This Man Lived On The Streets Without An Identity- Then Police Discovered This

Immigrant

John Helinski was born in Poland, before venturing to start a new life in the States. In 2012 after losing his job, he found himself alone and destitute, living on the streets. He had lost all identity records, which were confiscated. He had little to comfort him.

Tampa A Harsh Spot To Land In

Tampa is known by locals as a holiday oasis, boasting white sandy beaches and luxurious hotels. Helinski’s life was a far cry from those who basked in the sun on the coast. Without an ID, the immigrant had difficult finding a homeless shelter which would accept him. With no hope of refuge, he fended for himself on the streets.

Had To Fend For Himself

“I just managed on my own… I remember having a cardboard box, and sleeping by the bus stop,” he told an ABC news reporter. He shamefully admitted: “I’d be underneath the benches there, and no one would see me.” To the wider world beyond his makeshift home, Helinski was invisible.

Lost In The System

Without identification, there was little that could be done to help the aging man. He had fallen through the cracks of the system, seemingly destined to become one of the lost souls who struggle with their immigrant status. Helsinki had come to the land of opportunity but had soon found himself with little to live for.