Swords to Plowshares

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.