When Their Service Ends, Our (or Their) Mission Begins: War causes wounds and suffering that last beyond the battlefield. Swords to Plowshares’ mission is to heal the wounds, to restore dignity, hope, and self-sufficiency to all veterans in need and to prevent and end homelessness and poverty among veterans.
Founded in 1974, Swords to Plowshares is a community-based not-for-profit organization that provides counseling and case management, employment and training, supportive housing, and legal assistance to more than 2,000 veterans in the San Francisco Bay Area each year.
With a long track record of success helping veterans to lead stable and healthy lives, Swords to Plowshares is nationally recognized for its expert leadership and continued dedication to improving the systems that our veterans rely on. Their model of care is based on the philosophy that the obstacles veterans face in their transition to the civilian world are interrelated and require an integrated network of support within the community.
Swords to Plowshares continues to have a tremendous impact on the community by meeting the comprehensive needs of both returning veterans and aging veterans of generations past.
The Frontline Drop-In Center is a unique one-stop resource that provides critical services to homeless and at-risk veterans.
Last year, 859 homeless and at-risk veterans sought help at the Drop-In Center
* 542 enrolled in counseling and case management services
* 129 received ongoing money management
Employment & Job Training Services help veterans overcome barriers to employment, access job training and connect with local employers.
Last year, 508 veterans were assessed for employment needs
* 397 enrolled in employment services
* 246 received job readiness training
* 151 enrolled in a job training program
* 172 were placed in jobs
Supportive Housing Programs & Services improve the health and quality of life for veterans with chronic conditions and disabilities and help to prevent homelessness for veterans and their families.
Last year, 917 veterans received housing assistance
* 206 were housed in one of Swords’ permanent housing sites
* 111 enrolled in Swords’ transitional housing program
* 253 received permanent housing placement assistance
* 106 were helped with eviction prevention
* 119 received emergency housing vouchers
Free Legal Services have widespread impact by helping veterans access the disability benefits and healthcare they rightfully earned and rely on to rebuild their lives. .
Last year, 452 disabled veterans received free legal services
* 397 received ongoing legal representation from an attorney
* Swords’ attorneys won over $13 million in disability benefits and healthcare for veterans
* 94% of all cases are won
* For every $1 spent, $26 is leveraged in direct benefits to veterans
Grant Recipient 2009, 2011, 2012, 2013
Discretionary Donation 2010, 2012, 2013
Photo Left to right: Reverend Norman Fong, Chinatown Community Development Center’s Executive Director; Mayor Edwin Lee; Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi; and Michael Blecker, Swords to Plowshares’ Executive Director at the grand opening of Veterans Commons, Swords to Plowshares second permanent supportive housing site for chronically homeless and disabled veterans.