From Private Investigator to Unhoused
Tony Stefanac’s life was once a tapestry woven with purpose, pride, and promise. In the early 2000s, he led a private security company in Vietnam, thriving in a role that gave him both professional fulfillment and a deep sense of stability. When the company offered him early retirement, he seized the opportunity to begin a new chapter—a chance to build a good life back in the United States with his wife and infant daughter. With ambition and hard work, Tony launched his own private investigation company, fueled by the desire to create a secure future for his family. For a time, it seemed everything was falling into place.
But as life so often does, it threw a wrench into Tony's plans. His family, once his greatest source of joy, began to unravel. His wife and daughter drifted away, leaving him shattered. The loss was overwhelming. The man who had once been full of direction and drive now found himself lost in grief. He sank into depression, the pain of the absence of his loved ones too much to bear. Unable to escape the weight of his sorrow, he turned to alcohol, seeking to numb the ache in his heart.
But there was one loss that haunted him more than all the rest—the absence of his daughter. As a private investigator, Tony had the tools, the skills, and the expertise to find people. Yet despite all his efforts, he couldn’t find her. His profession, once a source of pride, now felt like a cruel reminder of his failure. Each year without answers pushed him further into despair, deepening his sense of helplessness.
Tony’s once-thriving business failed, and he lost the home that had once been filled with the promise. He moved into an RV, then eventually found himself living in his car. What had once been a man with a clear purpose became someone questioning his worth, unsure of his place in the world. Yet, even in the midst of this crushing existence, a flicker of hope remained.
On September 9, 2023, Tony arrived at Coast House in Half Moon Bay, seeking shelter. He had lost almost everything—his family, his business, his home—but not his will to fight. He came to the non-congregate shelter seeking a roof over his head and a lifeline to help him reclaim what he had lost. For the first few months, the weight of his past still bore down on him. His car—his last possession of any value—was stolen, leaving him feeling utterly defeated. It seemed like every step forward was followed by two steps back.
For a long time, Tony’s journey at Coast House was an uphill battle. You’d often find him in the smoking area, his eyes clouded with sadness, his voice quiet but heavy as he said, “There’s no more hope left. I’ve tried everything, and nothing has changed.” It was as though the world had conspired to rob him of every chance, every dream.
But then, everything shifted. In July of the following year, WeHOPE resumed operations over Coast House, and with that change Tony was introduced to a new case manager and program director who saw something in him—a man who still had potential, who deserved a chance to mend. For the first time in a long time, Tony felt seen, not as a man who had lost his way, but as someone with the power to change his life. Slowly, the weight of hopelessness began to lift, replaced by the belief that a better future might be possible.
With the support of his new case manager, Stephanie, Tony started to rebuild. It wasn’t just about finding a place to live—it was about reclaiming his sense of self-worth, rediscovering the strength within himself, and beginning to dream again. The path wasn’t easy, but with every small victory, Tony’s confidence grew.
And then, after a year and seven months at WeHOPE at Coast House, the breakthrough arrived. On March 31, 2025, Tony spent his first night in a cozy studio apartment in South San Francisco. That evening, before he drifted off to sleep, he called his case manager to thank her for everything. In his words, "Thank you so much, Steph. I really like my place. It’s comfortable, quiet, and for the first time in so long, I have peace of mind. I can finally breathe. I’m starting a new chapter, a new adventure. Who knows what life has in store, but I’ll give it my best. I feel normal again."
Tony's journey from the heights of success to homelessness - and back again - shows what's possible when someone refuses to give up. Despite losing almost everything, he found his way forward with help from WeHOPE at Coast House. His story reminds us that setbacks, even devastating ones, don't have to be the end of the road. Tony's experience demonstrates how access to housing and support services can help someone rebuild their life, one step at a time.
Editorial note: This story and accompanying photo were graciously submitted by WeHOPE case manager, Stephanie Licudine.
