Remembering Havertown’s William Eisenhuth, Homeless Advocate

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William Eisenhuth of Havertown, an advocate for the homeless and those with mental illness
Image via The Philadelphia Inquirer
William Eisenhuth

An advocate for the homeless and the mentally ill, William Eisenhuth of Havertown died Tuesday, Jan. 17 from complications of COVID-19, writes Rita Giordano for The Philadelphia Inquirer.

He spent many nights offering people experiencing homelessness food, coffee, or blankets bought with his own money.

“Bill was one of the pioneers,” said Sister Mary Scullion, director of Project HOME “He was a very authentic human being, and we stand on his shoulders.”

As a young teen, Mr. Eisenhuth rode his bike from his Upper Darby home to the state mental hospital in Norristown to talk to people “behind the fence.”

He eventually became a volunteer there.

He also spent time as a youngster at Upper Darby’s 69th Street transit center and was befriended by the Greyhound bus staff and drivers, even working occasionally for the company.

But he saw his mission as serving people with mental illness, including struggling youth.

Throughout his life, he has worked and volunteered at various mental-health hospitals, shelters, and institutions.

Mr. Eisnhuth founded the Advocates for the Mentally Disabled. He received an honorary doctorate from Villanova University, a Benjamin Rush Award, and a state accolade for his work training police.

Read more about the life of William Eisenhuth in The Philadelphia Inquirer.

Homelessness is a public health crisis.

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