Would love to get your thoughts on the homeless situation of Las Vegas (and America in general) -- as this is a growing issue nationwide. My goal in making this video was to humanize the tunnel residents of Las Vegas, and let them use my platform as a place to share their own personal stories and struggles. I appreciate you watching this story and I look forward to reading your comments, suggestions and opinions!
As someone who has lived in a number of cities across America and currently lives in Las Vegas, the homelessness issue in Vegas is the worst I have ever seen. A ton of homeless people on the strip at night, and downtown all day long. As for America this has become a major issue and something needs to be done to fix it. Either we need to arrest these people and put them in jail or build places for them to go to. These people are flooding the streets with trash, drugs, crime etc.
Stop claiming nobody knows about these people. Las Vegas knows exactly what it has been doing to its poor and homeless. They have all the money in the world to fix the problem but corporate greed has left them forgotten or worse they’ve been criminalized just for being poor.
Many of these people were once children full of opportunity and dreams. This could happen to anyone, it only takes a few wrong decisions, mental health issues or a devastating event. I hope that they get the support they need. As always, thank you Drew. ❤️
That assumes that every ones childhood is positive, safe, with love, secure etc etc, some people’s childhoods are so rough they never get to have a dream or opportunities afforded to them.
99% of them, put themselves there. Why should people donate to the same people who spend their days, begging robbing and stealing to get their drug fix, None of them have an interest in being sober. It's sad that they live like this, but it was their own actions, people need to stop acting like they are helpless children.
@uglyraff9313 most? I am recovering from depression and anxiety. I have never been addicted to anything. So, I would just be discarded then because of a false statistic? Which is about 50% by the way. Half of the people you would just say tough luck? And the other half? How do you know what led them down that path? People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.
Very true!! Not all homeless people are bad, they are human and have feelings too. Some are actually genuine people going through bumps along their journey
i used to be homeless, and it took me years after being housed again to feel like i belong in society after being dehumanized by so many people and police. and i saw so much kindness and consideration and warmth from other unhoused people. i remember all the times someone was kind to me because that’s how rare it was. be kind always. you never know what someone has been through or is going though.
People in África suffering without choice. People in my country Brazil, suffering living in trash mountains trying to find food... You guys with Work opportunity, food, clothes, internet, house ... Simply choose to Go on DRUGS ... I DONT understand, why humans have to suffer first, see others suffering to try better life choices
@@brunobastos1899 i was never on drugs nor did i “choose” to be homeless. i am aware of other human suffering. you do not know my situation or others. see past your own eyes
I needed this today. I used to be homeless in Juneau, Alaska, a few years ago, addicted to heroin. Moved up north and got clean. Then, i wrecked my car. I lost everything that day. My kids. The love of my life. I'm still an utterly broken person but this.. this showed me how far I've come and helped to shine a light on some of the shame I've been carrying. Thank you for humanizing us ♡
Congrats! Same situation. I had to make a drastic change in my own lifestyle to climb out of the gutter. Alot of homeless people are addicts and just want drugs and will never get better. It doesn't matter how much money/food/clothes people give them, unless they wanna change, they never will.
Great video! I have gone in the tunnels with Shine A Light a few times. The people who run the organization are absolutely incredible. They bring supplies every Saturday morning, building relationships and trust while addressing almost every person by name. They offer real help without pressure and keep coming back to check on their friends underground. The people they serve know they can call Shine A Light whenever they are ready for a second chance. If you are touched by this video and want to do more, consider donating to their organization directly. In just the first six months of this year, 268 people have accepted their help. ❤️
How many have stayed out of the tunnels, stayed sober , stopped being homeless? I’m asking because some people accept help, then fall back onto the street life , over and over again. I genuinely hope those help stay off the street .
@@teresahiggs4896 it’s very likely a small %. Mark Leita, who runs the Soft Underbelly channel where he interviews a lot of ppl on Skidrow in LA, said less than 1% of the ppl he’s interviewed and given help to, actually stayed clean.
yup they need some incentive and desire to look forward to. and if everyone treats them like crap they will stay hopeless and not want to do anything or take any effort to bring themselves out of their lifestyles. cause they believe they deserve the way they live, since everyone treats them like trash. it's good that groups like that don't push too much too soon and try to force people to do things. nobody can help anyone who doesn't want help. showing them that not everyone is crap is the only way to get them to look forward to waking up.
That bald guy with the tattoos worked at the rehab I was in. He gave me a bunch of clothes and had respect for everyone. Thanks so much man I hope you see this.
@RobBanghart is his name/channel. He wrote a comment near the very top, thanking Drew for going out there. Hope you're doing well. Super proud of you!! It takes a butt-load of determination & pain to get through. Legend 🙌🏽💖
I'm currently homeless after losing everything I worked years for. Not an addict or anything just ended up in a bad spot. All shelters in my area are full, and even with a job, social worker I'm struggling to even be able to feed myself. I feel sick every day because I barely eat. It's sad that I'm having tk choose between food or save and suffer to try and get a place on my own. Praying there's an end to this shit soon.
I'm currently homeless in the UK and try to stay away from central areas when I sleep. I make sure to shower and wear clean clothes daily to avoid appearing homeless. What people don’t often realize about homelessness is how draining it is; you wake up constantly worried about the risk of being mugged. stay strong.
@@1visitante If I move to another country, I’ll be without any rights. My country made the unfortunate decision to leave the EU, so I’m left with just three options: Ireland, Scotland, or England. However, I’m gradually working on resolving my homelessness issue.
You guys are amazing! I want to help out. How can I? I guess look up your organization…please guide me if there’s any other advice. If you say it at the end of the video, my bad…not finished yet.
Rob at Shine a Light humbled me. He doesn't judge, goes where most would avoid, is respectful and real. Excellent video, Drew and Crew. Really went above and beyond for this one.
I’m a dealer at a casino in Vegas. I’ve had a homeless guy play at my table. He was telling me about his life before he became homeless. He was a brilliant kid in school he was even on his way of getting a scholarship but he was hanging around the wrong people that introduced him to drugs. I hope he’s alright wherever he is. Some of them are actually good people. Thank you for sharing this video. Most people see them as a nuisance but you show in your video that they’re human just like us, just with different burdens.
@@iainlee4274 maybe they gamble in hopes of winning a jackpot or to double up or lose their money real quick, it’s not that deep. Don’t tell me you’re actually surprised that homeless people go to casinos to gamble.
They make their OWN burdens! Playing at your table? Where did he get his money? Did he smell and wear tattered clothing like the one's in this video? Many are MASTER manipulators and lie a good story.
This is probably one of the best videos I've seen of this nature. Both being respectful of the homeless while also treating them as people rather than a hazard. Great job
That's one of the reasons I love Drew's videos as well. No matter where he goes he's very respectful and not judgemental towards the people in his videos❤
Aw man, Rob was my Chef Mentor during my internship out of culinary school 12 years ago. Just recently I wondered what had ever happened to him after I left the restaurant, so I was shocked to see him on your video. He was definitely the Chef that showed me tough love but made a huge impact on me as a young pastry cook. I am sad to see he had to go through so much in the last 12 years since I met him but I am so happy that he was able to turn his life around and is using his experience to make a difference for others in our community.
I work with homeless in my city, just going out every week and bringing food, offering prayers and giving info for resources and shelters and the biggest thing I see is that people just want to talk. To share their story, to have someone look them in the eye and let them know what they have to say matters. Homeless people are people and they need to be treated as such.
What a strange contrast between the casinos above and the tunnels below , such a dicotomy , a symptom of a deeply fractured society..................The guy from Hawaii is such a mavrick! I really wish the best for him and everyone living in these situations. Drew, you did a great job in shining a light and fighting the dehumaisation and demonisation of the addicts , the homeless, the downtrodden and forgotten outcasts.
When I was living in Vegas for 6 years I always thought it was strange to see billion dollar casinos right next to housing complexes and Hughes encampments of huge encampments of homeless people. It's so crazy most people that visit Vegas will never see that, I always tell people that visit Vegas don't go off the strip after it gets dark. There's a lot of bad stuff going on,
This made me cry dude. The fact that homeless man with a missing eye has no ID to even collect his cash. He doesn't even care. These ppl are in terrible shape.
Wow. I went to Las Vegas last month and I was shocked I didn’t see that much homeless people. I didn’t know they were living in this dungeon. Praying from them.
Why is there so much money for illegals who kill Americans with impunity but there is nothing to help these people? Tiny homes built in communities could help them live in a semblance of a home. Dear God, please help these people.
I was homeless for a few years and in and out of active addiction and it is incredible how society will look right through the “undesirable” people as if they can’t see them. It is so difficult to pull yourself out of this situation alone, and requires good support system and lots of resources to assist. But it’s not easy, have to work for it
and trump will even make it worse, because he does want to outcast those people... they are human,just like everyone else,but people like trump and musk will never understand...
Everyone has a story about how they became homeless. A guy lives in the woods beside a bridge by my house and Ive stopped to give him food and water before when passing by. I noticed him at 3 AM sitting by the bridge railing while picking my husband up from night shift at work. We stopped to check on him and he said he was starving. We drove him to our house and I went inside and made him some spaghetti, bread and brownies that id made earlier in the day. He was so thankful and we talked for a while. His home burned down with his wife and children along with it. You could see the hurt in his facecand hear the pain in his voice. He lost everything he had and loved in one moment that turned his life upside down. My heart breaks for him. I know people are leary of displaced people because some are bad but theres more good than bad out there, especially now. You never know what life has in store for you. Always try to be kind.
@@Paul-d2y8s They do not where I live. The only place that served food to our homeless was torn down 6 months ago. They are trying to deter anymore vagrants from coming to our area. Some places give government funding but not in Pascagoula, Ms. Churches are the only help our displaced get other than people on the community.
Addiction and homeless makes people feel uncomfortable. Its why its swept under the rug. Its a dark and sad part our society. I am 14 years clean but still stay in a program and I see the pain on peoples faces that are trying to get sober. Takes a real leap of faith to let yourself be vulnerable and recieve help. Great video shining a light on the darkness
@@suad01 Adults are responsible for their own decisions, but the decisions that people make under the influence of drugs aren't made in the same way that you make decisions because drugs change the way your brain functions of course this isn't an excuse for dangerous or criminal behavior. We understand that mental illnesses alter our ability to make rational decisions but we don't seem to recognize that addiction does too. That shift in decision-making is what separates an addict from a drug user. Addiction starts in the midbrain, it turns off the neurons that make up our pleasure and euphoria circuit and it floods the brain with dopamine, in the nucleus accumbens that dopamine triggers a wave of pure happiness, next it reaches the amygdala where it deactivates your fear center, wiping away any feelings of stress or anxiety. In response to this the brain creates less of its own dopamine so that when you're not using, you're depressed and the things that would normally bring you pleasure leave you feeling empty. When you try to stop using your brain turns on you. You feel sicker than you ever have, worse than the flu, worse than food poisoning, your eyes and nose water, your skin crawls as you vacillate between too hot and too cold, you vomit and have diarrhea, your head hurts and it aches deep in your joints, you can't get comfortable and you can't sleep and time goes by so slowly, and just as bad as any of that is what is happening in your brain. You feel emotionally empty and overwhelmed by depression and an anxiety that is emotional and physical. Your brain is searching your pathways for dopamine and there is none, it can't make it and you don't have any way to get it. The oldest, most reptilian part of our brain that controls fight or flight takes over, it bypasses the frontal lobe that is responsible for our moral and logic systems, and it's going to get dopamine one way or another and it's desperate. Now you're doing things you would normally never do, now you're discarding your own personal ethics, and you feel it happening and it scares you. Addiction has taken over and the person you were and wanted to be is receding and you want to hang on it, you try to hang on to it. I fought the urge to do terrible things and I'm glad that I did but it wasn't easy. I was young and no one knew what the opioid epidemic was, when my Dr prescribed me pills I didn't ask any questions. I've been sober for 10 years, making that decision was easy but following through wasn't.
@suad01 that's cute...life is just so black and white like that. All you gotta do is be successful and don't do drugs. Just like people that get Cancer...so stupid just don't get cancer am a right? 🤦
This organization and that man are a beautiful thing! As a recovering heroin addict with 12 years clean I wish I had been in contact with an organization like this one that actually cared and showed empathy/sympathy. It’s nice that someone has made a video that actually shows people in addiction are human. We are not the scumbags people think we are. We all have family and friends who care and love us. Shine A Light keep doing what you’re doing! For anyone still sick and suffering from the hand of addiction, please get help, recovery is a beautiful thing!! I promise the grass the greener in recovery! ❤️❤️❤️
❤❤. I am proud of you. I have been clean for 12 years. watching this documentary makes my heart so very sad, 😢 . the man that's talking at around 9:45 ish where he says it's haunted and that there's real demons and that their blacker than black ( he is absolutely correct 💯) and when he was asked something about his worst experience there ! the guy said " the hauntings"!! 😮 it made me go cold, . 😮 what a tragic desperate toxic depressing place. . It's awesome that these guys go there and help them in which ever ways they can.
My Dear Lizziehody, 💘 I'm so so proud of you. As reading your comment brought tears to my eyes. I had a beloved friend that I lost who I miss dearly and think about and carry in my heart and memories. In the early days I really tried to help her and hoped that one day she would take it or do it on her own. That day didn't happen and now she is with the angels. It does leave an imprint on your own life when someone you love leaves you like that. Yes you move on with your life but you never ever forget the people that you loved so much. Thank you for your comment as in a way it brought back those beautiful memories that I shared with my friend. Thank you and keep up the awesome work that you are doing. It's absolutely wonderful to hear how well you are living your life. With love ❤and blessings 🙏
Fellow recovering opiate addict here - & I wish I could give active addicts a quick glimpse of what life is like after you get clean. I was one of those people who thought I'd NEVER be able to get right, I thought death would find me first. So if I can do it, I feel like anyone can do it. I've lost DOZENS of friends, classmates, associates, acquaintances over the years. I always have narcan and test strips to give out. People will never stop doing drugs, but I can help them be a LITTLE safer. My new favorite phrase (ive started making shirts/hoodies with it) is Not Just A Junkie. I'm a daughter, an aunt, a cousin, a godmother, im a person. That goes for my fellow addicts, our addiction doesn't define us, we're all still people 💕✨
I'm 9 months clean and reduced methadone by half so far, stopped drinking every day and quit smoking 🎉 the girl in this video talks about normalisation, I've tried to explain that to people before who didn't have the introspection to realise it so happy to see her talking about that
I'm a recovering addict and was wondering if I could help. I'd love to start shining a brighter light on this and there is HOPE I can finally say that. There is more and YOU can be ALL that God wants and intended. I understand and I've been there and I love you all.
@totus_tuus3 ya they taught me how to "ching"soda machines with a tool built from a stolen car antenna.......and which train full of box cars went to salt lake city.
Wow cool. On Thursday morning; two homeless guys were caught wheeling a dead girl around in a suitcase. And sometimes they eat each other, which happened in Downtown last year.
Vielen lieben Dank für diese Art von Dokumentation! Ein wirklich, wirklich hartes Leben! Jeder kann plötzlich vor dem NICHTS stehen. Vor Allem, wenn man keine Familie hat.
exzactly....ive lost a child and i can totally see his situation i just wanted to shrink away from everyone i still have a hard time 4 years later being around people especially family...
God bless these Shine A Light people. I am a recovering addict and it was hard enough to get sober with a roof over my head and my family supporting me. I cannot image doing it without and support or hope.
I was homeless for 30 years, but not in a tunnel. I work every day and slept under trees and bushes at night. Got my Social Security and I have a place to live now I am 71.
@@ElioSch1423, em alguns aspectos é melhor. Pelo menos temos o SUS e vários outros programas sociais, os quais, embora não funcionem 100%, pelo menos funcionam, sendo um suporte básico e por vezes efetivo. Enfim, a diferença é que aqui no Brasil os programas sociais, mal ou bem e mesmo com desvios, sempre entram no orçamento público.
@@EliHeberoliveira O SUS e muito limitado. Nos estados unidos eles podem ganhar financial aid pra pagar hospital privado e e muito melhor. Os programas sociais do brasil servem so pra criar curral eleitoral, eles nunca tiram ninguem da pobreza.
The Salvation Army mens adult rehab in Columbus, Oh saved my life too. The rehab was free, based around Christianity, three hots and a bed and a job in the warehouse. Made some great friends with an incredible support circle. In house meetings, sponsors, anger management classes and your personal counselor. The place is truly underrated. So when you donate clothing, toys, furniture, make sure you donate to Salvation Army because most of the proceeds go to changing peoples lives, and the rest goes to keep the lights on and pay the bills. Been clean 10 years now and counting. I couldn't of done it without them and I still pay them a visit every now and then to remind and humble me of where I was and how far i've come. Thanks
Thank you, Drew. I once knew a street person named Mary. She was a heroin addict. I found out her story, and the first responders could only take her to ER, sober her up and put her back on the streets. One night, they picked her up and put her in the local jail where she died that night. I found out later that a priest gave her a funeral. This was many years ago but the human cost has stayed with me. Thank you for this video. We are all people. No person is born into the world wanting to live in a tunnel forgotten by the world.
Ppl die in jail from w/d ,not taken to hospital. Years ago i saw ,the life of Ben ,i think it was called ,he was documeting his life and efforts,.the last vid was in the clinic he checked in to quit ,his heart stopped. RIP
I was homeless in Vegas. Also in the midwest for 5.5yrs straight. Never done drugs. Worked 2 jobs during much of that time. Now have 4 houses, all paid off. 2 vehicles, paid off. Tough times don't last -- tough people *DO*.
I lived for 6 years in Las Vegas and had no idea there were people living under the streets until after I moved away. Truly out of sight, out of mind. So sad.
I knew…I think I only knew because I lived in the Arts District…very close to the strip and tons of homelessness despite the city’s efforts to gentrify the area. If I lived in other parts of the city…it probably would have been different for me. It was depressing…and even more depressing to see people you used to bring McDonald’s to while they slept are still sleeping on the streets when I visit. I saw so much in my 3 years there…but this video was well done and def sheds a light into a huge problem in Vegas and beyond
Even when I was homeless for a while with my pets I always thought how lucky am I to have a car at least. I can move around. Others are stuck there. There's always someone worse off. There really is.
I like way you dont pass judgment on these people and how your questions about their experiences are sincere. It breaks my heart to see folks struggling like this.
I was humbled after watching this. I hope you could help these people especially the "seniors" in this situation to have a better place out of the dark and danger down there.
Bless you for bringing their stories "to light". They deserve better. We need more equity in this country - help for addicts, mental patients, abuse victims - all of it. I am ashamed that there aren't more resources to help people, especially the homeless.
I feel you, my heart goes out to these homeless people living underground like rats. The government sends billions to Ukraine… yet, they abandon their own citizens. It’s such a shame and sad beyond words to see these homeless people struggling everyday to survive. This reminded me of how fortunate I am to have a roof over my head and a food bank in my community.
I am a very grateful to God for almost 7 yrs of sobriety...it was incredibly eye-opening to see and hear these tragic stories...thank you bro for giving them a way out...
Shine the light is an amazing idea brought together by some strong people. I have been clean and sober for almost 5 years and if I see someone living rough, I do the same thing. I stop and find out about these peoples lives. Although not everyone wants help at the time, sometime just getting to talk, and find out that someone who's been there and started a whole new chapter is just what they need to believe in themselves. Much love
I actually Met Jay (the guy in the thumbnail) 2 months ago. I shared his story on my RUclips channel. I actually got his birth certificate from the vital checks. I have also tried contacting his family but no one got back to me. Jay is from a very good family. My goal is to get him out of the tunnel as soon as possible. I actually went again to Vegas to meet Jay on Jun 28th. I also hung out with him and talked about how he is doing and told him the good news that I got his birth certificate. He was very happy about it. Hopefully we will get his ID and get him out in no time. I'm looking for a place for him so he can stay there in the mean time. It was actually so hot outside as well as inside the tunnel i could not survive for 20 minutes. I love Jay hopefully he stays safe out there until we get his ID back to him. ❤
I was worried about him... something really tugged on my heart when I saw him in this video. I am beyond happy to know that you are trying to get him help❤❤❤
Bless you sir for helping out that person that needs just that help to change up his life and get shelter and his living needs , it takes times to do those things , you make time for the lost . God bless you and the many others that take the time to change one life at a time !
El Valor que tienen estas personas que consiguieron salir de los túneles y ahora ayudan a los que continuan en ellos , me ha dejado sin palabras , son heroes . Personas que han escapado del Hades y vuelven a recuperar almas de el . mis bendiciones con vosotros . Podria habernos tocado a cualquiera de nosotros .
Been homeless off and on since i was a teenager. I always got a job and come out of homelessness. Having good roommates is helpful for overcoming homelessness. Finding a good church helps as well. Cleaning up after yourself when you're homeless is crucial to staying healthy, clean and sober.
Has a British person I have travelled the world and seen homelessness everywhere even in my own country, but when I visited America I wasn’t expecting to see the amount of people who were homeless as I did, and questioned myself why the government is doing nothing about it for such a great country and people wanting to live the American dream, I hope all of these people find their way, including wherever they live in the world.. god bless America and god bless the rest of the world ❤
The government can only do so much, there is a street called A street, it's on the cross street with Washington avenue. They provide daily jobs there but a lot of homeless would prefer to just panhandle because it's easier money. My brother used to work for the post office on Las Vegas boulevard and lake Mead, there is a little door on the side of the post office called general delivery. Every 10 minutes homeless people would ask if their check came in the mail, most times it would be the same people. They just keep checking if their check have arrived so that they can buy drugs. Lots of provisions here for the homeless but unfortunately you can't help those who won't help themselves
You can't help someone who doesn't want it. I live in Portland, one of the worst cities in the US for homelessness due to the law that decimalized hard drug use. It destroyed the city, people don't want a home, a job, anything, they just want their next fix. They are addicted to drugs and until they are willing to change then the problem will never be fixed.
it’s because the government in America doesn’t actually care about any of its citizens, especially homeless people. they only care about the ones that fill their pockets the most. america is not a great country at all, to be honest.
Because it's not a great country. Our "greatness" is one of the greatest illusions ever pulled off. This country is the anthropomorphization of "greatness" while being a serfdom in disguise. The poor get poorer while the rich get richer. Thats why we're all being replaced by immigrants, so they can extract as much labor as possible for the least amount as possible. The servants are being rode harder and harder every day.
That guy with one eye is a smart guy, given the chance he could hold down a job and get himself back on track. It is getting the chance to get clean and make a new start that must be so hard. My heart goes out to these people
Thank God for Shine a Light! My brother was homeless for 3 years and an organization helped him get into an apartment and furnish that apartment. In order to help the homeless we need to find out WHY the person is homeless. This organization that helped my brother helped me to help him. I now know how to get to the resources he needs. Part of our society's problems is there is NOT enough done for the mentally unstable. Handing out psych pills for free to these people helps in a way but only if the person takes the meds regularly and consistently.
just not a laser light! seriously though, you could be my sister talking about me, if i didn't live on the other side of the sea. it is disgusting if not wicked that we allow people to shine lasers in their eyes 'because it helps me feel better' than get them the professional help they so clearly need.
Man, that last guy reminded me way to close to someone I know at home who could totally be on that path of homelessness if he doesn’t get it together. Thank you for making this video. It’s hard to know how to help these people when it starts with them accepting they need the help. I hope the world can fix this crisis!
What a beautiful story of hope, offers of redemption and a way to find a light. I had not heard of this helpful charity. We all need to support SHINE A LIGHT so they can continue to shine their lights and help those who need it so so much. Bless them all.
You guys are amazing fr. You all story is why you are able to help others. You’ve been through it and came out. God is so good. This is yall calling. Don’t ever feel like y’all don’t have a place in the world. Y’all are out here reaching others ❤ that’s amazing
Watching this video was a powerful experience. It reminded me that everyone, regardless of their background, deserves dignity and respect. No one should feel less valued. To the people in the video, please know that you are thought of and not ignored. Kudos to the producer for shedding light on this important issue.
This is one of my favorite videos I've watched of you yet. You did a great job allowing the people to tell their stories in such a raw and genuine way. It's hard to find that these days. As someone who lives in America and has only seen the homeless population get worse since I was a kid in my area alone. Shine a Light is going about it the right way. Treating people with empathy is the true answer to this crisis.
I mean at the end of the day he's the one that's always taking other people's video ideas when he's one of the biggest on the platform. Dude should be setting an example, not this righteous "I'm a good person" acting shit.
This video hit me really hard. I’ve seen tunnel videos, but none of recent, and none this raw. So many of these videos are so dramatized, but you really humanized the tunnels and show humans who are suffering. I grew up in Vegas. I lost my mom three years ago from addiction. She was loved ones who never lost hope away from ending up here. It could have been her. I replayed that line in my head watching this. It’s people’s dads, sons, daughters and mothers down there. I pray for each and every one of them!!!!
I always felt a very dark energy in Vegas. I lived there from 4 years old to 15, and I am grateful to God every day that I left. That place is truly sin city.
I'm Brazilian, and here getting things is difficult and very hard work, many people I know dream of going to the USA or Europe to have better opportunities, to live with more dignity. But observing other nations I realized that the so-called first world countries have these absurd things too, that if we don't fit into this false system, it destroys us, you know! I don't know, we have to fight to improve around us, change our frequency. Drugs and many other things unfortunately keep human beings away from the real purpose that I believe is evolution, my feelings for your mother, and for the things that have happened in her life. I also believe that this city has a terrible energy for anyone. I hope you are well and prosper in all areas of your life, because I believe that we are children of God, and he wants to see us happy, but he also respects our own free will!
The nicest people i have ever met was when i was homeless. These people will literally give you the shirt off their back. When my fiance and i were homeless on the west side of Chicago, this guy told us the best dumpsters to sleep in. This nice lady from 7/11 gave us the "old" sandwhiches and fruit when we both came in to combine our change to get a hot coffee. The kind lady to let us ride the eL and sleep on itn on cold nights. We were heroin and crack addicts. Sober from those things while on MAT since JAN 2019. God bless these people. Some of the strongest sweetest people you can get to know.
They all seem to have severe mental health problems alongside their addiction. So sad to see the contrast of society above and below. I pray they get help. Rob is an angel. Shine a light do great work 😢❤
They'll only get help when the world funds public healthcare and cares about the working class. Right now Europe is turning into America and American lives are cheap because corporations own you. They own us all now
Sadly, drug use can take a sane person and make them insane. Of course, many times the mental issues were always there, but years of drug use can cause them as well.
Been following you for years Drew and I cannot tell you how great it is to see you shining a light on issues like this. It's awesome to see how you've grown as a content creator and i'm all here for it. Thank you for once again (like you've done many a times) highlighting good people doing good work. Hope you and Diana are doing well. All love from Denmark bud.
I subscribed after this video which is the first I’ve seen from this channel. Thank you for this vudeo; I appreciate the scope you took because it was very personal and not judgemental! You worked with a group of people that were evidently very hands on and seemingly very helpful for the people suffering under these conditions. I really appreciate this video and thank you very much for your work and how you approached this project. God bless uou and this enterprise.❤🎉😢😮😊
it only takes one hit of one of them blues or crystal to get a person hooked for life in many circumstances so she’s absolutely right, 100% of the people living in those tunnels use drugs so it’s safe to say it only takes one bad decision.
Drew, I’m absolutely LOVING your content post 197 countries! It’s so raw, so interesting, so deep. Incredible! I wasn’t aware of these Vegas tunnels, I’ll donate now! Thank you so much for sharing your experiences with us, truly life-changing! 🙏🏻
Moeron what r u thanking him for,like u f Americans don't know for homeless people.Acting all surprised they existing, stop that BS don't donate nothing that guy gonna steal all money!!!
I mean at the end of the day he's the one that's always taking other people's video ideas when he's one of the biggest on the platform. Dude should be setting an example, not this righteous "I'm a good person" acting shit.
@@dr.vivian4277 Nobody is angry, it's just kinda cringe and ironic that the jewish guy that's already known to be a grifter is doing even more to shit on his reputation
@@yikes710 What does him being Jewish have to do with *_ANYTHING?_* ? And why are you so hateful .. spamming the same hate-filled comment all over here?
They can only try to help themself because a) there is no God who will help them, b) no government who‘ll do something for them and c) no society who would help them.
awesome doc.... I met that dude Irish outside Tarkanian Sports Center w my AAU team and he was the coolest dude ever. I asked him to talk to my guys and def instilled some wisdom on em and treated us great. Someone should give that guy a shot he's a real one
Shine the Light and you men are such a light in an otherwise dark world! This was so heartbreaking, but also good men helping others give me hope for a brighter future. I work for the courts and see so much despair , but not a lot of programs to help. I wish we had a Shine the Light in Florida.
I remember these guys I was struggling with addiction and I was in desert hope in the sober home in the hotel that was made into a place to help people. I remember the people that would come in and talk and I remember the shine a light. They really helped me and opened my eyes and heart and I have more than a year sober and clean. I am living well in my own apartment. I am living my best life and I have my dream job and life and I have to say thank you shine a light. Keep helping others.
That woman who said she needed detox broke my heart. I am an addict in recovery, and addiction is such a tough disease. When you add depression and anxiety, it’s awful! I pray for these people! I am blessed! I have my family who supports me through thick and thin. All alcoholics/ addicts are one bad decision away from relapsing ….
I love when the community, specially those who got out, go and try to rescue the rest. That's real compromise and tbh that's what made America great once: caring for your own neighbor, saving them for disgrace so they can pursuit the American Dream. "Shine a Light" you're part of those who carry on with the flame, God bless you.
I know what you mean , to lose a child is devastating , let alone 2 and have them killed through no fault of their own. I would go off my head . bless him and hope he is doing ok
I would be devastated if anything ever happened to one of my children, the gentleman from Shine a Light had a few minutes earlier in the interview said that this man makes up stories to garner sympathy from people so was he actually being truthful? This is why it is so important to give to reputable organizations instead of to the people themselves.
This Shine a light program with its lovely people is a beautiful thing! I hope as many homeless people as possible accept the help offered. Helping others is what humanity should be all about! I wish you all all the best!
Thank you for making this video, taking time to visit these people and tell a bit of the story. As a society, we glorify resilience and so-called strength. We never do enough to highlight extreme fragility and hardship, and how it can damage and destroy lives. Thanks again for putting this out into the world.
Thank you for the video. I really appreciate having the chance to understand each person's story and perspective. I get a feeling that a lot of chefs end up homeless because of the presence of drugs. Blew my mind to hear the chef talk about 80k a year. "Work 16-18 hours a day to pay for a place you never get to see."
![Felix "Unfair" | [Stray Kids : SKZ-PLAYER]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Oswujxm2Ag0/mqdefault.jpg)
Would love to get your thoughts on the homeless situation of Las Vegas (and America in general) -- as this is a growing issue nationwide. My goal in making this video was to humanize the tunnel residents of Las Vegas, and let them use my platform as a place to share their own personal stories and struggles. I appreciate you watching this story and I look forward to reading your comments, suggestions and opinions!
Do you still live in the tunnels under new york?
Be very careful, I
Know you’ve been around but don’t take it for granted.😂
@@drewbinsky thank you 👍
As someone who has lived in a number of cities across America and currently lives in Las Vegas, the homelessness issue in Vegas is the worst I have ever seen. A ton of homeless people on the strip at night, and downtown all day long. As for America this has become a major issue and something needs to be done to fix it. Either we need to arrest these people and put them in jail or build places for them to go to. These people are flooding the streets with trash, drugs, crime etc.
Stop claiming nobody knows about these people. Las Vegas knows exactly what it has been doing to its poor and homeless. They have all the money in the world to fix the problem but corporate greed has left them forgotten or worse they’ve been criminalized just for being poor.
Many of these people were once children full of opportunity and dreams. This could happen to anyone, it only takes a few wrong decisions, mental health issues or a devastating event. I hope that they get the support they need. As always, thank you Drew. ❤️
That assumes that every ones childhood is positive, safe, with love, secure etc etc, some people’s childhoods are so rough they never get to have a dream or opportunities afforded to them.
Funny you can get naloxone for free in almost every single city on this country but God forbid you need some insulin
99% of them, put themselves there. Why should people donate to the same people who spend their days, begging robbing and stealing to get their drug fix, None of them have an interest in being sober. It's sad that they live like this, but it was their own actions, people need to stop acting like they are helpless children.
Most people suffering with mental health, is a direct impact from their drug use.
@uglyraff9313 most? I am recovering from depression and anxiety. I have never been addicted to anything. So, I would just be discarded then because of a false statistic? Which is about 50% by the way. Half of the people you would just say tough luck? And the other half? How do you know what led them down that path? People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.
"I hate being hated by everyone for what other people have done" "Not all homeless people are bad" broke my heart.
They're very manipulative people and complete liars.
The drug addict squatters that steal to support a meth/opiods Habbit are the law breaking scourge.
I bet that’s how black people feel.. being judged by others shortcomings because of skin tone being lumped together..does that break your heart too?
Very true!! Not all homeless people are bad, they are human and have feelings too. Some are actually genuine people going through bumps along their journey
@@thawkins9999 but alot are bad and make everything dirty]
i used to be homeless, and it took me years after being housed again to feel like i belong in society after being dehumanized by so many people and police. and i saw so much kindness and consideration and warmth from other unhoused people. i remember all the times someone was kind to me because that’s how rare it was. be kind always. you never know what someone has been through or is going though.
People in África suffering without choice. People in my country Brazil, suffering living in trash mountains trying to find food... You guys with Work opportunity, food, clothes, internet, house ... Simply choose to Go on DRUGS ... I DONT understand, why humans have to suffer first, see others suffering to try better life choices
@@brunobastos1899 i was never on drugs nor did i “choose” to be homeless. i am aware of other human suffering. you do not know my situation or others. see past your own eyes
❤❤
😢😢
I don't give money but I will buy someone a hot meal and a coffee to go
I needed this today. I used to be homeless in Juneau, Alaska, a few years ago, addicted to heroin. Moved up north and got clean. Then, i wrecked my car. I lost everything that day. My kids. The love of my life. I'm still an utterly broken person but this.. this showed me how far I've come and helped to shine a light on some of the shame I've been carrying. Thank you for humanizing us ♡
I hope you’re okay now, and remember everything will be OK if you just have faith♡︎
May God watch over you.
I have to applaud this guy for even getting up in the morning.
sending you love & prayers ❤
I’ve been there myself! Clean for 15 years and it’s a miracle
That's wonderful!😊 What a blessing to hear that!
Congrats! Same situation. I had to make a drastic change in my own lifestyle to climb out of the gutter. Alot of homeless people are addicts and just want drugs and will never get better. It doesn't matter how much money/food/clothes people give them, unless they wanna change, they never will.
God bless you!! I’m going through it as well
@kristinbeverencallado7827 Yeah only because you had to face some grim hard truths about yourself. That's no miracle. It's called honest insight
They should clean the place up. Then they woulldnt pick at each other because they would be too busy.
Great video! I have gone in the tunnels with Shine A Light a few times. The people who run the organization are absolutely incredible. They bring supplies every Saturday morning, building relationships and trust while addressing almost every person by name. They offer real help without pressure and keep coming back to check on their friends underground. The people they serve know they can call Shine A Light whenever they are ready for a second chance. If you are touched by this video and want to do more, consider donating to their organization directly. In just the first six months of this year, 268 people have accepted their help. ❤️
How many have stayed out of the tunnels, stayed sober , stopped being homeless? I’m asking because some people accept help, then fall back onto the street life , over and over again. I genuinely hope those help stay off the street .
Out of how many thousands!??😢
@@teresahiggs4896 it’s very likely a small %. Mark Leita, who runs the Soft Underbelly channel where he interviews a lot of ppl on Skidrow in LA, said less than 1% of the ppl he’s interviewed and given help to, actually stayed clean.
yup they need some incentive and desire to look forward to. and if everyone treats them like crap they will stay hopeless and not want to do anything or take any effort to bring themselves out of their lifestyles. cause they believe they deserve the way they live, since everyone treats them like trash. it's good that groups like that don't push too much too soon and try to force people to do things. nobody can help anyone who doesn't want help. showing them that not everyone is crap is the only way to get them to look forward to waking up.
@@ian.swift.31614 they deserve the opportunity to get help, IF they seek it. The problem is most refuse to give up drugs
That bald guy with the tattoos worked at the rehab I was in. He gave me a bunch of clothes and had respect for everyone. Thanks so much man I hope you see this.
@RobBanghart is his name/channel. He wrote a comment near the very top, thanking Drew for going out there.
Hope you're doing well. Super proud of you!! It takes a butt-load of determination & pain to get through. Legend 🙌🏽💖
Um salve do Brasil 🇧🇷
❤
I hope you are doing ok? hopefully he has seen this
Grats on making it through, hope each days easier.
I'm currently homeless after losing everything I worked years for. Not an addict or anything just ended up in a bad spot. All shelters in my area are full, and even with a job, social worker I'm struggling to even be able to feed myself. I feel sick every day because I barely eat. It's sad that I'm having tk choose between food or save and suffer to try and get a place on my own. Praying there's an end to this shit soon.
I'm currently homeless in the UK and try to stay away from central areas when I sleep. I make sure to shower and wear clean clothes daily to avoid appearing homeless. What people don’t often realize about homelessness is how draining it is; you wake up constantly worried about the risk of being mugged. stay strong.
Yes, it is.
Que a sua situação melhore, se esse país é mto caro procure outro para vc viver.
@@1visitante If I move to another country, I’ll be without any rights. My country made the unfortunate decision to leave the EU, so I’m left with just three options: Ireland, Scotland, or England. However, I’m gradually working on resolving my homelessness issue.
I'm so sorry you have to live through a low situation ❤😢 I hope it gets better very soon, and I'm rooting for you ❤❤❤❤ sending you all the love❤❤❤
Also please stay safe ❤
Thanks for coming out Drew it was great to spend the time with you and thanks for covering the work we do!
You’re a legend Rob thanks for everything !!!
You’re a saint bro respect everything you do
Thanks for what you do! Upstate NY and Kensington needs more people like you
You guys are amazing! I want to help out. How can I? I guess look up your organization…please guide me if there’s any other advice. If you say it at the end of the video, my bad…not finished yet.
Big up man!
Rob at Shine a Light humbled me. He doesn't judge, goes where most would avoid, is respectful and real. Excellent video, Drew and Crew. Really went above and beyond for this one.
💕
Should have worn boots though, & maybe handed out flashlights & drinking water etc to those underground
He was actually homeless and lived in the tunnels himself.
Thank you for posting this and God bless. I don't know what to say. Lost of words and very angry that it's even late to help most of these people.
I’m a dealer at a casino in Vegas. I’ve had a homeless guy play at my table. He was telling me about his life before he became homeless. He was a brilliant kid in school he was even on his way of getting a scholarship but he was hanging around the wrong people that introduced him to drugs. I hope he’s alright wherever he is. Some of them are actually good people. Thank you for sharing this video. Most people see them as a nuisance but you show in your video that they’re human just like us, just with different burdens.
Same thoughts here.
Yeah but a homeless person at a casino? What about he was doing fine until someone introduced him to gambling?
@@iainlee4274 maybe they gamble in hopes of winning a jackpot or to double up or lose their money real quick, it’s not that deep. Don’t tell me you’re actually surprised that homeless people go to casinos to gamble.
They make their OWN burdens! Playing at your table? Where did he get his money? Did he smell and wear tattered clothing like the one's in this video? Many are MASTER manipulators and lie a good story.
@@Jolers63 My grannies in hospital. Need money for bus fair. Heard it million times.
This is probably one of the best videos I've seen of this nature. Both being respectful of the homeless while also treating them as people rather than a hazard. Great job
🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
That's one of the reasons I love Drew's videos as well. No matter where he goes he's very respectful and not judgemental towards the people in his videos❤
@@LoLoLifeinFlorida Dude he is just pretending,he wants to make money of homeless people,he is f liar!!!
Easy to do when it's gonna get you a nice paycheck.
Dude shut tf up, stop ur BS, what f respect he giving them.He is pretender he doesn't care for them!!!
Aw man, Rob was my Chef Mentor during my internship out of culinary school 12 years ago. Just recently I wondered what had ever happened to him after I left the restaurant, so I was shocked to see him on your video. He was definitely the Chef that showed me tough love but made a huge impact on me as a young pastry cook. I am sad to see he had to go through so much in the last 12 years since I met him but I am so happy that he was able to turn his life around and is using his experience to make a difference for others in our community.
I was waiting on someone to talk about him
Better than camped out all over the streets ….
The amount of drugs professionals use…they will end up in that sludge.
Yeah he trained us well Megan!
I work with homeless in my city, just going out every week and bringing food, offering prayers and giving info for resources and shelters and the biggest thing I see is that people just want to talk. To share their story, to have someone look them in the eye and let them know what they have to say matters. Homeless people are people and they need to be treated as such.
You're awesome! Keep up that vibe, girl, but take care of youeself first and foremost.
What a strange contrast between the casinos above and the tunnels below , such a dicotomy , a symptom of a deeply fractured society..................The guy from Hawaii is such a mavrick! I really wish the best for him and everyone living in these situations. Drew, you did a great job in shining a light and fighting the dehumaisation and demonisation of the addicts , the homeless, the downtrodden and forgotten outcasts.
I’m from Hawaii & Chichester.
At 1st glance i thought about the ex Wynn chef, was a Filo.
When I was living in Vegas for 6 years I always thought it was strange to see billion dollar casinos right next to housing complexes and Hughes encampments of huge encampments of homeless people. It's so crazy most people that visit Vegas will never see that, I always tell people that visit Vegas don't go off the strip after it gets dark. There's a lot of bad stuff going on,
This made me cry dude. The fact that homeless man with a missing eye has no ID to even collect his cash. He doesn't even care. These ppl are in terrible shape.
He has his birth certificate which supersedes any ID.
He's just emotionally defeated and that's what stimulants can do to your hormonal wellbeing
He is too far gone to care anymore!!
People
😢
Wow. I went to Las Vegas last month and I was shocked I didn’t see that much homeless people. I didn’t know they were living in this dungeon. Praying from them.
Go to freemont.... its way diff than the strip. U see alot
Why is there so much money for illegals who kill Americans with impunity but there is nothing to help these people? Tiny homes built in communities could help them live in a semblance of a home. Dear God, please help these people.
I was homeless for a few years and in and out of active addiction and it is incredible how society will look right through the “undesirable” people as if they can’t see them. It is so difficult to pull yourself out of this situation alone, and requires good support system and lots of resources to assist. But it’s not easy, have to work for it
and trump will even make it worse, because he does want to outcast those people...
they are human,just like everyone else,but people like trump and musk will never understand...
Didn't they teach you at school that drugs are bad?
Good you came back from that life
Good job maam from India
Everyone has a story about how they became homeless. A guy lives in the woods beside a bridge by my house and Ive stopped to give him food and water before when passing by. I noticed him at 3 AM sitting by the bridge railing while picking my husband up from night shift at work. We stopped to check on him and he said he was starving. We drove him to our house and I went inside and made him some spaghetti, bread and brownies that id made earlier in the day. He was so thankful and we talked for a while. His home burned down with his wife and children along with it. You could see the hurt in his facecand hear the pain in his voice. He lost everything he had and loved in one moment that turned his life upside down. My heart breaks for him. I know people are leary of displaced people because some are bad but theres more good than bad out there, especially now. You never know what life has in store for you. Always try to be kind.
So nice of you to do that. No one has ever become poor by helping and giving. Kindness is free. The things we take for granted others pray for.
@@conniegnesda9720 So many don't care and it really is hard to see a fellow human struggle. You are correct about kindness being free.
The government doesn't offer any help ?
@@Paul-d2y8s They do not where I live. The only place that served food to our homeless was torn down 6 months ago. They are trying to deter anymore vagrants from coming to our area. Some places give government funding but not in Pascagoula, Ms. Churches are the only help our displaced get other than people on the community.
I've seen people say some incredibly hateful things in the comments of this video. It was nice to see someone be empathetic. Thank you for being kind.
Addiction and homeless makes people feel uncomfortable. Its why its swept under the rug. Its a dark and sad part our society. I am 14 years clean but still stay in a program and I see the pain on peoples faces that are trying to get sober. Takes a real leap of faith to let yourself be vulnerable and recieve help. Great video shining a light on the darkness
I think people recognise that adults are largely responsible for their decisions, and consequently respect individual agency.
@@suad01 Adults are responsible for their own decisions, but the decisions that people make under the influence of drugs aren't made in the same way that you make decisions because drugs change the way your brain functions of course this isn't an excuse for dangerous or criminal behavior. We understand that mental illnesses alter our ability to make rational decisions but we don't seem to recognize that addiction does too. That shift in decision-making is what separates an addict from a drug user. Addiction starts in the midbrain, it turns off the neurons that make up our pleasure and euphoria circuit and it floods the brain with dopamine, in the nucleus accumbens that dopamine triggers a wave of pure happiness, next it reaches the amygdala where it deactivates your fear center, wiping away any feelings of stress or anxiety. In response to this the brain creates less of its own dopamine so that when you're not using, you're depressed and the things that would normally bring you pleasure leave you feeling empty. When you try to stop using your brain turns on you. You feel sicker than you ever have, worse than the flu, worse than food poisoning, your eyes and nose water, your skin crawls as you vacillate between too hot and too cold, you vomit and have diarrhea, your head hurts and it aches deep in your joints, you can't get comfortable and you can't sleep and time goes by so slowly, and just as bad as any of that is what is happening in your brain. You feel emotionally empty and overwhelmed by depression and an anxiety that is emotional and physical. Your brain is searching your pathways for dopamine and there is none, it can't make it and you don't have any way to get it. The oldest, most reptilian part of our brain that controls fight or flight takes over, it bypasses the frontal lobe that is responsible for our moral and logic systems, and it's going to get dopamine one way or another and it's desperate. Now you're doing things you would normally never do, now you're discarding your own personal ethics, and you feel it happening and it scares you. Addiction has taken over and the person you were and wanted to be is receding and you want to hang on it, you try to hang on to it. I fought the urge to do terrible things and I'm glad that I did but it wasn't easy. I was young and no one knew what the opioid epidemic was, when my Dr prescribed me pills I didn't ask any questions. I've been sober for 10 years, making that decision was easy but following through wasn't.
Same here……12 Step life.
@suad01 that's cute...life is just so black and white like that. All you gotta do is be successful and don't do drugs. Just like people that get Cancer...so stupid just don't get cancer am a right? 🤦
@@suad01obviously there comment struck a cord with you.....
I wonder why? Hmm
This organization and that man are a beautiful thing! As a recovering heroin addict with 12 years clean I wish I had been in contact with an organization like this one that actually cared and showed empathy/sympathy. It’s nice that someone has made a video that actually shows people in addiction are human. We are not the scumbags people think we are. We all have family and friends who care and love us. Shine A Light keep doing what you’re doing! For anyone still sick and suffering from the hand of addiction, please get help, recovery is a beautiful thing!! I promise the grass the greener in recovery! ❤️❤️❤️
❤❤. I am proud of you. I have been clean for 12 years. watching this documentary makes my heart so very sad, 😢 . the man that's talking at around 9:45 ish where he says it's haunted and that there's real demons and that their blacker than black ( he is absolutely correct 💯) and when he was asked something about his worst experience there ! the guy said " the hauntings"!! 😮 it made me go cold, . 😮 what a tragic desperate toxic depressing place. . It's awesome that these guys go there and help them in which ever ways they can.
❤❤❤❤
My Dear Lizziehody, 💘 I'm so so proud of you. As reading your comment brought tears to my eyes. I had a beloved friend that I lost who I miss dearly and think about and carry in my heart and memories. In the early days I really tried to help her and hoped that one day she would take it or do it on her own. That day didn't happen and now she is with the angels. It does leave an imprint on your own life when someone you love leaves you like that. Yes you move on with your life but you never ever forget the people that you loved so much. Thank you for your comment as in a way it brought back those beautiful memories that I shared with my friend. Thank you and keep up the awesome work that you are doing. It's absolutely wonderful to hear how well you are living your life. With love ❤and blessings 🙏
Fellow recovering opiate addict here - & I wish I could give active addicts a quick glimpse of what life is like after you get clean. I was one of those people who thought I'd NEVER be able to get right, I thought death would find me first. So if I can do it, I feel like anyone can do it. I've lost DOZENS of friends, classmates, associates, acquaintances over the years. I always have narcan and test strips to give out. People will never stop doing drugs, but I can help them be a LITTLE safer. My new favorite phrase (ive started making shirts/hoodies with it) is Not Just A Junkie. I'm a daughter, an aunt, a cousin, a godmother, im a person. That goes for my fellow addicts, our addiction doesn't define us, we're all still people 💕✨
I'm 9 months clean and reduced methadone by half so far, stopped drinking every day and quit smoking 🎉 the girl in this video talks about normalisation, I've tried to explain that to people before who didn't have the introspection to realise it so happy to see her talking about that
I'm a recovering addict and was wondering if I could help. I'd love to start shining a brighter light on this and there is HOPE I can finally say that. There is more and YOU can be ALL that God wants and intended. I understand and I've been there and I love you all.
Helping these people takes so much effort, people should be applauded.
Can’t help someone else if they don’t want help and try too
They don't help they actually make it worse. But why let the truth get in the way of making a bunch of white, liberals feel better about themselves.
@@suebuschmann7057we can try yes but if he don't want ...
They are below blood sucking leeches they have every chance to work
When I hit rock bottom in Vegas these people were the 1st to offer me help.
Glad to hear you had some help and also glad you moved away from that 👍
That's awesome, glad you were able to recover.
@totus_tuus3 ya they taught me how to "ching"soda machines with a tool built from a stolen car antenna.......and which train full of box cars went to salt lake city.
Wow cool. On Thursday morning; two homeless guys were caught wheeling a dead girl around in a suitcase. And sometimes they eat each other, which happened in Downtown last year.
@@joeaardvark9214😢 oh wow that is the most darkest & evil thing I’ve heard about this place.
That man from “shine a light” is a beautiful human being. So genuine. I can feel how much he cares.
Vielen lieben Dank für diese Art von Dokumentation! Ein wirklich, wirklich hartes Leben! Jeder kann plötzlich vor dem NICHTS stehen. Vor Allem, wenn man keine Familie hat.
Oh the man who lost both his children broke my heart 😔 you truly have no idea what people have gone through.
@@AC-PNW exactly!
exzactly....ive lost a child and i can totally see his situation i just wanted to shrink away from everyone i still have a hard time 4 years later being around people especially family...
I’m pretty sure that guy is a liar. His stories are over the top. “ I sold homeless sign for $400” you can tell he is a pathological liar
@22:14 if you meant that time frame they were talking about people that make up stories and he is one of them
You'll believe anything.
Shine a Light appears to be such an effective, intelligent outreach program. Thank you so much for shining a light on them. I hope everyone donates.
God bless these Shine A Light people. I am a recovering addict and it was hard enough to get sober with a roof over my head and my family supporting me. I cannot image doing it without and support or hope.
I was homeless for 30 years, but not in a tunnel. I work every day and slept under trees and bushes at night. Got my Social Security and I have a place to live now I am 71.
Que tristeza sinto muito por sua vida , deveria ter vindo para o Brasil , aqui e melhor
@@gabrielaanastacia1438 O pior conselho que você pode dar a alguém é esse. Aqui é uma merda.
@@ElioSch1423, em alguns aspectos é melhor. Pelo menos temos o SUS e vários outros programas sociais, os quais, embora não funcionem 100%, pelo menos funcionam, sendo um suporte básico e por vezes efetivo. Enfim, a diferença é que aqui no Brasil os programas sociais, mal ou bem e mesmo com desvios, sempre entram no orçamento público.
@@EliHeberoliveira O SUS e muito limitado. Nos estados unidos eles podem ganhar financial aid pra pagar hospital privado e e muito melhor. Os programas sociais do brasil servem so pra criar curral eleitoral, eles nunca tiram ninguem da pobreza.
Seriously 30 solid years
The Salvation Army mens adult rehab in Columbus, Oh saved my life too. The rehab was free, based around Christianity, three hots and a bed and a job in the warehouse. Made some great friends with an incredible support circle. In house meetings, sponsors, anger management classes and your personal counselor. The place is truly underrated. So when you donate clothing, toys, furniture, make sure you donate to Salvation Army because most of the proceeds go to changing peoples lives, and the rest goes to keep the lights on and pay the bills. Been clean 10 years now and counting. I couldn't of done it without them and I still pay them a visit every now and then to remind and humble me of where I was and how far i've come. Thanks
Thank you, Drew. I once knew a street person named Mary. She was a heroin addict. I found out her story, and the first responders could only take her to ER, sober her up and put her back on the streets. One night, they picked her up and put her in the local jail where she died that night. I found out later that a priest gave her a funeral. This was many years ago but the human cost has stayed with me. Thank you for this video. We are all people. No person is born into the world wanting to live in a tunnel forgotten by the world.
Ppl die in jail from w/d ,not taken to hospital. Years ago i saw ,the life of Ben ,i think it was called ,he was documeting his life and efforts,.the last vid was in the clinic he checked in to quit ,his heart stopped. RIP
Was Mary from Riverside?
Keep helping would be so nice for everybody
I was homeless in Vegas. Also in the midwest for 5.5yrs straight. Never done drugs. Worked 2 jobs during much of that time. Now have 4 houses, all paid off. 2 vehicles, paid off. Tough times don't last -- tough people *DO*.
Congratulations ❤
Wow❤
Bravo
Really impressive!! Hard working.
You've come out the other side BECAUSE you've never done drugs.
I lived for 6 years in Las Vegas and had no idea there were people living under the streets until after I moved away. Truly out of sight, out of mind. So sad.
I knew…I think I only knew because I lived in the Arts District…very close to the strip and tons of homelessness despite the city’s efforts to gentrify the area. If I lived in other parts of the city…it probably would have been different for me. It was depressing…and even more depressing to see people you used to bring McDonald’s to while they slept are still sleeping on the streets when I visit. I saw so much in my 3 years there…but this video was well done and def sheds a light into a huge problem in Vegas and beyond
@@Chichichimosasadly, there are homeless to be found in pretty much every area almost out to the 215 it seems these days.
They just started a few years ago my husband built those tunnels. The tunnels are new. So are the violent losers
Sometimes I think my life is shit. Videos like this make me appreciate it more. Almost everyting is managebale.
Even when I was homeless for a while with my pets I always thought how lucky am I to have a car at least. I can move around. Others are stuck there.
There's always someone worse off. There really is.
Manageable ? We aren't meant to merely survive we are meant to really LIVE to the fullest. If you're simply managing thats not living.
I like way you dont pass judgment on these people and how your questions about their experiences are sincere. It breaks my heart to see folks struggling like this.
"Our offer never goes away". That is some seriously good humaning right there.
💕
It lifts the spirit knowing there’s people out there trying to turn the suffering around. You are right, good humaning. Respect
Almost started crying when he said it
@@kahlei98 LOL
Clean since 2019 Jesus helped me
Wow I had cold chills when Drew came out of last tunnel with wet feet and said what am I complaining about those people have literally nothing. So sad
I was humbled after watching this. I hope you could help these people especially the "seniors" in this situation to have a better place out of the dark and danger down there.
Wow! This is heartbreaking. Very sad. May God help these people.
Bless you for bringing their stories "to light". They deserve better. We need more equity in this country - help for addicts, mental patients, abuse victims - all of it. I am ashamed that there aren't more resources to help people, especially the homeless.
I feel you, my heart goes out to these homeless people living underground like rats. The government sends billions to Ukraine… yet, they abandon their own citizens.
It’s such a shame and sad beyond words to see these homeless people struggling everyday to survive.
This reminded me of how fortunate I am to have a roof over my head and a food bank in my community.
I am a very grateful to God for almost 7 yrs of sobriety...it was incredibly eye-opening to see and hear these tragic stories...thank you bro for giving them a way out...
Shine the light is an amazing idea brought together by some strong people. I have been clean and sober for almost 5 years and if I see someone living rough, I do the same thing. I stop and find out about these peoples lives. Although not everyone wants help at the time, sometime just getting to talk, and find out that someone who's been there and started a whole new chapter is just what they need to believe in themselves. Much love
Shout-out to Rob. Props for helping people you understand.
The “Shine A Light” organisation is doing an amazing job 😊👍
I actually Met Jay (the guy in the thumbnail) 2 months ago. I shared his story on my RUclips channel. I actually got his birth certificate from the vital checks. I have also tried contacting his family but no one got back to me.
Jay is from a very good family. My goal is to get him out of the tunnel as soon as possible. I actually went again to Vegas to meet Jay on Jun 28th. I also hung out with him and talked about how he is doing and told him the good news that I got his birth certificate. He was very happy about it. Hopefully we will get his ID and get him out in no time.
I'm looking for a place for him so he can stay there in the mean time. It was actually so hot outside as well as inside the tunnel i could not survive for 20 minutes.
I love Jay hopefully he stays safe out there until we get his ID back to him. ❤
I was worried about him... something really tugged on my heart when I saw him in this video. I am beyond happy to know that you are trying to get him help❤❤❤
May the Lord bless you and give you knowledge and wisdom to help Jay out.
amen
That tunnel needs to be cleaned out as it does not help the homeless down there it's an escapism it doesn't fix the issue
Bless you sir for helping out that person that needs just that help to change up his life and get shelter and his living needs , it takes times to do those things , you make time for the lost . God bless you and the many others that take the time to change one life at a time !
thanks for what you did
El Valor que tienen estas personas que consiguieron salir de los túneles y ahora ayudan a los que continuan en ellos , me ha dejado sin palabras , son heroes . Personas que han escapado del Hades y vuelven a recuperar almas de el . mis bendiciones con vosotros . Podria habernos tocado a cualquiera de nosotros .
Excellent documentary on the tunnel people of LV. I hope Shine A Light benefits immensely from your production
Been homeless off and on since i was a teenager. I always got a job and come out of homelessness. Having good roommates is helpful for overcoming homelessness. Finding a good church helps as well. Cleaning up after yourself when you're homeless is crucial to staying healthy, clean and sober.
I'm happy you know who God is, God bless you
Has a British person I have travelled the world and seen homelessness everywhere even in my own country, but when I visited America I wasn’t expecting to see the amount of people who were homeless as I did, and questioned myself why the government is doing nothing about it for such a great country and people wanting to live the American dream, I hope all of these people find their way, including wherever they live in the world.. god bless America and god bless the rest of the world ❤
The government can only do so much, there is a street called A street, it's on the cross street with Washington avenue. They provide daily jobs there but a lot of homeless would prefer to just panhandle because it's easier money.
My brother used to work for the post office on Las Vegas boulevard and lake Mead, there is a little door on the side of the post office called general delivery. Every 10 minutes homeless people would ask if their check came in the mail, most times it would be the same people. They just keep checking if their check have arrived so that they can buy drugs.
Lots of provisions here for the homeless but unfortunately you can't help those who won't help themselves
You can't help someone who doesn't want it. I live in Portland, one of the worst cities in the US for homelessness due to the law that decimalized hard drug use. It destroyed the city, people don't want a home, a job, anything, they just want their next fix. They are addicted to drugs and until they are willing to change then the problem will never be fixed.
it’s because the government in America doesn’t actually care about any of its citizens, especially homeless people. they only care about the ones that fill their pockets the most. america is not a great country at all, to be honest.
Because it's not a great country. Our "greatness" is one of the greatest illusions ever pulled off. This country is the anthropomorphization of "greatness" while being a serfdom in disguise. The poor get poorer while the rich get richer. Thats why we're all being replaced by immigrants, so they can extract as much labor as possible for the least amount as possible. The servants are being rode harder and harder every day.
I'm homeless in Washington state some homeless ppl don't want help but not all of us, here the shelters are full
That guy with one eye is a smart guy, given the chance he could hold down a job and get himself back on track. It is getting the chance to get clean and make a new start that must be so hard. My heart goes out to these people
Exactly my thoughts!!
He'll be getting more in government benefits than he would get by working in a job.
@@iainlee4274 quit making up stuff
Thanks
Thank God for Shine a Light! My brother was homeless for 3 years and an organization helped him get into an apartment and furnish that apartment. In order to help the homeless we need to find out WHY the person is homeless. This organization that helped my brother helped me to help him. I now know how to get to the resources he needs. Part of our society's problems is there is NOT enough done for the mentally unstable. Handing out psych pills for free to these people helps in a way but only if the person takes the meds regularly and consistently.
Yup. These Americans have tunnels and illegals have 5 star NY hotels and mobiles and cash. Make that make sense. Over 33 million have come in..
Well said, good luck to your brother.
just not a laser light!
seriously though, you could be my sister talking about me, if i didn't live on the other side of the sea.
it is disgusting if not wicked that we allow people to shine lasers in their eyes 'because it helps me feel better' than get them the professional help they so clearly need.
What usually happens is the son takes drugs and becomes mentally unwell, so he has to leave the family home.
Man, that last guy reminded me way to close to someone I know at home who could totally be on that path of homelessness if he doesn’t get it together. Thank you for making this video. It’s hard to know how to help these people when it starts with them accepting they need the help. I hope the world can fix this crisis!
Honestly the real issue is there is no help, not from organizations. Individual ppl have to help each other.
❤💯my friend s
What a beautiful story of hope, offers of redemption and a way to find a light. I had not heard of this helpful charity. We all need to support SHINE A LIGHT so they can continue to shine their lights and help those who need it so so much. Bless them all.
You guys are amazing fr. You all story is why you are able to help others. You’ve been through it and came out. God is so good. This is yall calling. Don’t ever feel like y’all don’t have a place in the world. Y’all are out here reaching others ❤ that’s amazing
Watching this video was a powerful experience. It reminded me that everyone, regardless of their background, deserves dignity and respect. No one should feel less valued. To the people in the video, please know that you are thought of and not ignored. Kudos to the producer for shedding light on this important issue.
This is one of my favorite videos I've watched of you yet. You did a great job allowing the people to tell their stories in such a raw and genuine way. It's hard to find that these days. As someone who lives in America and has only seen the homeless population get worse since I was a kid in my area alone. Shine a Light is going about it the right way. Treating people with empathy is the true answer to this crisis.
Thanks a lot for your input and feedback!
Like a million other RUclips before him covering the tunnels
I mean at the end of the day he's the one that's always taking other people's video ideas when he's one of the biggest on the platform. Dude should be setting an example, not this righteous "I'm a good person" acting shit.
This video hit me really hard. I’ve seen tunnel videos, but none of recent, and none this raw.
So many of these videos are so dramatized, but you really humanized the tunnels and show humans who are suffering.
I grew up in Vegas. I lost my mom three years ago from addiction. She was loved ones who never lost hope away from ending up here. It could have been her. I replayed that line in my head watching this. It’s people’s dads, sons, daughters and mothers down there. I pray for each and every one of them!!!!
I always felt a very dark energy in Vegas. I lived there from 4 years old to 15, and I am grateful to God every day that I left.
That place is truly sin city.
I'm Brazilian, and here getting things is difficult and very hard work, many people I know dream of going to the USA or Europe to have better opportunities, to live with more dignity. But observing other nations I realized that the so-called first world countries have these absurd things too, that if we don't fit into this false system, it destroys us, you know! I don't know, we have to fight to improve around us, change our frequency. Drugs and many other things unfortunately keep human beings away from the real purpose that I believe is evolution, my feelings for your mother, and for the things that have happened in her life. I also believe that this city has a terrible energy for anyone. I hope you are well and prosper in all areas of your life, because I believe that we are children of God, and he wants to see us happy, but he also respects our own free will!
You is beautifull @@desireenichole_
I started crying in the first interview. My heart is broken. I know what we have done but I just wish humans were better
The nicest people i have ever met was when i was homeless. These people will literally give you the shirt off their back. When my fiance and i were homeless on the west side of Chicago, this guy told us the best dumpsters to sleep in. This nice lady from 7/11 gave us the "old" sandwhiches and fruit when we both came in to combine our change to get a hot coffee. The kind lady to let us ride the eL and sleep on itn on cold nights. We were heroin and crack addicts. Sober from those things while on MAT since JAN 2019. God bless these people. Some of the strongest sweetest people you can get to know.
They all seem to have severe mental health problems alongside their addiction. So sad to see the contrast of society above and below. I pray they get help. Rob is an angel. Shine a light do great work 😢❤
They'll only get help when the world funds public healthcare and cares about the working class. Right now Europe is turning into America and American lives are cheap because corporations own you. They own us all now
Sadly, drug use can take a sane person and make them insane. Of course, many times the mental issues were always there, but years of drug use can cause them as well.
Been following you for years Drew and I cannot tell you how great it is to see you shining a light on issues like this. It's awesome to see how you've grown as a content creator and i'm all here for it. Thank you for once again (like you've done many a times) highlighting good people doing good work. Hope you and Diana are doing well. All love from Denmark bud.
I subscribed after this video which is the first I’ve seen from this channel. Thank you for this vudeo; I appreciate the scope you took because it was very personal and not judgemental! You worked with a group of people that were evidently very hands on and seemingly very helpful for the people suffering under these conditions. I really appreciate this video and thank you very much for your work and how you approached this project. God bless uou and this enterprise.❤🎉😢😮😊
Crazy part is most of us are one bad decision away from this. Shout out to those who help the less fortunate!!!
Amen! Definitely 💜 ☝️ 🙏🏾 💯
No, we're not. This is many, many, many bad decisions.
No we are not
it only takes one hit of one of them blues or crystal to get a person hooked for life in many circumstances so she’s absolutely right, 100% of the people living in those tunnels use drugs so it’s safe to say it only takes one bad decision.
facts
Drew, I’m absolutely LOVING your content post 197 countries! It’s so raw, so interesting, so deep. Incredible! I wasn’t aware of these Vegas tunnels, I’ll donate now! Thank you so much for sharing your experiences with us, truly life-changing! 🙏🏻
Thank you so much!
This isn’t just a RUclips channel content creator, he is a wake up call messenger for change in America 😢❤- Thank you .
more people like you are needed
The amount of compassion those recovered addicts from shine a light have is both admirable and beautiful...
Excellent video!!!Thank you for getting your feet wet and sharing 👍✌️
Great video! You showed respect and kindness without judgement. We need more programs like Shine a light.
Drew and the team he teamed up with are giving people a view of the ones who lost their way. Keep going guys.
Thank you Drew for using your platform to highlight these issues. Will donate to Shine a Light
Moeron what r u thanking him for,like u f Americans don't know for homeless people.Acting all surprised they existing, stop that BS don't donate nothing that guy gonna steal all money!!!
I mean at the end of the day he's the one that's always taking other people's video ideas when he's one of the biggest on the platform. Dude should be setting an example, not this righteous "I'm a good person" acting shit.
@@yikes710why are you angry? Did he steal your idea?
@@dr.vivian4277 Nobody is angry, it's just kinda cringe and ironic that the jewish guy that's already known to be a grifter is doing even more to shit on his reputation
@@yikes710 What does him being Jewish have to do with *_ANYTHING?_* ? And why are you so hateful .. spamming the same hate-filled comment all over here?
I'm glad there was a hyperlink to the outfit helping the homeless. Having been homeless myself I donated to the cause. God bless them.
🙏🏿
God help these people recover from all the helplessness and pain.
Or you could help. Did you donate?
They can only try to help themself because a) there is no God who will help them, b) no government who‘ll do something for them and c) no society who would help them.
@@michaelbrdoch2278Bullshit dude. There are programs that can help. And it's the addict's responsibility/choice to help themselves.
Thank republicans cutting help
You're so sweet and caring 💞
awesome doc.... I met that dude Irish outside Tarkanian Sports Center w my AAU team and he was the coolest dude ever. I asked him to talk to my guys and def instilled some wisdom on em and treated us great. Someone should give that guy a shot he's a real one
Well done Drew and Thank you for bringing this to the forefront
😢
It's amazing that people like Shine the light exist and care so much. Amazingly generous and lovely.
Shine the Light and you men are such a light in an otherwise dark world! This was so heartbreaking, but also good men helping others give me hope for a brighter future. I work for the courts and see so much despair , but not a lot of programs to help. I wish we had a Shine the Light in Florida.
God bless you guys for helping them to help themselves
Thanks for this report Drew. I couldn't have imagined this going on under ground. I'm going to contribute to "Shine a Light"😢
This is all so heartbreaking. I pray that their lives change for the better
Pray to Allah 🙏
I remember these guys I was struggling with addiction and I was in desert hope in the sober home in the hotel that was made into a place to help people. I remember the people that would come in and talk and I remember the shine a light. They really helped me and opened my eyes and heart and I have more than a year sober and clean. I am living well in my own apartment. I am living my best life and I have my dream job and life and I have to say thank you shine a light. Keep helping others.
That woman who said she needed detox broke my heart. I am an addict in recovery, and addiction is such a tough disease. When you add depression and anxiety, it’s awful! I pray for these people! I am blessed! I have my family who supports me through thick and thin. All alcoholics/ addicts are one bad decision away from relapsing ….
I love when the community, specially those who got out, go and try to rescue the rest. That's real compromise and tbh that's what made America great once: caring for your own neighbor, saving them for disgrace so they can pursuit the American Dream. "Shine a Light" you're part of those who carry on with the flame, God bless you.
Shining light continuing to help these people and helping youtubers bring awareness is great. They've been doing this a long while.
I feel for the guy who lost his kids.. very sad. I can understand how that would push you off into the deep end. Stay strong brother 💪
I know what you mean , to lose a child is devastating , let alone 2 and have them killed through no fault of their own. I would go off my head . bless him and hope he is doing ok
I would be devastated if anything ever happened to one of my children, the gentleman from Shine a Light had a few minutes earlier in the interview said that this man makes up stories to garner sympathy from people so was he actually being truthful? This is why it is so important to give to reputable organizations instead of to the people themselves.
His children wouldn't want him to be in this place...!
So amazing the love and understanding ❤️
So much respect for 'shine a light' organisation to try to help these people
Its so cool that you literally shined a light on those people!
This Shine a light program with its lovely people is a beautiful thing! I hope as many homeless people as possible accept the help offered. Helping others is what humanity should be all about! I wish you all all the best!
Rob and shine a light are doing a great thing God bless
This is the best example of humanity. I love the effort and I love you for creating this.
As a psych nurse working with addiction patients my heart goes out to these people...
Bless the both of you
It doesn’t matter who you are… it’s sad
@@49ersfoldem Amen 🙏
Same here Australia I hear you.
Thank you‼️💯 🫡 🙏❤️🙏
Thank you for making this video, taking time to visit these people and tell a bit of the story. As a society, we glorify resilience and so-called strength. We never do enough to highlight extreme fragility and hardship, and how it can damage and destroy lives. Thanks again for putting this out into the world.
Absolutely!
Thank you for the video. I really appreciate having the chance to understand each person's story and perspective. I get a feeling that a lot of chefs end up homeless because of the presence of drugs. Blew my mind to hear the chef talk about 80k a year. "Work 16-18 hours a day to pay for a place you never get to see."