Swords to Plowshares

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!!