Dennis Yu

The Complexity of Homelessness and Addiction

Mark Horvath, founder of Invisible People and Dennis Yu, shed light on the reality of those living on the fringes of society. Mark shares his view on the fentanyl crisis, the importance of harm reduction, and the need for supportive communities.

A Double-Edged Sword

Fentanyl has emerged as a lifeline for some and a danger for many. Horvath highlights a chilling reality — friends who rely on fentanyl daily due to its accessibility and affordability. However, the real danger lurks when fentanyl is unwittingly mixed with other drugs, leading to fatal overdoses. This underscores a critical need for awareness and education about substance purity and its implications.

The Role of Treatment and Harm Reduction

The question is always around the effectiveness of the treatment programs. While the intent is to rehabilitate, the success rates often tell a different story. This brings to the forefront the concept of harm reduction — a safety net for those who falter in treatment, ensuring they live to fight another day. Horvath’s advocacy for harm reduction not only highlights its importance but also humanizes those struggling with addiction, emphasizing the need for societal compassion and understanding.

Perry’s Story

Among the narratives shared by Horvath, Perry’s story stands out — a stark illustration of learned helplessness. Introduced to heroin at the age of 12 by his own mother, Perry’s life trajectory was altered forever. Now, living in a tent and battling fentanyl addiction, Perry’s story raises profound questions about choice, circumstance, and the impact of early life environments on future outcomes.

The Power of Help and Hope

Horvath reflects on the transformative power of assistance. Echoing his own experiences and those who’ve escaped the clutches of homelessness, he underscores a universal truth: no one succeeds alone. This serves as a call to action, urging the community to lend a hand, whether it be through mentorship, resources, or empathy.

The Underestimated Impact of Underwear and Socks

There is an often overlooked necessity — underwear. Despite its simple nature, this basic need is a luxury for many living on the streets. The preference for socks, given their one-size-fits-all convenience, doesn’t diminish the critical demand for underwear, highlighting the logistical challenges faced in addressing even the most basic needs of the homeless population.

A Collective Responsibility

This conversation between Mark Horvath and Dennis Yu serves as a reminder of the complex issues surrounding homelessness and addiction. It’s a call to not only address the symptoms but to understand the root causes. As a society, we are tasked with a collective responsibility to support the most vulnerable among us, recognizing that empathy, understanding, and tangible help can pave the way to recovery and hope.

About the Authors

Mark Horvath, through his work with Invisible People, tirelessly advocates for the homeless, leveraging digital media to break down stereotypes and foster a community of support. Dennis Yu, a notable figure in his own right, brings a wealth of experience and insight into the conversation, further enriching the discourse on these critical issues.


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Dennis Yu

Dennis Yu is co-author of the #1 best selling book on Amazon in social media, The Definitive Guide to TikTok Ads. He has spent a billion dollars on Facebook ads across his agencies and agencies he advises. Mr. Yu is the "million jobs" guy-- on a mission to create one million jobs via hands-on social media training, partnering with universities and professional organizations. You can find him quoted in major publications and on television such as CNN, the Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, NPR, and LA Times. Clients have included Nike, Red Bull, the Golden State Warriors, Ashley Furniture, Quiznos-- down to local service businesses like real estate agents and dentists. He's spoken at over 750 conferences in 20 countries, having flown over 6 million miles in the last 30 years to train up young adults and business owners. He speaks for free as long as the organization believes in the job-creation mission and covers business class travel. You can find him hiking tall mountains, eating chicken wings, and taking Kaqun oxygen baths-- likely in a city near you.
I'm a member of Blitzmetrics Academy and a friend of Dennis to boot. Not only is Dennis highly intelligent and full of great and creative ideas, he's also incredibly generous with both his knowledge and his time. Success couldn't come to a better guy. Thank you for all that you do for the world, Dennis! 🙏

Michael Pacheco

Marketer

Thanks 🙏 for being shining light in this industry. Love what your building for works overseas too network for jobs so innovative. Dennis helped me navigate having bad experiences with marketing agencies and doing dollar a day marketing which has helped my personal brand tremendously. Highly recommend.

Eric Skeldon

Founder at Kingdom Broker

Working with Dennis has been a delightful experience. After meeting him in 2015 I got to collaborate with him on countless occasions. His understanding for state-of-the-art marketing, his implementation, and his leadership put him into the top 0.01% of marketers and mentors.

Jan Koch

Ihr kompetenter Partner für innovative KI-Strategien.

I had the pleasure of interviewing Dennis for my podcast in 2021 and since then we have maintained a friendship that grows with each interaction. I have seen Dennis' devotion to his friends and clients firsthand, and our conversations often result in us talking about how we can provide more value to the people around us. He is someone whom I can ask questions on a technical level, and look to on a personal level. If you have any hesitancy about hiring him, get over yourself and do it!

Isaac Mashman

Help scaling personal brands.

Geez, where do I start recommending Dennis? First, he is an absolutely brilliant marketer who understands where marketing is today and where it's going tomorrow. He also has an incredible passion for the International Worker community. The lessons he has taught me from his almost 20 years of experience hiring International Workers have been immense. Most importantly though. Dennis Yu is someone who wants the absolute best for you and is willing to tell you the truth. Dennis sat with me at a point in my business where I was floundering but did not want to admit it. He asked some very straight forward questions to get me to admit my issues, highlighted the issues, and then helped me create a roadmap to success.

Atiba de Souza

International Keynote Speaker | Video Content Superman | Superconnector |

Dennis, which I had the pleasure of working with is one of the most giving, honest and tell you as it is person I ever know. The knowledge this man has is remarkable and he just gives it out freely. He is not pretentious and always entertain anyone big or small in the industry always willing to help. If you ever get a golden opportunity to work with him or mentored by him say YES!. You will notr regret Dennis, which I had the pleasure of working with is one of the most giving, honest and tell you as it is person I ever know. The knowledge this man has is remarkable and he just gives it out freely. He is not pretentious and always entertain anyone big or small in the industry always willing to help. If you ever get a golden opportunity to work with him or mentored by him say YES!. You will not regret

Nixon Lee

The PR Whisperer

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