Swords to Plowshares

Seventeen groups nationwide, including Swords to Plowshares — which will receive $500,000 — have been awarded grants to train and find jobs for veterans.

Read the full story here

VA Secretary, Erik Shinseki, visited the Veterans Academy, our permanent supportive housing program for formerly homeless veterans, located on the former Army base in the Presidio. Shinseki met with Swords to Plowshares staff members and residents of the Veterans Academy to learn more about how the organization has been able to provide exits from homelessness to so many Bay Area veterans.

Swords to Plowshares has been working to promote the benefits of working with community based organizations to augment services at the Veterans Administration. Working with experienced community partners will be absolutely necessary for the VA to meet Secretary Shinseki’s goal of eliminating homelessness among veterans within five years. Organizations like Swords to Plowshares are able to provide an array of services to veterans, including those who may not qualify for VA benefits. Swords to Plowshares offers a continuum of care for all veterans including counseling and case management, employment and training, legal assistance and transitional and permanent supportive housing.

About the Veterans Academy

Opened in 2000, the Veterans Academy, which is one of three supportive housing sites owned and operated by Swords to Plowshares, quickly became a national model for providing permanent supportive housing to formerly homeless, disabled veterans. The Academy provides 102 formerly homeless veterans with safe, secure housing, two meals each day and access to on-site counseling, academic & vocational instruction, and an array of activities designed to promote community and healthy lifestyles.

We seek qualified applicants for the full-time position of Accounts Payable/Human Resources Assistant. The successful applicant will find resonance in the mission of Swords to Plowshares and will possess the skills to fulfill the following duties.

Essential Responsibilities include but may not be limited to:

• AP account reconciliations
• Processing vendor invoices
• Filing, maintaining files
• Data entry: for the HRIS, excel sheets, online group insurance provider records
• Collect and maintain diversity and census reports
• Enrollments, cancellations, changes, terminations for group insurance plans
• Reconcile group insurance invoices
• Employee must be able to perform essential job functions within what would be considered reasonable accommodation

Requirements include:

• Undergraduate degree in accounting. Experience can substitute for degree.
• Minimum 2 years experience in Accounts Payable and/or Human Resources
• Proven ability to process a high volume of work with a high degree of accuracy.
  Good communication skills; customer service oriented.
• Ability to be a team player
• Strong organizational skills
• Attention to detail
• Ability to sit for long periods
• Computer literacy:

v Excel (essential)

v Outlook (essential)

v Quickbooks (a big plus)

v Paychex HRIS (a plus)

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO APPLY

Please email your cover letter and resume to: jbeem@stp-sf.org

No calls please.

Swords to Plowshares hosted a Memorial Day Community Art Project in Justin Herman Plaza.  Scroll down the page to see pictures, news clips and learn more about the guest artist.

Read an article in the San Francisco Chronicle

Artist, Angela Knowles with young participant

Randy Shandobil at KTVU Channel 2 spoke with Walter Williams and Michael Blecker at Swords to Plowshares about the stresses of combat.

Watch the story here

Kelly Kennedy of Military Times spoke with members of the Coaltion for Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans at the Coalition’s second annual conference in Washington, DC last week.

Read the full story here

Join Swords to Plowshares and Disability Rights Advocates for a Memorial Day bluegrass concert to benefit veteran healthcare.

We are seeking qualified applicants for the position of Employment Services Specialist II. The successful applicant will find resonance in the mission of Swords to Plowshares. The Employment Services Specialist functions as an integral part of the Employment & Training team.

The expansion of Employment & Training Services in Oakland allows Swords to Plowshares the capacity to reach a broader population of veterans across the Bay and creates the need for linkages and relationships with the continuum of care providers in Contra Costa, Alameda, and Solano County. As an advocate for veterans rights, Swords to Plowshares will develop a set of recommendations to provide guidance to organizations less familiar with the specific needs of our veteran population. The outreach component to this project will also support the development of awareness and cross-cultural competency in the veteran community.

Summary: The Employment Specialist II works closely with the Case Management team and Program Manager preparing clients for employment, securing employment opportunities for program participants and developing business and employer contacts. 

Essential Job Responsibilities include but may not be limited to:

• Employer Networks: Develop employer contacts with private and public sectors to ascertain employer needs and to advise of agency’s employment services.  Perform job searches via the Internet.
• Pre-Employment Services: Assist clients with pre-employment activities: One-stop Computer Access Point, resume writing, interviewing skills, job search activities (both on-line and in person), job coaching, presentation and job retention. Provide assistance to client with purchase of proper interview attire, shoes, books and other job related items.  Provide guidance to client in areas of personal presentation.
• Job Placement: Assess and evaluate job applicants to determine appropriate job interest and job match. Match client skills, aptitude and abilities to prospective employment openings and make referrals to secure job placement.

• Post-Placement Services: Maintain contact with employer and client following placement to ensure job stability. Collect employment verification letters and pay stubs as proof of client job placement. Perform necessary post-placement and post-exit follow-up to ensure participant job retention longevity.
• Contract Management: Prepare paperwork for submission to the proper agency and MIS Administrator. Maintain up-to-date client file content for accuracy and completeness.  Regularly review for timeliness. Prepare reports and statistical data as needed for submission.

• Outreach/Community Relations: Assist with outreach activities as assigned to recruit potential eligible clients through periodic out stationing at EDD/One-Stop locations. Attend Job Fairs and Meetings as delegated by Director.
• Perform any other employment related task as identified and delegated by Program Manager.
• Must be able to perform all essential functions as described within what would be considered reasonable accommodation.

Requirements include:

·         BA in any Behavioral Science; (Social Work, Sociology, Psychology) or Human Resources, or an equivalent combination of college course work and experience

·         Minimum of two (2) years experience providing job counseling and job development to disadvantaged, hard-to-serve populations; particularly the employment readjustment of military veterans

·         Demonstrated skills in public relations, personnel recruitment, or a closely related field.  Knowledge of Internet and web resources for online job search. 

·         Excellent organizational and time management skills, detail-oriented

·         Flexibility and willingness to perform multiple jobs in a work environment with changing priorities; Ability to meet multiple deadlines while maintaining a professional composure

·         Proactively take initiative in problem solving

·         Ability to work independently and as part of a team

·         Ability to interact well with people from diverse economic, ethnic and educational backgrounds; Ability to follow through reliably on assigned tasks

·         Excellent written and oral communication skills 

·         Fluent in MS Office Suite and associated software and Internet search tools

Working Conditions

Position requires prolonged sitting and repetitive hand movement using a computer keyboard in the performance of daily office activities. 

Compensaton: Swords to Plowshares offers generous benefits including medical and dental insurance, vacation, and retirement after a brief tenure.

Please forward your resume and cover letter to kcrawford@stp-sf.org.

No phone calls please.

Colleen Corliss, Swords Communications Manager, talks with John Rothmann about the services available at Swords to Plowshares. The interview took place on Sunday April 26th at 5 am.

Listen to the interview here.

Amy Fairweather and Amy Stinson of the Iraq and Afghanistan Coalition talk with Peter Laufer about veterans, mental health services and the needs of this generation of service members.

Listen here

RESPONSIBILITIES
• Maintain an educational environment that is motivational, inspiring and specific to the identified needs of the residents.
• Work closely with the Director of Education and Program Counselors providing feedback regarding attendance, classroom participation, behavioral and mental health issues, and skills development progress.
• Track and report on student enrollment, attendance and progress.
• Maintain the computer classroom LAN environment, working with technical support to insure that the computers and equipment are in working order.
• Perform other related duties and responsibilities as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS

• Expertise in MS Office.

• Working knowledge of Local Area Network (LAN) computer classroom for mostly beginning computer training.

ABC’s Vic Lee interviewed three veterans who sought employment assistance at the Swords to Plowshares Job Fair in September.  It has been six months since the job fair and Vic Lee  checked in with the three veterans to see how they are doing.

Watch the story here

Scott Shafer reports on the sixth anniversary of the Iraq War and an event that marked the anniversary in a different way.  The event, SHOUT! Art by Women Veterans recognized women veterans through art.

Listen to the story here

Secretary of Labor, Hilda Solis, visits Swords to Plowshares on an information gathering mission of best practices in veteran service organizations.

Click here to watch ABC News’ report on new Labor Secretary Solis’s visit to Swords to Plowshares job training programs.

March 18, 2009: KPFA The Morning Show


Kayla Williams, Iraq veteran, author of I Love My Rifle More Than You: Young and Female in the U.S. Army, and friend of Swords to Plowshares, along with Swords to Plowshares’ Women Veterans Coordinator Tia Christopher discuss the SHOUT! Art by Women Veterans event, the unique issues facing women veterans as well as their own personal experience serving in the U.S. Military.

Note: The women veterans discussion begins at the 1 hour:35 min:40 sec mark.

SHOUT! Art by Women Veterans

Swords to Plowshares is hosting a free art show and reception to honor women veterans.  More than a dozen women veteran artists are contributing their artwork to display at the event.  The event, SHOUT! Art by Women Veterans, will take place on March 18th and is open to anyone who would like to attend.

Please RSVP to Olivia Colt by March 11, 2009 at ocolt@stp-sf.org.  See the invitation for the event details.

Housing is Healthcare

By Leon Winston
Chief Operating Officer, Swords to Plowshares

Many people view homelessness as a nuisance issue, with blame being placed on the poor and their behavioral issues rather than on society and the lack of truly affordable housing and adequate and available services. Providers have had some success with those in power by demonstrating the financial savings that communities experience by housing chronically homeless persons rather than leaving them on the streets and in shelters. Those identified savings generally come from reductions in emergency room visits, psychiatric in-patient stays, police/criminal justice involvement, and public works costs.

Reframing homelessness as a healthcare issue can serve to bolster the argument for supporting greater housing resources as a cost saving measure, as well as to demonstrate with urgency the role creating sufficient appropriate housing has in saving lives.

San Francisco, through the Department of Public Health, was one of the first cities in the nation to recognize that having adequate housing isn’t just a desirable state of affairs for individuals and the City, but rather that providing adequate housing to homeless persons is actually a healthcare intervention. This was the genesis of the City’s Direct Access to Housing (DAH) program that focuses on moving health-compromised individuals from the streets and shelters to supportive housing with attached medical and case management services. Increasingly, this is becoming an issue for many of the veterans that we serve.

Multiple studies have recently been cited to validate this argument and approach:

A recent SFGH/VA study on Aging, Health & Homelessness shows that the homeless population in San Francisco is aging. We have certainly seen this taking place with the veterans that we serve, the majority of whom are still Vietnam era vets. Dr. Margot Kushel of San Francisco General Hospital cites data showing:

· The median age of homeless persons in 1990 was 37. As of 2007 the median age for homeless individuals was 46.

· In 1990 11.2% of homeless were 50+ years of age, jumping to 32.3% in 2003 and is approaching 36% in 2008.

Studying medical/surgical admissions to the VA hospital, the study finds that the aging homeless veterans develop chronic diseases 10 – 15 years earlier than do housed individuals. This data shows that, as providers, we must plan on serving an increasingly frail population with accompanying geriatric illnesses, and anticipate an increased need for hospice and other end of life care.

Studies conducted by AIDS researchers and the National AIDS Housing Coalition (NAHC) have shown some pretty alarming aspects to HIV & homelessness, including findings that show:

· 10-16% of HIV+ persons are homeless.

· Homeless individuals become infected with HIV at rates 3-16 times higher than do housed individuals with similar characteristics.

These findings vary by location, but even at the low end of the scales they are alarming. Once housed, homeless individuals have much lower HIV transmission levels, and those who are HIV+ have much better access to care, adherence to treatment protocols, and improved outcomes such as viral suppression.

Several studies of the chronically homeless population have already shown, without exception, that it is more cost effective to society for chronically homeless persons to be housed in permanent housing with support services, such as our Veterans Academy and anticipated Veterans Commons (150 Otis St), than it is to keep them on the streets or even in shelters. These studies have not yet taken into account fully these health findings cited above, however, as they have focused on reduced emergency room and psychiatric inpatient visits but not costs associate the issues of disease prevention and health maintenance when determining public health costs. The AIDS community has looked at these significant costs, however, and now the public health community is doing the same.

In New York City, researchers and service providers have demonstrated that it’s possible to provide housing to the chronically ill, plus in-home visits from a multidisciplinary team of doctors, social workers and nurses for TEN THOUSAND DOLLARS LESS than the cost of a cot in a homeless shelter. The study by the NAHC, cited above, has shown that AIDS housing programs dramatically reduce high-risk sex and drug using behaviors — and that taxpayers get at least $221,000 in savings for each HIV infection that’s prevented. Another study showed at least $10,000 in savings for each homeless person with HIV/AIDS that’s moved off the streets, out of the shelters and into supportive housing.

Our most recent strategic plan calls on us to adapt to the changes in the veteran population that we serve; to meet the needs of younger OEF/OIF veterans AND to address the changing needs of aging veterans.

We will be looking at improved methods of determining the vulnerability of the aging and ill veterans that we serve, hoping to prioritize limited housing resources for the most vulnerable. Common Ground, a group from New York, has expressed keen interest in working with us to utilize their Vulnerability Index, a tool that they have developed for this purpose, and which is being used successfully by several cities and communities across the country in getting the most vulnerable individuals housed. Targeting limited resources in this manner sure seems like the right thing to do.

One thing is clear as day: providing housing resources ourselves, and achieving “veterans fair share” of other housing that comes through referral sources, will continue to be a cornerstone in our ability to meet our mission.

—

Click Image to Enlarge

NBC Bay Area covering Swords to Plowshares’ volunteer event marking Martin Luther King Jr.’s Day of Service. Volunteers from throughout the bay area spent the day painting and renewing an apartment for formally homeless female veterans at our transitional housing facility on Treasure Island. We send our deepest thanks to all who participated.

The San Francisco Chronicle also covered the event.
San Francisco Chronicle: Thousands serve on Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Monday’s events marked a transition from the era of big marches on the holiday to a budding movement that is more about rolling up one’s sleeves and getting to work.

On Treasure Island, Lisa Rosenthal and her daughter Emily were among 15 volunteers painting and refurbishing an apartment for several formerly homeless female veterans. They were recruited by the group Swords to Plowshares, which advertised the event through an Obama campaign Web site.

“Obama did a great job in the campaign inspiring people on a grassroots level,” said Rosenthal, 57, a Web site editor from Burlingame. “There’s a hunger to want to continue serving our community.”

Mary Rivera, 49, who served eight years as an electrician in the U.S. Navy and now lives in transitional housing on Treasure Island, was touched by the volunteers in her living room.

“I’m really happy they’re here,” she said. “They could’ve been somewhere else, because it’s a holiday, but they’re trying to help veterans.” Read On…

Micheal Blecker’s, Swords to Plowshares’ Executive Director, letter to President-elect Obama.

InsideBayArea.com: Michael Blecker - Dear Mr. President-elect: This is what veterans need

Dear Mr. President-elect,

Our nation’s military and veterans call on you to welcome them home in deed as well as word. More than 1.8 million U.S. forces have been deployed in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. A stunning 35 percent of returning combat veterans struggle with post traumatic stress, mental health issues and traumatic brain injury and they need the true welcome home of our country: support and services.

We ask that you join us in supporting reforms in military and veterans’ services to assist in their transition from combat to community. As a veteran advocate, I look forward to seeing the changes retired Army Gen. Eric Shinseki plans to make and applaud you for nominating a fellow veteran advocate as the Veterans Affairs secretary.

Housing: VA estimates some 200,000 veterans are homeless each year. The Department of Veterans Affairs homeless services are a wonderful resource for these veterans but the VA funds only 10,000 beds nationwide. California alone has 50,000 homeless veterans and just 2,000 VA funded beds. Further, the per diem payment for supportive transitional housing is a maximum of 34 dollars per night.

We ask the new administration to increase the number of supportive housing beds and change the payment to a cost-based formula which reflects the actual cost of providing beds, meals, counseling and support.

Employment: Our returning veterans face unique obstacles to employment especially in this difficult job market. Repeated deployments have interrupted Guard and Reserve careers and the cracks in the job protection law do not adequately protect returning forces.

We ask the new administration to enforce job protections for Guard and Reserve, provide protections for self-employed Guard and Reserve, and enforce veteran preferences in federal contracts.

Mental health: There is an epidemic of suicide occurring within our armed forces and veterans — 1,000 each year. Unfortunately as veteran advocates, we sometimes learn of multiple suicides where veterans suffering with crushing Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), grief, loss, and survivor guilt take their life.

We ask the new administration to ensure that all combat veterans receive a face-to-face debriefing with professional mental health staff and that those who seek mental health services from their local VA receive an appointment immediately if they are in crisis.

Discharge status: Service members suffering with PTSD and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) often receive bad-conduct discharges based on behavior sparked by their injuries. These veterans are then denied access to benefits. Further, the military pressures veterans into accepting “personality disorder” discharges in order to keep PTSD numbers low, classifying their case as a pre-existing condition.

We ask the new administration to require an outside psychological and TBI screening for all service members facing early discharge based on conduct or diminished performance or alleged “personality disorder.”

Traumatic Brain Injury: TBI is a prominent injury in the war on terror due to roadside bombs and mortar attacks. Mild to moderate TBI can go undiagnosed and result in diminished capacity, irritability, depression, and erratic behavior putting these veterans at heightened risk of homelessness, substance abuse and contact with the criminal justice system.

We ask the new administration to screen all veterans of all eras for TBI as a routine part of VA health care, create a registry of TBI for long-term surveillance and study, and establish a presumption of eligibility for VA benefits and ongoing supportive services.

In these ways we can end the cycle of poverty, mental illness, substance abuse, homelessness and suicide among our veterans. It is the least we owe to them.

Sincerely,
Michael Blecker

Iraq Veteran Project Policy Associate Ernesto Estrada and Aaron Glantz, author of The War Comes Home: Washington’s Battle against America’s Veterans , discuss the confirmation hearing for Gen. Shinsek, the new incoming secretary of the Department of Veterans’ Affairs, and the issues our veterans face when they come home. This originally aired on KPFA’s The Morning Show with Amy Allison on January 14, 2009.


Note: The veterans discussion begins at the 1 hour:10 min:22 sec mark.

This article by Donna Kimura appears in the January 2009 issue of Affordable Housing Finance. In it Kimura highlights the housing issues veteran of all generations face after exiting the military. Kimura interviews veterans and veterans organization set-up to provide housing for homeless veterans, including Swords to Plowshares. Below are a few excepts from this excellent article, and we encourage everyone to read it in its entirety.

Affordable Housing Finance: An Army of Homeless

Jonathan Parker served in the Air Force for four years, working in aircraft maintenance and holding the rank of sergeant. He recently lost his apartment and had run out of options. After being diagnosed as bipolar, the 47-year-old is getting treatment and putting his life back together at a new development for veterans in Bedford, Mass.

Count them among the nation’s army of recently homeless men and women, a population overrepresented by vets. There’s about a one-in-four chance that the homeless man you pass on the street served in the military. Those are striking odds considering that vets make up only about 11 percent of the adult civilian population.

The number of veterans on the streets is already high, but there are growing fears it will increase as soldiers return from Iraq and Afghanistan.

“We’re seeing more of them,” says Michael Blecker, a Vietnam veteran and executive director of Swords to Plowshares in San Francisco, one of the nation’s premier organizations providing housing and social services to veterans. The group houses approximately 200 people at a given time in its transitional and permanent housing units, including a handful of formerly homeless Iraq and Afghanistan vets.

It often takes time for issues to surface because when vets return home they are still young and have connections to their communities. According to reports, it took an average of nine years postdeployment for Vietnam vets to fall into homelessness. There’s concern that it’s happening much sooner for the recent vets, says Blecker

There are several reasons why veterans are overrepresented among the homeless. For many, there are health issues, including posttraumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injuries, or substanceabuse problems, says Cheryl Beversdorf, a former Army nurse and president and CEO of the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans.

There are also economic issues. A study prepared for the VA [PDF link] found that 18 percent of “recently separated servicemembers” are unemployed. In comparison, the national jobless rate was 6.5 percent in October 2008. A quarter of the vets that did find work weren’t earning enough to live on, making less than $21,840 a year

There’s also the overall lack of affordable housing. There’s a shortfall of about 6 million affordable units in the country, meaning there are only 38 affordable and available units for every 100 extremely low-income households.

On the street, the need feels as great as ever. “There’s no decline in demand,” Blecker says. “I think demand is ratcheting up from people barely hanging on.”

In response, Swords to Plowshares has begun plans to develop about 90 more units of housing for vets in San Francisco in cooperation with Chinatown Community Development Center, a local nonprofit organization.

Another issue of growing concern for Swords to Plowshares and other organizations is the number of female veterans in need of assistance. The number of those who are homeless is estimated to be about 7,000.

“Women are being deployed at much higher rates than ever before,” says Blecker. Read On…

OneWorld.net: Homeless Veterans Get Holiday Help

The line of veterans seeking free food and clothing reached all the way around the corner, more than 200 strong. Some wore their old military IDs around their neck, others carried red, white, and blue identification cards from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Some had lived homeless on the streets for years. Others were seeking help for the first time in decades, after being laid off during the United States’ increasingly deep recession.

Each waited for a chance to enter the Ark of Refuge mission South of Market in San Francisco, where the veterans services organization Swords to Plowshares was giving out care packages that included a backpack stocked with a hat, rain poncho, windbreaker, flashlight, socks, underwear, ski gloves, towels, and toiletries.

Read full story

Statement from the artist:

(This) is a greeting I created for the troops in Iraq and Afganistan, and for those who’ve made it home. It is aside from politics and argument. It was inspired through respect and concern. Many years ago I wrote, ” My country tis of thee was a cold blue yonder, out of range and out of hearing…”

The concept behind the greeting was; a friend of a friend of a friend has someone dear in the sandbox. Adopt and forward at will, if you wish, or someone in your lobby may appreciate the sentiment. The greeting has gone far and wide, and is gaining speed. It has arrived in Afganistan, to a woman in the air force. Please keep its origin private.

Click the image to download the full-size version (2mb).

In the middle of December San Francisco’s homeless veterans are not forgotten, thanks to the generous efforts of two brothers Jimmy Lyons and Richie Scardino and their friends and family in collaboration with Swords to Plowshares, a non profit veterans organization here in San Francisco.  Read Full Story

ABC7: Program helps unemployed veterans find jobs
Click here for direct link to video.

There is new hope for a number of homeless and unemployed veterans. They’re getting a brand new start in life, thanks to a program run by veterans. Swords to Plowshares is a program that has been around for 34 years.

“I’m going to die either drunk, addicted, in the street right? And today it’s a whole different ball game,” said Larry Bisakowitz.

Hilo Halo also joined the program about two years ago and today, he attends San Francisco City College. Still, Halo says recovery has been tough.

“I was out of a job, didn’t have a place to stay and place to live. Lost it all,” said Halo.

EarthTimes.org: Formerly Homeless Veterans to Graduate November 20th

Michael Blecker, Swords to Plowshares Executive Director, will be joined by staff, friends and family of graduates to honor the accomplishments of these veterans. “I am pleased to see another group of veterans graduate from the program with the dignity and confidence they need to finally break the cycle of homelessness,” Blecker said.

The graduates of the program, all formerly homeless or chronically homeless veterans, have spent an average of sixteen months overcoming addictions, mental health issues and other serious obstacles. The Transitional Housing Program graduates have acquired the skills and resources needed to secure housing, seek employment and improve the quality of their lives. Of the graduates, five are pursuing higher education, four are working full-time and one graduate has already completed his Certified Nursing Assistant degree. Swords to Plowshares is also helping all graduates transition into permanent or privatized housing.

Crosscurrents: Homeless Veterans

[On Veterans' Day] we honor the men and women who have served the nation in the military. And there are more veterans every day each month more than 2000 soldiers return to California from Iraq and Afghanistan. Many are finding it difficult to adjust to civilian life. Reporter Anna Sussman reports now on a disturbing trend of homelessness among these new veterans.

Please follow this link for audio.

KQED’s Forum w/ Micheal Krasny: Female Soldiers
Tue, Nov 11, 2008 — 9:00 AM
Female Soldiers

Officially, the Pentagon bars female soldiers from direct combat duty. But in Iraq, women have found themselves in the line of fire more than ever before. On Veterans Day, we talk with some female soldiers about their experiences.
Host: Michael Krasny
Guests:
• Linsay A. Rousseau Burnett, former sergeant in the U.S. Army
• Meg McLagan, filmmaker behind “Lioness,” a film about the experiences of female soldiers in Iraq
• Ranie Ruthig, former staff sergeant in the U.S. Army
• Tia Christopher, women’s veteran coordinator for Swords to Plowshares

*Click here for direct link to audio.

Board of Directors Openings
Swords to Plowshares is currently accepting applications for election to its Board of Directors. Directors normally serve three-year terms beginning on January 1; however, to evenly distribute the expiration dates of Directors’ terms, some Directors whose terms begin January 1, 2009, may be elected for shorter terms.

The members of the Board of Directors of this nonprofit corporation are expected to represent the interests of clients, donors and the public in ensuring that the organization’s resources are used effectively and efficiently to carry out its missions of providing housing, job training, counseling and legal assistance to homeless and low-income veterans in the San Francisco Bay Area and advocating for veterans’ rights at local, state and federal levels. All Directors are expected to actively participate in activities of the full Board and one or more Board committees, including attending at least two-thirds of (a) the full Board meetings each year (approximately seven meetings, including the annual Veterans Day Dinner), and (b) meetings of committees to which the Director is assigned. In addition, each Director is expected to participate in fundraising and to make a significant personal contribution, to act as an ambassador of the organization and its clients, to volunteer his or her time and expertise, and to lend his or her name and reputation to enhance the credibility of the organization.

Candidates must demonstrate integrity, a commitment to veterans’ issues and the ability to work well with other Directors, staff and volunteers. Experience in nonprofit governance, fundraising and/or finance is highly desirable. Women, minorities and veterans - especially veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts - are particularly encouraged to apply. Applicants must submit a curriculum vitae and a statement of qualifications to Ms. Judy Kridle, c/o Swords to Plowshares, 1060 Howard Street, San Francisco, CA 94103, not later than November 15, 2008. Directors for terms beginning January 1, 2009, will be elected at a meeting of the Board of Directors to be held on December 2, 2008. Candidates may be asked to interview with one or more current Directors before that date and/or to be present at that meeting.
For additional information, please contact Mary Beth Brown at (415)252-4788.

On Tuesday, September 9, 2008 Swords to Plowshares will host our first annual veterans’ job fair for recently separated Iraq and Afghanistan, Global War on Terror, Gulf, and Vietnam veterans seeking employment. The Employment and Training department at Swords to Plowshares works matches employers with veterans seeking employment. This job fair can be an important step for veterans in facilitating the transition from military to civilian life—from unemployment to the work force—easier for the men and women who have served our country so valiantly.

Join us in the Green Room of the San Francisco War Memorial from 10 am- 2 pm to meet and greet veterans and employers from all over the San Francisco Bay Area. Click here for more information about the event, for both veterans seeking employment, and employers who want to participate.

Amy Fairweather and Mai-Ling Garcia of Swords to Plowshares IVP now have authored a course on OIF/OIF veterans issues and resources for the National Association of Social Workers. This primer on new veteran issues and resources will earn social workers three Continuing Education Units.

Clinical Social Workers, learn about veterans needs, earn Continuing Education credits and support Swords. Earn 3 CE credits accepted in 34 states! We invite you to take the course “Defining a New Age of Veteran Care: A Primer for Understanding Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans.” And let us know what you think.

Join Neil Young, Swords Advisory Board Member and veteran Mike Cerre and a special guest Gold Star Mom for the San Francisco premier of CSNY: Déjà Vu. This movie documents Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young’s most recent concert tour. The San Francisco Film Society along with Swords to Plowshares will benefit from this special showing on Thursday, July 17 at 7:00pm at the Sundance Kabuki Theater here in San Francisco. Following the movie there will be a question and answer period with Neil Young, Mike Cerre and the Gold Star Mom. Tickets are $20 for Film Centre members and $25 for general admission. It will be shown at the Sundance Kabuki Theater. Check out their website for directions and details.

Some images from the film:

PBS will unite our nation in honor of all of America’s men and women in uniform for their service and sacrifice with this annual presentation. The event will be led for the third year by co-hosts Gary Sinise (“CSI: NY”) and Tony Award-winner Joe Mantegna (“Criminal Minds”), two acclaimed actors who have dedicated themselves to veterans’ causes and supporting our troops in active service.

This year, the event will pay special tribute to the veterans of World War II, Korea and Vietnam and the sacred war memorials built in their honor in Washington, DC. Actor and decorated World War II veteran Charles Durning, a longtime participant in the NATIONAL MEMORIAL DAY CONCERT, will also be recognized for his bravery and sacrifice as part of the “greatest generation,” who stepped forward in a time of need. The valor of the country’s newest veterans will be honored through an examination of the bonds that buddies form on the battlefields of Afghanistan.

The television event will feature a mix of dramatic readings, documentary footage and live musical performances, along with an all-star line-up of dignitaries, actors and musical artists. This includes music legend Gladys Knight, classical crossover soprano and star of the stage Sarah Brightman, Best Actress Tony Award-winner Idina Menzel (Wicked , Rent ), actor and comedian Denis Leary (Rescue Me ), country music star Rodney Atkins, actor and singer John Schneider, actress Gail O’Grady, film and television actress Caitlin Wachs, General Colin L. Powell, USA (Ret.) and Charles Durning, the quintessential character actor and recipient of the 2007 Screen Actors Guild Life Achievement Award. The National Symphony Orchestra will be performing under the direction of top pops conductor Erich Kunzel. The event is broadcast live from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, DC, before an on-site audience of hundreds of thousands and is viewed by millions more at home. It can also be seen overseas by U.S. military personnel in more than 175 countries and aboard more than 200 U.S. Navy ships at sea on American Forces Radio and Television Network.

Please visit the PBS website for more information.

Wed, Mar 19, 2008 — 9:00 AM
Iraq - The Five Year Anniversary

The war in Iraq began five years ago today. We mark the milestone by speaking with some of those greatly affected.
Host: Michael Krasny

Guests:
Carl Treseder, father of Sgt. Will Treseder who is serving with the 1st Marine Expeditionary Unit in Fallujah

Walter LaJuane Williams, a case manager for Swords to Plowshares in San Francisco who was deployed for a year as a specialist in the army in Iraq, Afghanistan and Kuwait

.mp3 of the audio stream

Read more about the interview

An article from Truthout.org featuring Kevin Bartolata tells the story of how he, a highly trained hospital corpsman, ended up homeless on the cold streets of San Francisco not too long after being discharged from the U.S. Navy.

Around July 2004, Bartolata was diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), an anxiety ailment common to military veterans that can manifest in different ways. Bartolata’s condition resulted in insomnia and depression.

While using his cousin’s computer to browse the internet in search of a job, a classified ad posted on Craigslist.org caught Bartolata’s attention. The Veterans Administration (VA) was seeking veterans with PTSD for a research experiment. Bartolata had been participating in medical trials to earn money for sometime. He was qualified for the study, and began what would turn out to be a life-changing enterprise….

The sixteen-week sessions, combined with the support of VA staff members, helped to get Bartolata back on track. The VA put him in touch with a veterans assistance organization called Swords to Plowshares, a leading provider of emergency housing, job training, legal assistance and case management for veterans.

Swords to Plowshares got him off the street for one month by housing him in a residence hotel. Bartolata jumped at the opportunity and set out to find a job. He got a haircut, put on slacks, a tie and his Navy pea coat, and started lining up interviews.

Services will not be provided on this day for:

Westside Crisis Clinic
Westside Outpatient Clinic
Westside Assertive Community Treatment Program

Program services will resume Monday, March 3, 2008 at 9:00 am in their new facility located at
245 11th Street
San Francisco, CA 94103

As of Feb 20th, their website doesn’t have information about their move, but feel free to visit their website to get contact info to get more information.

2/12/2008 - Continuing his commitment to California’s brave servicemen and women, Governor Schwarzenegger today announced more than $6 million in grants to help military veterans as they return to the civilian workforce. The Governor made the announcement in Los Angeles at Managed
Career Solutions, Inc. which will receive $500,000 in grant funds to assist 300 county residents obtain and retain well-paid jobs in high-growth industries. The $6 million in Workforce Investment Act (WIA) funds will help more than 1,500 newly discharged veterans find jobs. Additionally, the 12
agencies and organizations across California receiving the grants have committed matching funds of almost $4 million to further expand their job training programs, for a total investment of nearly $10 million.

These funds will help our veterans get jobs in high-growth industries and ease their transition back to civilian life. A recent U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs study found that 18 percent of the veterans who sought jobs within one to three years of discharge were unemployed, while one out of four who did find jobs earned less than $21,840 a year. The Governor believes this is unacceptable and that our veterans deserve better. So, California is taking action.

- The $6 million in grants will focus on identifying military transferable skills and determining career paths to industries that offer livable wages, benefits and career advancement opportunities.

- Veterans can expect to receive a variety of training in high-growth fields such as health care, emergency medical technology, construction, security, law enforcement and computer services.

- The grants will also be used to target those veterans with service-connected disabilities or other significant barriers to employment.

- The projects funded will also provide supportive services, placement, and follow-up through a case management approach and these programs are expected to run through December 2009.

The 12 agencies and organizations across California receiving these grants include:

Able-Disabled Advocacy, Inc. (San Diego): $500,000
Fresno County Fresno $500,000
Imperial Valley Regional Occupation (Imperial): $500,000
Lutheran Social Services (Los Angeles): $500,000
Managed Career Solutions, Inc. (Los Angeles): $500,000
Northern Santa Clara Valley Job Training Consortium (Santa Clara): $500,000
Orange County (Orange County): $500,000
San Diego Imperial Counties Labor Council Training (San Diego): $500,000
SELACO Workforce Investment Board (Los Angeles): $500,000
State Center Community College District (Fresno): $500,000
Swords to Plowshares (San Francisco): $500,000
Vietnam Veterans of San Diego (San Diego): $500,000

See full article and video:
Governor Announces $6 Million in Grants to Help California’s Veterans Find New Jobs

On Wednesday, February 13th, two Swords to Plowshares’ clients along with, Shannon Kissinger, Ernesto Estrada, Mai-Ling Garcia, Brian Bigon, Scott Kehler, Walter Williams and Michael Blecker traveled to Sacramento to participate in the California Assembly Hearing on Veterans Issues.

The hearing lasted 6 hours as members of the Assembly listened to testimony concerning the increased needs of veterans in California, particularly those that are confronting mental health issues, unemployment, or housing instability and maximizing resources for those veterans in need. Michael Blecker, Mai-Ling Garcia and Walter Williams testified to a nearly filled room. California has the highest number of U.S. veterans and it is hoped that the hearing will be the first step to solving critical problems such as homelessness, unemployment and post traumatic stress and provide support for the State’s veterans.

Below is the latest on free resources for anyone seeking free tax help. Many thanks to Vanessa in our Legal department for her research and preparation of the list.

St. Mary’s Senior Services
450 Stanyan Street, San Francisco
415.750.8500, Receptionist
By Appointment Only: M, F, Sa, & Su: 9 am – 130 pm
Closed on President’s Day.

Employment Development Department
801 Turk Street, San Francisco
415.587.9080, John Eller
By Appointment Only: Tu and Th: 11 am – 2 pm

Southeast Career Center
1800 Oakdale Avenue, San Francisco
415.587.9080, Daisy Buel
Tu and Th: 130 – 430 pm

Stonestown YMCA
3150 20th Avenue, San Francisco
415.242.7135, Receptionist
By Appointment Only: Tu, W, Th: 12 – 4 pm

San Francisco State University
1600 Holloway Avenue HSS 127, San Francisco
415.338.9459, Accounting Lab
Walk-ins and Appointments: Su – Sa: 1 – 7 pm

Northeast Community FCU-Chinatown
1042 Grant Street, 6th Floor, San Francisco
415.434.0738, Lily Lo
Please call for hours of operation.

San Francisco Evangelical Free Church
756 Union Street, San Francisco
415.391.0699, Arthur Ng
Please call for hours of operation.
Closed on February 17, 2008.

Asian Pacific American Community Center
2442 Bayshore Blvd., San Francisco
415.587.2689, Susan Wong
Please call for hours of operation.

Employment Information Center
170 Otis Street, San Francisco
415.587.9080, John Eller
Walk-ins and Appointments: M, W, F, Sa & Su: 230 – 630 pm
Closed on President’s Day.

Chinese Newcomers Service Center
777 Stockton Street #108, San Francisco
415.421.2111, Alex Ng
Please call for hours of operation.

Aquatic Park Senior Center
890 Beach Street, San Francisco
415.775.1866, Gloria Garcia
By Appointment Only: Tu: 930 am – 130 pm

Homeless Prenatal Program
2500 18th Street, San Francisco
415.546.6756 x 319, Carol Brennan
M, F, Sa & Su: 4 – 8 pm
W: 1 – 5 pm

Career Link
3120 Mission Street, San Francisco
415.587.9080, John Eller
By Appointment Only: M, Th, F, Sa & Su: 3 – 7 pm
Closed February 19, 2008

The Womens Building VITA Site
3543 18th Street, San Francisco
415.431.1180, Celina Chico
Th: 530 – 8 pm

ACORN-Excelsior
5319 Mission Street, San Francisco
415.587.9080, John Eller
By Appointment Only: Su – Sa: 12 – 8 pm

Burton High School, Academy of Business and Finance
400 Mansell Street, Room 228, San Francisco
415.469.4550 x100, Doug Singer
By Appointment Only: Tu & Th: 4 – 7 pm

Northeast Community FCU—Tenderloin
288 Jones Street, San Francisco
415.434.0738, Lily Lo
Walk-ins and Appointments: Tu & Th: 12 – 3 pm

Federal Building
450 Golden Gate, 1st Floor, San Francisco
415.522.4307, Receptionist
Walk-ins and Appointments: Su – Sa: 9 am – 2 pm

1028 Howard Street Apartments
1028 Howard Street, San Francisco
415.621.2805, Lisa Batsy
By Appointment Only: Su – Sa: 5 – 9 pm

Thirtieth Street Senior Center
225 30th Street #320, San Francisco
415.794.8442, Mark Solomons
Walk-ins and Appointments: Su – Sa: 830 am – 5 pm

OMI Senior Center
446 Randolph Street, San Francisco
415.587.7500, Elaine Leung/Elaine Lee
By Appointment Only: Su – Sa: 830 am – 430 pm

Agape Community Center
378 18th Street, San Francisco
415.434.0738, Lily Lo
Walk-ins and Appointments: Tu & Th: 6 – 8 pm

California Franchise Tax Board
121 Spear Street, Ste 400
415.356.6008, Reception
Walk-ins and Appointments: W: 9 am – 2 pm

City College of San Francisco
1800 Oakdale Street, San Francisco
415.550.4347, Mila Moreno or Cynthia Hamilton
Please call for hours of operation.

Richmond Resource Center
3330 Geary Blvd, 3rd Floor, San Francisco
415-487-3780, Lolita Kintanar
Walk-ins and Appointments: Su – Sa: 830 am – 5 pm

Bayanihan Community Center
1010 Mission St. Suite B, San Francisco
Free Tax Preparation Workshop
Please call Lisa at 415.348.8042 to register.

and one resource found online:

Free Tax Help for Households with Annual Income less than $42,000:
www.earnitkeepitsaveit.org. Check the web site for resources in each county.

At the January 18th From Combat Zone to the Homefront: Supporting Bay Area Veterans Return to Their Communities at St. Mary’s Cathedral Event Center, Master of Ceremonies Johnny Baskerville and Dave Talerico report that they were brought to tears by the compelling testimony of IVP Policy Advocate Mai-Ling Garcia.

Mai-Ling was a panelist along with Amy Fairweather, Tia Christopher and Ernesto Estrada. Johny Baskerville said a hush came across the audience after Mai-Ling’s testimony on her experience as the spouse of a Iraq deployed vet. Mai-Ling told of the stereotyping she and many of the other 500,000 young spouses have had to endure after abandoning everything for their deployed husband.

Mai-Ling will receive an honorable distinction on her degree at UC Berkley when her thesis titled: “The Managed Family: An Examination of the Function of Military Families with the Institution” is published, hopefully, in March. “It’s a sociological analysis of the way the family functions within the institution (as opposed to the family being an external entity),” says Mai-Ling.

Please join Swords to Plowshares and the California Association of Veteran Service Agencies (CASVA) at the state Capitol for an assembly on issues for returning veterans. The California Assembly Veterans Affairs Committee will sponsor a State hearing around mental health, housing and homelessness, and employment and training.

Speakers will include key community members, state agencies, members of CAVSA, and Swords’ Executive Director, Michael Blecker. The aim of the meeting is to convey the magnitude and gravity of the needs of our returning military and their families. The meeting will take place in room 447 at the Capitol Building, Sacramento, 1:00-5:00pm.

Is your income less than $42,000? If so, and if you need help with your taxes, here is a new resource from the United Way, for tax preparation help and more:

www.earnitkeepitsaveit.org

Recent testimony from the American Institute of Philanthropy to the Congress (see http://oversight.house.gov/documents/20071213131834.pdf) addressed the unacceptably high levels of overhead among fundraising organizations, especially those raising money for veterans and crime and fire prevention. The Institute recommends that at least 60% should go to the program. Swords to Plowshares is very happy to report that 96 cents of every dollar (96%) goes toward helping veterans and only 4 cents of that dollar goes toward fundraising. For more information, please contact Swords to Plowshares development department at development@stp-sf.org or 415.252.4787 x343.

Read more on this at the Washington Post website

Statement from the artist:

(This) is a greeting I created for the troops in Iraq and Afganistan, and for those who’ve made it home. It is aside from politics and argument. It was inspired through respect and concern. Many years ago I wrote, ” My country tis of thee was a cold blue yonder, out of range and out of hearing…”

The concept behind the greeting was; a friend of a friend of a friend has someone dear in the sandbox. Adopt and forward at will, if you wish, or someone in your lobby may appreciate the sentiment. The greeting has gone far and wide, and is gaining speed. It has arrived in Afganistan, to a woman in the air force. Please keep its origin private.

Click the image to download the full-size version (2mb).

The San Francisco Chronicle takes a hard look at the coming onslaught of homeless Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, profiling Swords to Plowshares clients and staff. As Executive Director, Michael Blecker states, “What we’re seeing in San Francisco is guys in their 20s with the kind of stress and trauma that makes it impossible to go on with their lives.” We know we have our work cut out for us, but if you know a veteran in need, we are here to help. Read the article at sfgate.com.

Resource Development Champion Quarter 2: The Gatekeepers

James Robinson and Bill Shomer hold the fort here at Swords to Plowshares. They are the first faces to all who walk through our doors. Each maintain poise, compassion, and patience to ensure that Swords runs efficiently and smoothly. Both men are veterans. Bill, a former Marine, has experienced the perils of addiction and the street. “I feel that I give them [the clients] hope because some of them knew me from living on the streets and they see me now making a difference,” Bill says of the gratification he receives from his position as an in-take counselor. James, a Navy veteran, takes time to really talk to the clients and treats everyone with respect and dignity. “James sees the 19 year old man or woman, not the troubled soul. He looks back and sees how they were with creased pants in their uniforms. He has a tremendous amount respect for the vets and treats them as such,” said Johnny Baskerville when asked about the difficulties in-take counselor face. “The nation celebrates Veteran’s Day once a year, here at Swords, everyday is Veteran’s Day and they [James and
Bill] exemplify our mission in their interaction with the vets.”

James says he and Bill are a great team and they have “great chemistry”.

“We try to open with good vibes, ask how they [the vets] are doing, and we try and keep that vibe going throughout the day,” says James. Bill likes to get in an hour early to get his barings—make coffee for the first floor, read the paper, et cetera. He does this to ensure he starts everyday in the right frame of mind. Both say that at times it’s hard to remain professional, especially when people make demands and get out of control—threatening the safety of others. “This job can be very stressful” says Bill, “the hardest lesson I have had to learn is to put up boundaries and not to take it personally.” Despite the difficulties of their positions, both find high job satisfaction. “If I could help one veteran a day I find the fulfillment and satisfaction with my job—you know—making a difference,”
said James.

Gentlemen we bestow you with the Resource Development award in the achievement in excellence the RD Champ Award for all the hard work you do to help make this whole agency what it is. A pizza party for you and your gang is on the way. Thank you for all you do!!

Swords seems to be opening an East Coast Division in Dave Talerico’s mother’s living room in Elmira, New York.

This month, Karen Nisco, Dave Talerico’s mother, who lives in Elmira, NY and owns a bookstore, has become a self appointed community service advocate and leader. When she heard that one of our long-term Health and Social Services clients, Thomas Sikkenga was interested in moving closer to his sister in Syracuse, NY, she made Swords’ mission her mission and was able to upgrade Thomas from his 250 sq. ft. San Francisco SRO for $530 a month, to an 800 sq. ft. apartment in Elmira New York for $340 a month! In addition, Dave’s mother gathered her team of community volunteers and together they outfitted Thomas’ new apartment with furnishings and kitchen
supplies.

HelpAmerica Foundation made a $10,000 grant to Swords last July to help very low income vets such as Thomas to relocate closer to their families. It is quite appropriate that HelpAmerica Foundation generates its charitable dollars from their business of selling things for the home; that business is At Home America, a most appropriate name for this story.

We were able to help Thomas with the cost of the bus ticket as well as moving expenses from San Francisco to New York. Thomas is looking forward to spending the upcoming holidays with his sister. Dave Talerico’s mother even went so far as to pick Thomas up after his bus broke down outside Elmira and deliver him personally to his new apartment. Now THAT’s a true Mom! Thanks Dave, thanks Karen Nisco and good luck to Thomas in his new location.

Please join Honorary Co-Chairs

Speaker Nancy Pelosi & Paul Pelosi
Jon & Dianne Paulson
John & Tina Keker
Steven & Helen Snyder
William & Trudy Drypolcher

To Celebrate

Profiles of Courage
Swords to Plowshares
11th Annual Veterans Day Dinner

Thursday, November 8, 2007
Hotel Nikko San Francisco
222 Mason Street

5:30p.m. Cocktails, Silent Auction, Entertainment
7:00p.m. Dinner and Presentations

Master of Ceremonies
Michael Krasny, Host of Forum on KQED Public Radio

Tickets are $150 each

RSVP
to Megan Klein at 415.252.4787 ext. 315 or mklein@stp-sf.org

Parking
There is valet parking at Hotel Nikko available for $40.

Driving Directions
1. Take I-80 E toward BAY BRIDGE/OAKLAND/SEVENTH ST/US-101 N.
2. Exit at SEVENTH ST.
3. Proceed to FOLSOM ST. and turn right.
4. Turn left on FIFTH ST.
5. Continue on FIFTH ST., which becomes CYRIL MAGNIN ST. after your pass MARKET ST.
6. Turn left on ELLIS ST. and then turn right into Hotel Nikko San Francisco’s parking and valet entrance.

here is the google map so you can find the way, but please RSVP first

National Park Service News Release
For Immediate Release – November 5, 2007
Kathy Kupper (202) 208-6843

Military Members and Veterans to be Admitted Free-of-Charge
to National Parks on Veterans Day, November 11

All military personnel, active and retired, and their families will receive free admittance to any National Park Service site on Sunday, November 11, 2007 in honor of Veteran’s Day.
The 391 units of the National Park Service preserve and protect some ofthe country’s most significant scenic and cultural places. The website http://www.nps.gov/pub_aff/veterans/honor.htm provides information on National Park Service battlefields, military parks, and historic sites that commemorate the service of American veterans.

“I hope that all service members take advantage of this fee-free day and spend Sunday in a park making memories with their families,” said NPS Director Mary A. Bomar. “I am part of a military family and I know firsthand that time spent together is extremely precious. National parks provide wonderful opportunities for families to connect with each other while they explore our country’s natural, historical, and recreational treasures.”

The fee waiver applies to entrance fees only. Normally, 147 National Park Service sites charge entrance fees ranging from $3 to $25. Some parks might also waive other fees on an individual basis. Veteran’s Day and National Public Lands Day in September are the only annual dates when entrance fees are waived nationwide.

Mission statement of Vets 4 Vets:

Vets4Vets is a non-partisan veterans’ peer support organization dedicated to helping Iraq and Afghanistan veterans feel good about themselves and heal from any negative aspects of service and war.

In weekend workshops, one-on-one, and local groups, Vets4Vets allows veterans to take equal and uninterupted turns sharing their experiences and expressing their feelings in a truly confidential setting.

Visit the Vets4Vets website for detailed information about the weekend retreat.

Link to the Headlands Institute
Blog entry about the retreat on Vet4Vet’s myspace page

Everything is FREE, including airfare.

The Iraq Veteran Project is hooking up with the local chapter of Vets4Vets and invites you to come hang out with young veterans and their friends. Show your support, have fun and rock out to a night of great music and good people. Music includes:

P-cows - crazy good times punk band
The Sleeper Waves - shoegaze indie rock
The Federalists - indie rock w/a country twist
Radioactive - hip-hop/acapello artist

Special guest appearance by Colby Buzzell, who rose to national attention recently with the publication of his book “Killing Time in Iraq,” a gutsy, uncompromising and honest compilation of his blog posts from the warfront.

Saturday November 10
Doors open 8pm
Show starts 9pm
The Ramp
855 Terry Francois St (between Illinois St & Mariposa St)
$5-20 suggested donation
Proceeds benefit Swords to Plowshares and the Bay Area chapter of Vets4Vets
Drink specials
Door prizes
21+

Download a pdf of the flyer

Call Swords to Plowshares at (415) 252-4788 for more info. Hope to see you there!

On Tuesday, September 25th, the San Francisco Foundation’s Community Awards Ceremony took place in the Herbst Theatre in the War Memorial Building at 401 VanNess Avenue.
Swords was honored no less than 6 times throughout the evening, and presented with certificates of recognition from the San Francisco Foundation, California Assemblypeople and Members of Congress. The official certificates are currently on display on the 2nd floor of 1060 Howard Street Headquarters.

Michael Blecker accepted the awards on behalf of Swords. Among the honors, Swords to Plowshares is the 2007 John R. May Awardee, for outstanding and invaluable service to the community, with a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition signed by Congress Member, Barbara Lee.

As the 2007 San Francisco Foundation Honoree, Swords was presented a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition for outstanding and invaluable service to the community, signed by Congress Member, Nancy Pelosi.

The State of California Senate recognized Swords to Plowshares with a certificate recognizing advocacy for homeless and low-income veterans by providing comprehensive services, including counseling, housing, employment programs and legal assistance and in recognition of initiatives that influence national policy, signed by Sate Senator, Carole Migden.
Member of congress Tom Lautos gave Swords a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition, in appreciation for our outstanding and invaluable service to the community.
Swords also received 2 Certificates of Recognition from the California Legislature Assembly, for outstanding community service and exemplary leadership thereby making the City & County of San Francisco and the State of California a better place to live, signed by Assemblywoman and Majority Whip, Fiona Ma and Assemblyman of the 13th District, Mark Leno.

Swords to Plowshares is very pleased to announce that we will be honored at the San Francisco Foundation’s 2007 Community Leadership Awards:

Tuesday, September 25, 2007 6:30pm – 8:30pm
at the Herbst Theatre, War Memorial Veterans Building
(401 VanNess @ McAllister)

Admission is free, but to attend you must RSVP online at www.sff.org or call 415-733-8577. Thank you, San Francisco Foundation!

The Swords to Plowshares Media Awards recognize and honor mainstream, organizational and individual media for their accurate and inclusive representations of veterans in our community and the issues that affect their lives. Award receipients are announced during the Annual Veteran’s Day Dinner on Thursday, November 8th at Hotel Nikko in San Francisco.

Information on our 2006 recipient can be found in our Spring 2007 newsletter. Additional information is found in the following pdfs (Adobe Acrobat Reader require):
Official entry form | Media Awards selection process

Save the Date:

Swords to Plowshares
Veterans Day Dinner
Thursday, November 8, 2007
5:30 Silent Auction & Reception
7:00 Dinner
Hotel Nikko, San Francisco

Featuring
Special Guest Host, Michael Krasney

Join us in supporting and celebrating the achievements of the men and women who have served our country.

For more information, please call 415.252.4788 or visit www.stp-sf.org

Download the postcard (pdf, 370kb)

Swords to Plowshares is proud to be a sponsor of the Treasure Island Community Festival, September 29th on Treasure Island. You can join the free festivities 11am to 3pm on the Great Lawn. Please download and the view the Festival pdf (398kb) for more info (Acrobat Reader required).

Local Veterans Sketpical Of Post-War Stress Bill

Swords was recently mentioned in a news story by ABC:

As recommendations were coming out from the Wounded Warrior Commission on how to improve military healthcare, a separate hearing on post traumatic stress disorder was also taking place on Capitol Hill.

The Senate passed sweeping legislation today that addressed some of what the presidential commission proposed. The House this afternoon was considering some of the same issues — restructuring disability pay, reducing red tape in the V.A. and getting more help for veterans with mental health conditions.

Rep. Bob Filner, (D) California: “Not only are soldiers being denied treatment for a very real problem, but they are put in a position where it is very, very difficult to get that treatment later on.”

Legislation passed today by the Senate would, among other things, provide $50 million dollars to expand brain screenings of veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD.

Veterans activists welcomed the news with skepticism.

Michael Blecker, Swords to Plowshares: “These things have been brought up repeatedly. The issue is what’s going to happen.”

Kenneth Crawford, Gulf War Veteran: “We’re going to have veterans galore here in the city of San Francisco and all over the United States that don’t know where to go, don’t know what to do, don’t know who to see.”

Shelters take many vets of Iraq, Afghan wars

This reflects only a fraction of the total number of homeless Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, said Amy Fairweather, who works with Iraq war veterans at Swords to Plowshares, a private organization based in San Francisco that assists veterans. Last year, her agency’s five shelters in California helped 250 such veterans, she said.

She said it is impossible to know how many veterans have not asked for help and are “crashing on their friends’ couch, in a car, in a park . . . [or are] people who live in a church.”

“It’s a major problem that’s not going away anytime soon,” said Cheryl Beversdorf, director of the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans in Washington, who estimates that hundreds, perhaps thousands of troops who fought in Iraq and Afghanistan are living in shelters.Kevin’s story illustrates the lagging response of overburdened government agencies to the needs of troops returning from wars, said Jack Downing, who runs the shelter where Kevin and four other veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are staying.

Swords to Plowshares is the nation’s expert in identifying and serving the needs of our country’s veterans.

This Monday, July 30th at 8:45am-10:30am, Michael Krasny will host Michael Blecker, Jennifer Bezoza, senior staff attorney from the Disability Rights Advocates and a former psychiatrist at the VA, Dr. Chad Peterson, on KQED’s Forum radio program.

Tune in on Monday to hear the live broadcast on KQED FM 88.5 San Francisco.

Swords to Plowshares, John Keker and the Honorable Michael Daly Hawkins cordially invite you to a very special reception.

When:
July 26, 2007
5:30 to 7:30 pm

Where:
US Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit
95 7th Street | San Francisco

Beer, wine and hors d’oeuvres will be served

RSVP by July 23 to Colette Rodgers
415.252.4787 ext. 343 | crodgers@stp-sf.org
For directions and parking contact Megan Klein
415.252.4787 ext 315 | mklein@stp-sf.org

About the speakers:

A lieutenant in the Marine Corps, John Keker served as an infantry platoon leader in Vietnam until he was wounded and retired in 1967. Mr. Keker is a longtime supporter of Swords to Plowshares and is recognized as one of the top trial lawyers in the United States.

A graduate of Arizona State University (B.A., J.D.) and the University of Virginia (LL.M.), Judge Hawkins was appointed by President Clinton and commenced service as a United States Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit on September 15, 1994. Judge Hawkins served to the rank of Captain in the United States Marine Corps (1970-73). He engaged in the private practice of law from 1973 to 1977 and again from 1980 to 1994, interrupted by service as United States Attorney for the District of Arizona (1977-80). While in private practice, he frequently served as a Judge Pro Tempore of the Arizona Court of Appeals. A 1995 recipient of ASU’s Alumni Achievement Award, he also was honored in 2003 by the State Bar of Arizona with its James Walsh Outstanding Jurist Award. In 2006, ASU’s College of Law presented him with the John S. Lancy Award, recognizing him as an outstanding law journal alumnus. He maintains his chambers in Phoenix, Arizona.

Sponsors:

This event is graciously sponsored by Brayton & Purcell, LLP.

About Swords to Plowshares:

Far too many of our nation’s former servicemembers live in poverty and without a home: nearly one-third of all homeless people in San Francisco are veterans. Swords to Plowshares
helps these men and women regain their place in society by providing comprehensive services including counseling, case management, employment support, legal assistance and housing. With the support of our community, Swords to Plowshares has helped thousands of veterans regain respect and control over their lives.

Swords to Plowshares. Vets helping vets since 1974. www.stp-sf.org

Swords to Plowshares would like to extend their gratitude for your donation via the Microsoft California Antitrust Settlement facilitated through DonateDirect. As you may be aware, in 2004 you provided DonateDirect with permission to transfer funds to worthy charities. Swords to Plowshares may or may not be in your backyard; however DonateDirect has tried to honor donor intent as much as possible. Through this program you have been automatically placed into our mailing list and will receive information from us including quarterly newsletters, our Annual Report, a calendar of events, and finally invitations to these special events.

If you would like to be removed from our mailing list, please fill out the following form, and press submit. You will receive a confirmation email and then separately someone from our organization will contact you to confirm your removal from our mailing list.

A valid email address is required, so we can send you the confirmation. Your email address is carefully guarded and will never be shared with third parties.

Thank you!

cforms contact form by delicious:days

A veteran shares his gratitude for Swords to Plowshares’ Treasure Island Transitional Housing Program. Read what he has to say (pdf).

For a more in-depth look at Swords to Plowshares, we invite you to read our most recent newsletter, Plowshares (pdf).

Take a virtual tour of the Veterans Academy at the Academy’s new website, developed by students at Swords’ Computer Learning Center!