Around 2016 or 2017 or so, there was this youtube channel that I loved to follow, which I discovered the usual way of going down youtube rabbit holes. It featured a group of characters who all lived at and/or hung out at this somewhat dilapidated house in London, Ontario Canada, and worked for this guy Jeff McCafferty. Most of them were either young street urchins (like 21 year old Wil), recovering drug addicts (late-30 something Drew) or 20-something guys who had either done time in jail or who were likewise dealing with various substance abuse issues, all of them trying to live their lives and get back on their feet. So the main character, Jeff, took these guys in, gave them jobs, and tried to hook them up, and the channel was about their various exploits. It was all raw, real and unscripted. But despite the stated theme of it being about "A bunch of derelict Canadians pranking each other" there was an underlying theme of addiction and recovery. And when Jeff eventually relapsed into his own addictions and his own life spiraled out of control, the channel became difficult to watch. I'd like to think that Jeff and his Ramshackletons crew eventually got their lives together and were able to pick up the pieces, though I don't know; after Jeff posted a sort of "Farewell" after a stint in jail, nobody seems to know.
Around 1935, John Steinbeck wrote a novel called "Tortilla Flat." In it, a chronically unemployed alcoholic named Danny inherits some property, which he sub-lets to a group of fellow bums, derelicts and degenerates. All of them who struggle to some degree with alcoholism or mental illness. However, together they try to be a force for good, banding together to help those in need in their community. (While also engaging in various booze-fueled shenanigans.) But after Danny and the house is gone, the whole group splinters, presumably back to their lives in the gutter.
So this is for all of the Jeff McCaffertys and the Danny's out there, who, though they may have deep flaws, still nonetheless strive to be forces for unity and goodness, and bring out the best in people around them.
So that's all I got. See ya.
