier said than done, especially in today's fast-paced world.”
Each week, the class explores a topic that is applicable to both improv and life. For example, being active in waiting periods. Many of the veterans as well as the students are in a period of waiting: waiting for the housing voucher, waiting for their residency placements, waiting for disability to kick in, waiting for the next paycheck, waiting for the next intern assignment, waiting on test results.
“The list goes on and on,” Byland said. “The anxiety of a waiting period creates such overwhelming noise of fear and panic that it becomes difficult to stay present on the now. Improv reminds us that it’s OK if we don't know what's to come, it’s OK if we can’t see what lies ahead. And yes, it’s scary to not have all the answers. But improv also teaches us to just focus on this moment right now. What can we do in this moment right now? What can I do that adds purpose and intention to this period of waiting?”
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