Meet Stefan.
Originally from Germany, Stefan’s mom and step-dad wanted to create a better life for their family in the United States. After moving back and forth a few times over the years he eventually planted some roots in Tennessee when he was older and on his own. In 2002 he started his Bachelor's degree for Architecture but eventually got caught up in the wrong crowd. He didn’t finish his degree and found himself serving a 3 year sentence in prison. After his sentence Stefan wanted to get away and start over so he came to Sioux Falls because of some family connections. When he left Tennessee he didn’t have anything except the clothes on his back so he was starting at square one. He came to the Bishop Dudley House doors in mid-December of 2019. His first step was to get his paperwork in order, because he couldn’t get work without having at least 2 forms of ID. He started the process -- contacting Germany to get this birth certificate, Tennessee to get a new ID, Social Security to get a replacement card and Immigration offices for a replacement green card. Due to COVID-19 closing offices and causing major delays, as well as not having any money to pay for the replacement cards, it seemed like he was just running himself in circles. He was constantly searching for work, seeing if someone would be willing to hire him without two forms of ID.
Despite the challenges and frustrations he experienced for months, that is exactly what happened. He made a connection to a local restaurant who would be willing to hire him and get him his first paycheck so he could pay the fee for his new ID card, meaning he would have the proper ID to work! Hope was restored! He is so excited to finally get back to work and we see a complete change in his energy around the shelter. Stefan plans to stay in Sioux Falls to build a successful new life showing family and friends that he could turn away from the old him and be a better man. He wants to get an apartment here, finish his degree for Architecture and reconnect with his kids who are still down South.
He wants people to know that “no matter how bad it gets, you can’t give up, you have to keep pushing through, you’ll get to the other side”