Bill Henry

Born in the inner city of Baltimore, Maryland William was the third son of seven children born into the Henry’s family. Bill says that early in youth, he remembers feeling inferior to others, inadequate and rebellious against authority.

Following his own pathway in life and self-defeating attitudes contributed to Bill’s decision to experiment with alcohol, constantly in search of acceptance. His stubbornness continued and he became a teenage father. Finally, the United States Marine Corps became a way of escape. But it really wasn't an escape; Bill saw war and twice he sustained injuries. He almost died serving in Vietnam. Continuing to struggle inwardly, he began medicating the pain with illegal drug use and living a promiscuous lifestyle. This became a way to cope with life, which eventually escalated to breaking the law and to an arrest.

Lost, desperate, and confused the addiction was unstoppable. Bill became a shell of a man which was daily being consumed and nonfunctional to the point of losing everything. But on July 2, 1991, bringing everything he owned in a shopping bag, Bill entered the doors of Peniel to the place that has over the entrance door: "At Last There's Hope." This would prove to be a life changing experience that continues to impact his life these many years later.

After graduating from Peniel Bill came aboard as a staff trainee. He wanted to give back to his generation. He wanted to offer a hand to those caught in the same maze of hopelessness from which God had so miraculously delivered him. He could relate to the dorm life and discouragement. He could bring a reality to the guys that came from beyond theory. Bill continues to honorably serve as an administrative member of the Peniel staff.

A few years later, Bill married a wonderful Christian Canadian beauty with the voice of a songbird and the spirit of an angel. Bill is the first to say that his lovely wife, Susan is a direct gift from God. Susan and Bill have truly dedicated themselves to helping others find the answer that has changed their lives.

Soon after his marriage, Bill also decided to continue his education. He returned to school and received a Bachelor Of Science Degree In Human Resources Management followed by earning his Pennsylvania State Certification as an Addiction Counselor (CAC).

Peniel encourages the staff to increase their knowledge base through formal and consistent in-service training conducted by addiction specialists. Staff must remain abreast of latest treatment tools and social trends in order to be effective. Likewise, Bill is always eager to receive training to sharpen his skills and keep him up to date with pertinent cutting edge information.

His love and care for the Peniel clients extend beyond addiction counseling. Bill works closely with the male residents, their family members and the significant others in their lives to help them develop and maintain their sobriety goals. As a staff member he models behavior as well as assists in walking clients through interpersonal dorm relationship issues that are sure to arise in a therapeutic community. Bill teaches them principles of self-management and self-discipline needed to prepare them for life’s inevitable challenges.

Click here to read an article by Bill entitled, "Understanding and Treating Men Emotionally Damaged in Combat". This article was previously published in Profiles Magazine.