St. Francis House guests help elderly woman move into her new home

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Guests at the St. Francis House had a busy Monday afternoon.

About 20 men, who are transitioning away from being homeless, rolled up their sleeves today to help one of their neighbors move into her new home.

But that’s only half the story.

It’s moving day for Sabina Stefani.

“It’s very overwhelming, Stefani said.

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Stefani has been busy packing up her belongings, but she doesn’t have to worry about moving thanks to guests and board members from the St. Francis House.

They’re doing the heavy lifting.

“The St. Francis House has always wanted to be about being a good neighbor in this area of town and this is a great way for us to continue that thought,” St. Francis House executive director Julie Becker said.

The St. Francis House recently bought Stefani’s home and two others in the neighborhood so it can expand sometime in the future.

“They paid for my house and that money paid for my new house so like in two weeks I found a house and bought it,” Stefani said.

The house isn’t going to be vacant for very long, because a family of four who are homeless will be moving in next week and they say it’s going to be life changing.

“We’re not going to be homeless anymore, the St. Francis House has helped us so much and to know going from homeless to having a house it’s a feeling I can’t explain,” Semaj Jones said.

Semaj Jones will pay rent to stay here for now, until they can save enough money to find their own place to call home.

“Yeah it feels real good, I can’t even explain it,” Jones said.

As for Stefani, she’s grateful for the help she’s getting today.

“Now I’ve got 30 years worth of stuff to pack up,” Stafani said. “It’s going to take me all winter to go through all those boxes, there’s going to be one big rummage sale.”

The St. Francis House owns two other houses in the neighborhood where they allow other people to stay as well.