Henry
Hi, My name is
Henry.
Disconnected from his family and belongings stolen, Henry’s journey home to Illinois was never meant to include living on the streets of philadelphia
In June of 2025, Henry White was on a bus from Virginia Beach, VA, to go home to Springfield, IL when he simply got off in Philadelphia. It was a bus ticket that was bought for him by a Virginia Beach non-profit, and once he left the bus, he had no ability to continue his journey. He spent two months on the streets of Philadelphia before he found his way to Philly House.
In the two months on the streets, Henry’s belongings were stolen including his phone and his identification. He had no phone numbers to contact his grown son and daughter in Illinois.
Henry’s relationship with his parents was difficult from the very beginning. His father had already been in jail when Henry was a very young boy. He taught Henry things he says he shouldn’t have known at six and seven years old. His home life was littered with abuse, yelling and fighting. Henry’s father died when he was just 8 years old and he became intransient and uncontrollable at home. Henry quit school and at the age of 17, was in prison for three and a half years. While he was in prison, his mom was the only person who visited him and his relationship with his mother improved and this mother and son started to work things out. Henry’s favorite memory of his mom was the fried chicken and mashed potatoes that she made for Henry for his birthday.
He lived with his mother for 10 years before she died.
Struggling without a high school diploma, trying to raise two children along the way, Henry dropped out of life onto the streets. He characterizes himself as a “table user “ if it’s on the table he’s going to use it, although his drug of choice is Methamphetamine. He has lived on the streets for years in multiple different cities between Illinois and the East Coast. He has tried rehab multiple times. He considers homeless people his true family, and notes that making the decision to be sober is hard and you must leave people behind.
“I am a good person that has done stupid things. All these things make me the person I am today and I’m trying to turn it all around.
”
After two months on the streets in Philadelphia, Henry began to realize that he is too old for this lifestyle and it’s time to make different choices. He found Philly House through the referral system. He met Shalina, Philly House case manager. As Shalina began working with Henry, she realized he had no ability to connect with his family. Looking through social media, Shalina was able to find Henry’s daughter. She reached out and ultimately Henry, his daughter and his son were reconnected. Both daughter and son invited their Dad to come home and be with them.
At the end of August Henry got on a bus to Springfield, Illinois. He finished the trip he had started in June. His son and daughter were there to meet him.
When asked what Henry wanted you to know about him . . he said “I am a good person that has done stupid things. All these things make me the person I am today and I’m trying to turn it all around.”
Pray for Henry as he starts this new journey back to health. With hope in front of him and his faith in God, Henry is starting out again. It’s the world we want to see.
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