Henry Nwalipenja

        Community Organizer

Henry Nwalipenja was born and raised in Cameroon, West Africa during which he played professional soccer as a member of the Cameroon Junior National Team. He also started painting at the age of 3 and continues to paint primitive and colorful landscapes of his homeland. At the age of 15, he was offered a scholarship to move to the United States where he would complete his high school education and play soccer at T.C. Williams High School in Virginia. After graduating from high school, he attended Test Community College where he received a Certification in Electronics Engineering.  At this time, Mr. Nwalipenja started to develop a strong interest in health and human services, especially working with youth. In 2003, he secured a job as Director of Youth Programming at Journey Home, which is a community center located in Lower North Philadelphia. For four years, he conducted summer health camps and life skills programs for children and youth. He also started an arts entrepreneurship program for middle school students who were at risk for dropping out of school. He used his artistic skills to teach youth how to create products for a school gift shop. Through these experiences, Mr. Nwalipenja developed the knowledge, skills and desire to serve as a community organizer.
 
In January of 2008, the Federation of Neighborhood Centers hired him to serve as a full-time community organizer.
He now works with the Federation’s 11 community centers to enhance the capacity of their neighborhoods’ residents to engage in advocacy and social justice work. 
   
Fun Fact: Henry loves spending time with family, cooking, watching documentaries and children movies. He loves playing and coaching soccer. He loves to learn and read spiritual books. His favorite book is the bible. And most of all, he loves to mentor people of all ages and backgrounds.

Diversified Community Services
1920 South 20th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19145

Friends Neighborhood Guild
703 North 8th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19123

Grace United Methodist Church
7107 North 20th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19138

Legacy Christian Academy
6400 Haverford Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19151

The Lighthouse
152 West Lehigh Aveue
Philadelphia, PA 19133

Lutheran Settlement House
1340 Frankford Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19125

Methodist Services for
Children & Families
4300 Monument Road
Philadelphia, PA 19127

North Light Community Center
175-183 Green Lane
Philadelphia, PA 19127

Tomorrow's Promise Inc.
1528 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102

United Communities of
Southeast Philadelphia
2029 South 8th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19148

The Village of Arts and Humanities
2544 Germantown Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19133