Gutterpunks: New Orleans Homeless Street Youth - PRE Katrina

Reporter Tim Estiloz visited New Orleans in this 1997 story about a group of homeless youth - dubbed by some in the city as "Gutterpunks". Estiloz spent several days with this group of disaffected and indigent young people - many of whom willingly chose to live on the hard - sometimes dangerous, streets of "Pre-Katrina" New Orleans.




Most of these kids lived "day to day" begging for food and money. Some lived in deplorable conditions near the popular French Quarter... unimaginable in the years before Katrina. Estiloz gained the trust of many of these kids... who allowed Estiloz to follow them, interview them and show their difficult life on the streets - an existence that some city administrators and business people in New Orleans frown upon. This is a uniquely candid and sad window into a homeless youth underclass in New Orleans that existed well before Katrina... and also still exists today.

This story was written and produced by Tim Estiloz - who now reports on entertainment for CN8 - The Comcast Network.

See more of Tim's videos on You Tube on his channel "FilmFanTV"... and be sure to subscribe.

Be sure to visit Tim's website: www.TimEstiloz.com
http://www.timestiloz.com/Site/Home.html

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Gutterpunks
• New
• Orleans
• Katrina
• Homeless
• Youth
• Street
• Kids
• Poor
• Beggar
• Hippies
• Louisiana
• Bourbon
• French
• Quarter
• Jazz

[xNervousxBrainx]

Hey-decent piece Tim. Takes me back to MY memories of 1997.

It's great to see something thats not just a pure exploitive news story. Thanks for being a responsible Journalist. Thats rare in and of itself.

[FilmFanTV]

... THANK YOU so much.

Words and comments like that mean the world to me.

I'm glad you enjoyed it.

God bless.

Tim

[MiztressWinter]

Sorry about the double posting error! :) Thanks for forwarding my info to Tommy. Those people at the drop in center did so much for us back then. To some people...washing your clothes...taking a shower...having a snack...it might all sound like an average thing to the average person...but when you have nothing a little is alot! Take care of you.

[FilmFanTV]

It is what impressed me then... and continues to impress me today.

Thank God you are well and around. Take care of yourself... and much love sent your way.

[MiztressWinter]

Wow does this bring back some memories! I'm the girl starting at 1:26 shown only for a few minutes. I've been living in Columbus Ga for the past year and working...although I've been on and off the road most of my life. Anyone know what happened to any of these people? Good times man. I loved the Drop In Center...that's back when Chris and Alexis were there. peace and safe travels....WINTER

[FilmFanTV]

HI Winter.

This is the reporter who was there who did this story back then. Good to hear you are OK. I've forwarded your contact info to Tommy.

Take care and God bless.

Stay well.

[victimizedsociety]

im 13 and i tried to get out atleast for like a day or two so i ran away and its tuff. especially when u walk so far u cant walk anymore i have mad respect for these people and someday im gonna end up like this not even trying to sound like a poser but i really would like to prove somthing and have good life experiences

[FilmFanTV]

Thank you for the update... if you learn more - PLEASE let me know.

I am the reporter in the story... and those people affected me greatly. My heart goes out to "Road Rat"... though I would prefer his real name.

I agree... some of these people choose to be in their state... others have no choice. Count your blessings... if you have a simple roof over your head.

God bless.

[VaginalJuices]

The Guy At 2:07 Is Called Road Rat.

He Had His Hip Badly Broken After Being Jumped.

Then Had His Jaw Crushed I Have Not seen Him Since Hurricane Katrina