Skid Row: A Story of American Homelessness
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- Опубликовано: 14 июн 2022
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Special thanks to @kristenholtan for joining me on this journey!
Intro / Outro Beat Prod by @RedEyez 
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The Japanese guy situation is so sad. Relapsed after 13 years wow.. and he knows he has potential to do great things in life. I hope he can find his way back out of his addiction.
Kills my heart to hear. Someone who clearly knows how harmful the drugs are to them, but that’s just how strong of a hold they have on people. Really hoping he gets clean for good and fixes his life again
Crazy to see the questions get him to actually verbalize some of his demons and the reason behind it. Honestly seemed like the interview could have been a wake up call or at least one could hope
Me too!im 10 years clean
Not so fun fact about addiction, doesn't matter how long you're clean, it is an eternal battle you will fight till the day you die. Slipping back into the depths of addiction takes only a day or two. Getting solid again may only be a few months, but you will ALWAYS have that craving to slip back, to slip further down. One bad day is all it takes to fall back into the depths, and ruin everything. Recovering from addiction and staying sober, fighting the temptations every single day, that takes a whole different mindset that most people cannot adapt too, especially when they are struggling. Like, if you're stable and solid, around people who don't use and wanna help, it's still hard as fuck. When you're around users and that culture is all you're exposed too, got nothing good going on in your life, recovery is just not gonna happen.
im interested in everything you have to say ❤
The older guy in a wheelchair was making a lot of sense until the “crack cocaine heals” line
Fax now I’m hooked to penicillin🤣🤟🏾
Lmao true he seemed pretty level headed at first but that part made me rethink the whole interaction
Penicillin with crack cocaine heals get it right.😂
But he is right though? If the crack sold in skidrow is pure pencilin.. then its healing everyone instead of killing them.. right? But i doubt its pure pencilin.. the crack is probably cut with pencilin pills..
@@Julian-qs8xq right i had to rewind that i though i was tweaking XD
Tommy G is one of the realest youtubers on the internet. the man deserves every bit of success that he has.
2 goats
I love you man
You boys should come up to Canada sometime eh
Please do more videos together! Love both you guys. Incredible content
facts
The Japanese guy was tough. He seemed so capable and healthy. It’s heartbreaking to realize that he will turn into one of the standard skid row residents if he can’t get it figured out. It’s so tough and only gets harder when you’re out on the street. I really hope he can sober up.
The gentleman that says he just got their two months ago..
I pray he finds the right path..
I pray he manages to be that father figure for his child someday.
Sounds like he is somewhat put together.
Thank you for your content…
So sad to see these people collapse in real time
So sad 😞 prayers god is great !
Isn’t crazy how we feel more sympathy for him because it’s only been two months? I’d like to see where he is now. I wonder if he’s still recognizable and “somewhat put together” . The lady at the end also seemed “somewhat put together” in her own way ☺️ - the others might not seem put together because they’ve been there longer so we can visibly see the effects.
@@Dlireum I guess cuz we think he might still have a chance out..
This type of content is so much better than the bs prank stuff that went out 10 years ago. Youre a brave, humble, easily approachable person. Open eyes. Show people things they haven't seen. That's your calling.
I appreciate you big dawg
I think your giving the guy a little too much credit and maybe I’m a hater but he comes off as a smart person whose riding the man on the street wave
Just journalism. Lol relax.
@@liamdownes this is journalism
So interesting hearing the perspective that Skid Row provides a sense of freedom at around 3:52
Lived in LA my whole life and never knew people saw it that way..
Freedom form the slavery of the 9-5 system
@@certifiedfinest5065 bingo. You revert to a more free type of living where everything is in your hands and you and only you make the choice of your path
@@Zaron_Gaming that sounds amazing the way you put it..
I was a former drug addict. Heroin 10 years. I lost all family support no one would pick up a call. I had zero money I was homeless. I was suicidal big time. Also had a ton of mental Heath issues. All of the people out there are using or drinking. For anyone of them to get sober and stay sober they will have to hit rock bottom and be totally defeated out of all options. It is then at that point you become willing to do the hard work it takes sobriety requires. I was arrested and hit with 4 felonies(completed 6 years probation clean record now). In jail I started going to church and AA meetings. When I got out I immediately walked to an AA meeting. They gave me a bunch of phone numbers for free in patient places. I did 6 months at a place you work 10 hour days (to cover treatment cost) you make 5 dollars a week cash and come home to meet your counselor and go to NA and AA. I had no clothes money or help. I worked my ass off. After inpatient I did a year in a crappy halfway house. Btw I went to 2 meetings a day because I didn’t to fall. I listened to ole timers and did what they did. I followed instructions. That was 8 years ago. I’m now a dad to a beautiful 5 year old son. I own my house, I started a small buisness had 7 full time employees, I found the lord. I want to be the dad I never had. I got my family back. Life is beautiful. All of them haven’t had enough pain to become willing to work hard. All of them are liars and cheats using and drinking all day everyday that’s their higher power. Very sad but needed for them one day if it doesn’t kill them before to change.
Appreciate your story and message. It’s best to get the solution from someone who’s been there done that. God bless
Amen brother! Glad to hear you made a great path for yourself!
Congrats on beating whatever demon you had and keep goin brother!
Congrats on beating
You dont get to tell people what kind of pain they are in but congratulations
Such a good video. I feel so bad for the guy that said his only goal was not to abandon his son and the drugs got the best of him. One of the reasons I’ll never do drugs;(
That’s what I said when I was your age too, sometimes life takes unexpected turns.. especially in moments of struggle and weakness. But always remember you can always make things better for yourself no matter what your going through. Hard work and persistence gona long way
man i said the same shit 😭 not so easy all the time
Miss Stephanie is living life! I’m curious how all of her nice stuff doesn’t get stolen.
She’s protected by she said Bloods and Crips
Dude in checked shirt: "A trillion dollars"
Tommy: "Each person?"
Kenny admits there’s a problem and recognizes that he never wanted to be an absent father. Addiction doesn’t discriminate- it can affect anyone. He seems like he’s got a good head on his shoulders but when you get to skid row, it’s so hard to come back. I hope he’s doing ok and I hope he is or will get sober.
Access to water and food is really a blessing, thanks tommy for another awesome vid 🙏🏻
Access to water and food should be a right in today’s day and age.. they’re literally the bare minimum we need to survive
These people don’t need food and water.
glad i caught this one early. tommy, i cannot express enough how much i appreciate the shit that you do. i honestly really look up to you and your drive. i discovered you from baylen and since then ive stopped watching him but i never stopped watching you. the fact that you put your life at risk on the daily to spread awareness about all the different types of things going on in the world is so honorable. im from minnesota so im proud to know youre out here representing the midwest. keep up the great work, tommy.
I appreciate your kind words big dawg
Same here, Baylens stuff got old quick. Love what you do, keeping it fresh and entertaining. More people need to see these!!
I have severe mental health issues, and struggled with addiction this past decade or so. Last month I lost my mother who was everything to me and my 7 siblings. I had an extremely rough childhood. Right now im at the lowest ive ever been in life. I just wanna say Tommy G I love your content, you are a real one, you have integrity and honesty that I can't say some other content creators have. I wish the best for you and your channel
Just wanted to say that I wish you many years of success and peace. Keep your head up
Your not alone , a lot of us are fascinated by this content because we can relate to the pain . I hope from here on out you climb out of that low point and it’s all up hill for you .
The survival rate of all of your bad days is still 100%. Chin up shoulders strong. Life sucks sometimes. Sometimes it's good though
I love you, I promise you have a purpose in this world or you wouldn't be here right now. I hope you're doing okay & you get to read this.
Hello, how are you now? If you're willing, i have some advice I'd like to share that could probably help you. I hope you're well 💜
the dude who went through drug addiction and you can tell he's falling apart by just looking at his arms in a way they look like there almost starting to transform or change and his whole figure just kinda looks like it's falling apart he looks and sounds like a good dude fr wish him the best
Really loving this new more serious “documenting” style you’ve been doing. Really think it’ll be what brings you the success you deserve! Keep it up mane. Long time fan
“Sometimes your last breath is the best breath” damn that was some gangster ass shit 😂
what does that mean exactly? I was trying to understand but I was confused.
I don’t see the funny bit of that. That line broke my heart
@@mc2043what it means is dying is a pleasure rather than continuing with the hard life on the streets 😢
@@_kimiadventures Wow that's really sad.
Just goes to show how fast everything can change. One missed pay check , a lay off or health problem. And you could find yourself in a place like this. Be thankful for what you have and don't take it for granted. Do your best to try and hold on to the everything you have, because everything you have now could be gone tomorrow.
Very respectful and empathetic interview & loved your reasons for going. Great job man just earned a fan & respect
I used to watch them videos where you would try and let someone knock you out and you’ve always been entertaining I finally found your channel again and your content is amazing you got some balls going into some of these places keep it up man 💪🏾
Your channel is really refreshing to see, most interview/documentary style channels aren’t very respectful of people’s privacy. You handled each conversation wonderfully, and you really took an interest to what people were saying. Thank you :)
These videos hit hard. For I've had family members who lived nd died in skid row. Thanks for sharing the gritty and raw truth of the homelessness crisis we have here in LA. And yes it's truly a BLESSING being able to always have food and water on the table, stay blessed Tommy
Awesome video man, this content is a breath a fresh air. No heavy edits, just you with a mic talking to folks in a genuine way.
I appreciate the empathy you show these people your interviews and video recordings. Whatever your end goal here is, society needs more people like you. Peace.
I love your personality and authenticity on RUclips Tommy G!
Much love Tommy G, I just did hella yard work in the sun & took my kids to the zoo & videos like this remind me to stay humble & motivated.
Tommy G you are a real one and your channel is criminally underrated. Please make more content. you are seriously one of my favorite content creators, and im disabled and I watch youtube all day. Your content is amazing and I wish nothing but the best for you. my mom passed away unexpectedly a month ago. and your content is therapeutic and helps me cope.
I love these new types of videos. They are great and really eye opening. Keep it up Tommy G!!!
tommy thankyou man for keeping ur energy up even when sh!t gets dark. keep up the work i love your vids (even the documentary’s). keep it up bud
Tommy you are a real one, I love your videos, your personality, your honesty and bravery. You are extremely underrated. I watch a lot of bigger youtubers, but I love your content more, you are one of my favorite youtubers and I hope your channel does well and blows up. You deserve it. Bless you brother
Thank you for this video . I look at these videos if I can see my father . He’s out there and I just wanna make sure he’s ok .
Bro keep up the insane work. Not everyone gets in the field like you do
There isnt a better notification to get then a new tommy g video, love your content!
Fax I was thinking the same thing
Your videos are incredible. I can’t stop watching them. This is the kind of excellent & empathetic video journalism that Vice used to make. Really good work.
All the different perspectives from the people that live at Skid row is so fascinating! Really enjoy these type of videos. Brilliant work.
one of the best Skid Row videos Tommy and crew. very well done and the guests were so sweet and amazing. big hearts. keep er goin fella!
Tommy told that dude he could start a business !? He’s hoping to have a meal
And 5$. Give me a break dude
Tommy G - love the work you are doing. Found one video yesterday, and I’ve been watching non-stop. It’s like a vice news reporting without the budget / team to back you. Super brave. Super dope.
I appreciate that big dawg!
@@TommyGMcGee My response was deleted - not sure if you removed it, or RUclips did. I’m interested in doing similar work, and I have access to a number of Hispanic gangs in Denver. Let me know if you’re interested, I could potentially be your connection for safe passage into the underworld, here in Denver. I put my email address in the comment that was deleted, so I won’t enter it this time. Lmk if you’d like to get connected. Either way, love and respect 👍🏼.
Hey Tommy I'm definitely interested in seeing more videos like this one. It's just a travesty to see how those people are living. Keep working hard and the world is yours. Stay humble my friend
I was recommended this for no idea why, but subscribed, and I did so because your just bare bones, out there interviewing people. Keep it up.
One of the most authentic youtubers on the platform. Keep keepin it real Mr. G!
Man I love these types of vids, it’s a real eye opener. Plz do more like this, maybe go to that one place in Nevada I think it is where everyone lives as a community with few laws🤷🏼♂️
CONGRATS ON 100 THOU SUBS BRO! Great video Really good insight on skid row and u have great on spot questions and r god at it keepin the audience interested! Keep it up on the way to a MILI TOMMY G!!!
First video I have seen of you after coming from your tik tok regarding this video. Great video, you seem to have a high level of professionalism and I like how you went by and what you did during this short video. From your own questions to your own responses you handled everything very well and made sure to come in a respectful manner. I hope to see more videos from your channel. Keep it up Tommy G!
Honestly better then vice news!! Been around since 5,000 subs now you’re up to 150k!!! Keep up the great work Tommy g!!!
I appreciate you Tommy, showing the bad but yet the good from some of those people. This is the kind of stuff that gets no attention and ignored.!
I’ve just been binging his videos and with every one I see how much more comfortable he gets with being around these folks. It’s great to see because this is how change starts.
Dude I stumbled across your videos and you are so dope. You really have way of going to places most are scared of and getting people to open up. I really like the way you talk to people.
Keep it coming tommy!
Thanks Tommy for this fantastic interview on homelessness. I am using your interview for assignment. You should do another video which says how the media views homeless people as drug addicts and alchoholics whereas they are just homeless due to personal circumstances.
100k!! Congrats tommy, much love!
Idk what it is about your videos but I really like how you get actual aspects and the realness of places in all of your videos.
This was a wild adventure! So glad we went and experienced it. Truly humbling 🙏🏻
You were out there too?
im interested in everything you have to say❤️
I'm a father of 3. We live paycheck to paycheck. Barley make it. I have to ride a bike to work everyday. This could be us. It's sad.
Yep. I’m sorry 😢
Life is no easy for any one! I will recommend you to listen to Dave Ramsey he changed my life good luck
Your choice to have had 3 kids
Prayers to you 🙏
Tommy G keeping it G. Keep up the great content fam!! You deserve more recognition.
1st time watcher and love the realness you maintain with your content.
It's crazy that most the people in this refer Skid Row to as some kinda entity able to control the people there, either as a guiding friend or a benevolent beast.
Its so scary down there that I don't even like driving a few blocks over. One time I was at Moskatells a craft store around there and a man who worked at the store stopped me when I was entering. (I was so excited i "happened" to find the meter right in front). The employee told me "if you leave your car there it won't be there when you come out". Its no joke around there.
Damn the second dude interviewed said “your last breath could be your best breath..” damn that’s deep 😔
15:52
also had that realization after living in Guiné Bissau, great to see more people having it, and also sharing it like you
Wow , what a transformation of the RUclips vids. Your thriving brother keep up the great things
I respect what you been doing lately Tommy G💪🏽 I’m a heroin addict myself and I lost my 18yo little sister to a overdose back in 2019. You show these people so much compassion. You give people an outlet to tell their stories. You should go to Kensington Philadelphia next. It’s basically the skid row of the east coast. Keep up the good fam💯
What does heroin feel like
@@hbl_sqndr189 google exists bro this is a dumb ass question
Fuck yeah tommy i love when u do videos like these in the hood and just in general exposing whats really going on
Excellent video Tommy G! Glad you kept safe out there; especially after u said your life was threatened..definitely eye opening on skid row. Thank u for the tour! ❤️🩹
Great video Tommy G ! Congrats on 100k, keep up the good work.
6:40 what that man said is so incredibly true. None of these people can get better without the mindset, they truly need to help themselves before coming back to society. It's upsetting when alot of them see drugs as a way to live life.
Great video. Funny how that guy who got ran over was acting and talking like any other person and then goes off on how crack is penicillin.
that part had my dying 🤣
Mad respect to you Tommy and his team! Just keep the good vibes and don't let anyone like Lima change your journey. Definitely got talent. No fake news here
Tommy, i enjoyed ur interview style. It comes across as engaging, informative, genuine, caring and NOT disrespectful. 'Good intention and good heart'. Keep it up.
Met a dude here back in 2019 stopped in a chik fil a by staples center and was making small talk dude was an attorney a highly respected attorney in LA and he told me where his tent was he made more than enough money to by a house/ apartment but he chose to live on the street willingly in skid row he was a well dressed guy too he said exactly what the guy in the blue plaid sure said it made him feel free and he wasn’t judged
Interesting questions, great job Tommy
Scary how people think it is ok to do this
Thanks for the video mate this blows me away seeing this I come from Tasmania Australia and I can honestly say we live a sheltered life compared to the USA thankfully.
back with a fire video! keep it up 🔥🔥
"each person carries a story" what a beautiful way to describe Skid Row 8:01
That’s stupid. All people carry a story.
@@tempsitch5632 uh that’s what he said. SMH
As someone who grew up very privileged and had access to money at any point for any emergency event. However, my parents lost absolutely everything after I was well into adulthood and supporting myself and my kids. However, I now needed to help them myself. And I was living pay check to paycheck. And after a series of really tragic unexpected emergency events and then the realization my own father had secretly forged my name and stole what I had invested for such events several months prior to him and my mom going bankrupt and house foreclosed on. So, I actually now had nothing left at all to bounce back. And me the girl who grew up from 10-18 in a million dollar house (in the Midwest) was now homeless, and only had a very old Honda SUV and a storage unit full of our belongings. We had to sleep and survive out of the Honda and I’d occasionally buy a week or few days at a shity hotel for a break. This went on during the first stages of Covid as well. So getting help with the world shut down became crazy difficult. Anyway, I found new jobs to replace the big one I had lost. And we got into a tiny one bedroom basement apartment with a 10 and 15 yr old kid (at the time)!! Trust me when I say this can happen to anyone. I wasn’t a bum or looser. I have still never been evicted or arrested or completely draining the system and living off welfare or whatever the stereotype is. People don’t understand how this happened so easily. And a lot of “homeless bums” have jobs currently. It’s a country where the cost of living doesn’t even come close to a basic hourly wage. 😢💔
You are an amazing reporter. You show compassion and respect to the people. Much love from UK , via HK.
i like these documentaries
TOMMMMMMYYYYYYYY! Hope to run into you in Milwaukee one of these days, bro. Keep doing what you do.
I’d love to say hi! When you see me, holler!
@@TommyGMcGee will do brother! Thanks for the reply!
This was a good video Tommy keep up the good work love being able to see the world from different perspectives
I went to Methadone mile in Boston, that experience still haunts me. Skid row, Kensington...that's on another level. Tommy G, u are a Brave one.
Tommy out here risking his life and not getting the appreciation he deserves!
6:40 that gentleman was very nice.
He said penicillin in crack lol
Love the gratitude at the end of your videos 🙏🏼
I know this guy is going to blow up great videos keep it up man 💪🏾
TOMMY I NEED YOU TO DO A VIDEO WITH CRIP MAC IT WILL GO SO VIRAL AND YOUR IN LA IVE BEEN BEGGING YOU PLZ DO IT ITS PERFECT IDEA
Yesss
@@jayhay6608 I hope he does it
I was homeless on n off from about 16 - 20.. mostly ages 18 - 20 though. About to turn 21, currently off the street & hopefully it stays that way but idk
My family situation is fucked up so I could be back out there at any time
i hope you are thriving and doing well since your post months ago.
This is crazy man, great content all around. Your next up
my man going hard as fuck. i wanna organized something to help these people forget their troubles for a day with good weed/ not crack
Weed can negatively people with mental illness
I get it. I am an addict. Im 4 years clean now because i have the best woman by my side. I understand how valuable having that person in your life is and not everyone is fortunate enough to have that. But at the end of the day you have to first admit to yourself that a problem exist. Then, this is important, you have to genuinely want to be clean. If you dont then you just keep disappointed in yourself and perpetually stay addicted. So to all those who care, you are worth it and you can beat it. One love!
you about to blow up this year Tommy great content
Thanks for putting the real out here bro been watching you for a long time and love your videos man from a person who has been in this situation much love big dog 💪
Thank you brother 🙏
Can not believe this is happening in America so sad🙏🙏🙏
5:20 this guy is delusional, these people don’t want to be helped. They don’t want to change. They don’t want to leave their addiction. No amount of money will fix someone who doesn’t want to be fixed
100%. I learned that the hard way. U can’t help someone who doesn’t truly want help
"I believe you can go anywhere in this world with good intentions and a good heart"
Damn, quote of the year and it was from a youtuber.
Killing it with these spots your hitting bro 🔥🔥🔥🔥
Momma with the jacuzzi has a hustle going. She’s gotta be up to something to be able to have all that she does, and have it out in plain sight. She seems fearless. It’s almost as if she knows that nobody is going to steal from her. There must be stout consequences.
That's exactly what I was thinking as well. She mentioned that she surrounds herself with gang members. She's well groomed, owns a relatively mid iPhone model, and appears to be sober. Her solar panel is particularly an expensive one. Furthermore, she goes on to nudge buddy towards the end of her interview just to say, "I looove skid row. 😏" Hmm.. I wonder what Ms. Stephanie does out there on skid row. 🤔
She sells that good dope
@@beesafesweetheart8738 10000000000%. She probably is aligned with gangmembers that pay the cops off down there.
That dress she had on,she made it her self!! You can actually see the sewing machine right there!. Much respect to her. She probably sells stuff she makes. She has a nice thing going on. And i bet she got or pays for security some how. She even said,shes the mayor there. I can see why. Great lady and such good vibes and energy.
My thoughts exactly. They respect her or something she has protection or something because someone would assult her and take all her property overnight!
I am on disability. Lost 2/3rds of my income, in 2014. The yuppies raised my rent $450 more a month. So they have put me in the danger zone. Have to spend every day selling my belongings and fundraising. Even when i was working, was living paycheck to paycheck. You are brave. Be careful out there. I lived in LA for 12 years. Have seen Skid Row up close. Wouldn't want my enemies out there. Is also getting bad, here In Phoenix. The Northridge quake threw me over here
Man, this place makes me feel sad but hopeful. Some of the most generous and kind people work their hardest to help these people. Lost Angeles is a really good documentary.
Very considerate, informative interview Tommy G 👏 God bless 🙌 🙏🏽
This guy w the mask. My heart goes to him. He knows what is wrong. He needs a hand up. The whole mental health thing. Admitting that w his background and family is so huge.
I hope and pray he gets the hand up he needs.
The greatest country in the world, right?