Harry, 47

I came across Harry smiling opening doors for a McDonald’s saying God Bless to the customers who came in and out. Harry says he is from the streets, more specifically Chinatown. In his last consistent position, he was working at St. Luke’s hospital on 14th and Amsterdam as a transporter such as walking a person to dialysis. He lost that job because he was arrested and has been out of prison since 2016. From time to time, he works for his uncle when he can at his piano movement company. However, due to the pandemic, work is scarce and his uncle is not getting a lot of orders. He was found on the Q subway line in April and was asked whether he’d like a hotel or shelter provided by DHS in order to be safe from COVID-19. Harry chose the hotel and has done two tests to make sure he is COVID-19-free. He has been at the hotel for almost five months. Harry has a phone that he uses to stay in touch with his brothers who he said are doing well and to get in touch with his uncle when he is contacted for work. Harry was exuding really good spirit with good energy so I acknowledged that to Harry. Harry said “yes, yes, things are turning up” for him after being out on the streets the last five years “thanks to Jesus”. Harry says “I am good now, God Bless”. When I asked if he was religious, he said “he is learning, trying, and striving”. He said before I came to speak to him, he was looking at “backslidings” in the Gospel and said he has got to watch himself because “people be backsliding”. Harry says his greatest support is his sister, his friend, Roger, and the Lord. He is grateful that his sister helps him out with food sometimes. Before I headed out, Harry was very persistent that I needed to see his two seconds of fame as he moved a piano and gave the thumbs up to the camera in the piano movement company’s YouTube Commercial. Thanks Harry! I hope to see you next time I get fries!

Story by Tara