Swords to Plowshares Information

For over 45 years, Swords to Plowshares has provided direct services for low-income, homeless, and at-risk San Francisco Bay Area veterans regardless of era of service or discharge status. Our Drop-in Center provides outreach and critical care to help homeless, low-income and at-risk veterans. Our Case Managers and intake staff help stabilize veterans with crisis intervention, counseling and case management, in-house and community referrals, assistance securing emergency and permanent housing and a host of other critical needs. We have operated successful stabilization and permanent supportive housing programs for more than two decades and have seven different housing sites. We also offer supportive services that improve outcomes, including Rapid Re-housing services, eviction protections, and money management programs. Veterans work one-on-one with our Employment & Training Program staff to address their individual needs, overcome obstacles to employment, and determine a long-term career plan. We provide job placement assistance and vocational training programs to help veterans translate their skills and train for new careers in high-growth, high-wage careers in the civilian sector. We are one of the few organizations in the country that provide free legal consultation and attorney representation to veterans seeking assistance with the Department of Veterans Affairs benefits and military discharge upgrade cases. Our services are targeted to address the needs of homeless and low-income veterans and are all free of charge. Our Institute for Veteran Policy (IVP) works to strengthen systems of care for veterans and their families. IVP’s policy and community education efforts are unique, reflecting decades of experience in direct community-based care, access to housing, benefits, mental and physical healthcare, and employment services.