Dear Friends and Supporters,
Healthcare is at the forefront of all Americans’ minds this year. Like many Americans, veterans are in jeopardy of losing access to healthcare that they rely on. Current threats to Medicare, Social Security, Medicaid and the VA impact those who are most vulnerable—the elderly, the sick, the poor and veterans.
After the years following the Vietnam War, the detrimental effects of our fellow service members’ lack of access to VA healthcare became increasingly evident. Veterans who were stripped of their honor and discharged with “bad paper” were desperately looking for relief from the horrors of war, but they were denied benefits and lacked support in the community and from employers.
Access to care impacts our community. It means Mr. Ramirez, one of our 2016 Profiles of Courage, finally had access to the treatment he needed to address his post-traumatic stress, 50 years after his service ended. It means Kevin Miller, featured in this newsletter, has one integrated health system to address the multiple and complex injuries he sustained from three deployments.
At Swords to Plowshares, we believe that housing is the beginning to stable health. Getting a homeless veteran housed in a safe environment is key to reducing the daily stress on the mind and body after living without a stable home, and establishes a foundation for a path to self-sufficiency. A formerly homeless veteran who receives housing and healthcare after years without access to support finally has the ability to focus on their trauma and deteriorating health. When one is homeless, the struggle to find food and shelter is a primary daily need that overshadows all else.
Supporting veterans’ access to quality healthcare is not a partisan issue. It’s the right thing to do. Swords to Plowshares took up this fight 43 years ago and will continue fighting to ensure that veterans have access to the veteran-centered care they need, earned and deserve. Please join us to protect the high-quality, innovative and life-saving VA healthcare system that so many veterans rely upon.
You can help. Talk to your representatives about protecting veteran healthcare, remain active in your community and informed about the issues, and continue supporting the efforts of organizations like Swords to Plowshares who advocate for veterans.
Sincerely,
Michael Blecker
Executive Director
U.S. Army, 1967-1970
Yaniv Newman
Chair of the Board
U.S. Marine Corps, 1999-2003
Ethical Approaches & Competencies in Counseling the Military CommunityDuane France
A presentation to the Military and Government Counseling Association Professional Development Institute. This presentation discusses the need to develop awareness and cultural competence in clinical mental health counseling professionals when working with clients who are military service members, veterans, and their families. The need for cultural competence is demonstrated, a potential framework is proposed, and ways in which a mental health professional can develop cultural competence is provided.
Partnerships and collaborative activities are rooted in the heart of the mission at Swords to Plowshares. We cannot do the work we do without the close alliances with community partners. Our veteran clients collaborate with us as well, as we determine together, the best path to take as they continue their journey toward self-sufficiency.
As you read through this newsletter, you will find examples of partnerships large and small; relationships in their infancy and some, years in the making. New partnerships with the National Veterans Legal Services Program and Harvard Law School to address how the VA wrongfully excludes veterans with “bad paper” strengthen our ability to advocate for the veterans we serve. Long-standing partnerships such as the one with Chinatown Community Development Center have resulted in projects such as Veterans Commons, permanent supportive housing for veterans and the new Mission Bay building slated to open in 2019.
Swords to Plowshares is honored to have members of the community engaged in our mission to help heal the wounds of war. When our organization was founded in 1974, we knew we had to rely on each other—veterans helping veterans.
The same approach still rings true 42 years later. It is our supporters, donors, and community members who have helped us further our mission year after year. As we approach the holiday season and reflect on the year, we ask that you keep Swords to Plowshares in your thoughts and year-end charitable giving. Our work not only relies on partnerships and collaboration but also the philanthropy of our supporters.
Thank you for being on this journey with our staff, our partners, and most importantly, our veteran clients.
Best wishes,
Michael Blecker Executive Director
Stephen Plath Chair of the Board
Homeless Veterans Thesis
Military Veterans Essay
Veterans Struggles Essay
Writing As A Veteran
Essay On Veterans
Care For Veterans Essay
Veterans Day Essay
Ethical Approaches & Competencies in Counseling the Military CommunityDuane France
A presentation to the Military and Government Counseling Association Professional Development Institute. This presentation discusses the need to develop awareness and cultural competence in clinical mental health counseling professionals when working with clients who are military service members, veterans, and their families. The need for cultural competence is demonstrated, a potential framework is proposed, and ways in which a mental health professional can develop cultural competence is provided.
Partnerships and collaborative activities are rooted in the heart of the mission at Swords to Plowshares. We cannot do the work we do without the close alliances with community partners. Our veteran clients collaborate with us as well, as we determine together, the best path to take as they continue their journey toward self-sufficiency.
As you read through this newsletter, you will find examples of partnerships large and small; relationships in their infancy and some, years in the making. New partnerships with the National Veterans Legal Services Program and Harvard Law School to address how the VA wrongfully excludes veterans with “bad paper” strengthen our ability to advocate for the veterans we serve. Long-standing partnerships such as the one with Chinatown Community Development Center have resulted in projects such as Veterans Commons, permanent supportive housing for veterans and the new Mission Bay building slated to open in 2019.
Swords to Plowshares is honored to have members of the community engaged in our mission to help heal the wounds of war. When our organization was founded in 1974, we knew we had to rely on each other—veterans helping veterans.
The same approach still rings true 42 years later. It is our supporters, donors, and community members who have helped us further our mission year after year. As we approach the holiday season and reflect on the year, we ask that you keep Swords to Plowshares in your thoughts and year-end charitable giving. Our work not only relies on partnerships and collaboration but also the philanthropy of our supporters.
Thank you for being on this journey with our staff, our partners, and most importantly, our veteran clients.
Best wishes,
Michael Blecker Executive Director
Stephen Plath Chair of the Board
Homeless Veterans Thesis
Military Veterans Essay
Veterans Struggles Essay
Writing As A Veteran
Essay On Veterans
Care For Veterans Essay
Veterans Day Essay
The goal of this webinar was to equip healthcare professionals with an understanding of military veterans’ unique medical, emotional, and spiritual needs as they near the end of life.
Emergent Themes from the STMSS PodcastDuane France
Presentation on emergent themes in suicide prevention from a 52-episode podcast series titled Seeking the Military Suicide Solution. Presented at the 2021 VA/DOD Suicide Prevention Conference 20 May 2021
Veterans Nearing the End of Life: Distinct Needs, Specialized CareVITASAuthor
The goal of this webinar was to equip healthcare professionals with an understanding of military veterans’ unique
medical, emotional, and spiritual needs as they near the end of life
These slides were part of a Webinar introducing an online course, offered by ITTI, certified by PESI for six CEUs, and taught by me entitled, "Civilian Clinicians Counseling Military Veterans." For more information or to enroll in this course go to: https://traumaonline.net/
Essay On Veteran Suicide
Essay On Veterans
Essay On American Veterans
Speech About Veterans
Essay On Veterans
Essay On Veterans Day
Essay about Homeless Veterans
Veterans Struggles Essay
Dear Friends & Supporters,
At Swords to Plowshares, we believe that housing is the gateway to stable health. Getting a homeless veteran housed in a safe environment is key to reducing the daily stress on mind and body after living without a stable home and establishes the foundation for a path to self-sufficiency.
A formerly homeless veteran, who receives housing and healthcare after years without access to support, can finally focus on addressing trauma and deteriorating health to start improving overall well-being.
Housing and healthcare are critical services for veterans who are poor, elderly, and sick, but nutrition can often be an afterthought for these individuals. For our veterans with a limited income, finding a warm, healthy meal can present a daily challenge. Over the last few months, we have been able to supplement regular meals provided at two of our housing sites with a breakfast served by corporate volunteers twice a month.
Also, thanks to food donations from Copia Foods, we have now been able to offer a meal to our homeless veterans who visit our Service Center. In this edition of our newsletter, you’ll hear about the incredible generosity of Craig Newmark and his support for our legal program’s effort to assist underrepresented
veterans. Another feature is our Pro Bono Attorney of the Year, Mike Lodge, a Coast Guard veteran who volunteers his time providing legal assistance to homeless and low-income
veterans with disabilities.
Also, you’ll learn about the impact our community organizer Bilal Mustafa, an Army veteran who organizes recreational activities for our residents. You’ll also see photos from the meals our wonderful corporate volunteers provide.
You too can make an impact and support the lives of our veterans. Please join us in helping end the cycle of poverty and homelessness with a purchase of hygiene items for our homeless veterans, setting up a monthly recurring donation, or dedicating another gift to support our vital programs and services.
Michael Blecker
Executive Director
Vietnam Combat Veteran
U.S. Army 1967-1970
Dear Friends & Supporters:
At Swords to Plowshares, preventing and ending veteran homelessness is at the core of what we do. We take pride in working to restore dignity, hope, and self-sufficiency
to all veterans in need. Our model of care is based on the philosophy that the obstacles veterans may face require an integrated network of support, which is why we provide comprehensive wraparound services.
The main point of entry to our critical services is through our Frontline Drop-in Center. Once there, our intake staff and case managers address veterans’ immediate needs and then continue to work with them on a long-term plan that will utilize our programs and services to improve their health, economic and housing stability, and overall well-being.
As the needs of the veterans we serve continues to change, so must our programs and services. Earlier this year, to keep up these needs, our Frontline Drop-in Center launched several client-focused groups and activities, including: a wellness group for LGBTQ veterans, a women veterans group, a support group for homeless veterans, a harm reduction group and 12-step meetings for veterans, a chess club, and dedicated movie times.
Over the years, Swords to Plowshares has helped countless numbers of veterans overcome adversity, and our programs and services continue to evolve to meet the needs of our clients. These new groups and activities at our Drop-in Center were developed thanks to the input of our frontline staff, and have been well-received and attended. However, the critical services these groups and activities provide need your support. In this edition of our newsletter, you will read stories that highlight the impact of our frontline staff and a few of those who have recently benefited from the services our Drop-in Center provides. Please join us in making an impact on veterans’ lives by supporting these vital programs and services.
Thank you,
Michael Blecker
Executive Director
U.S. Army, 1967-1970
Dear Friends & Supporters,
Housing is essential to our mission of ending poverty and homelessness among veterans, but the availability of affordable housing in the San Francisco Bay Area is scarce. This scarcity is well-known and has created numerous challenges in trying to end veteran homeless. Over the last six years, we have made tremendous strides and have housed more than 40 percent of all homeless veterans in San Francisco. This reduction has occurred while the city has grappled with a 23 percent overall increase in homelessness.
At any given time, we have the capacity to house 441 veterans. With a new housing site in Mission Bay, we will be able to house another 62 veterans and 56 families. We are proud to announce that we will be breaking ground on our eighth housing site in Mission Bay on November 21st. Most of the veterans who reside with us are seniors who earn less and are typically more disabled than non-veterans of similar age and situation. However, we recognize that veterans with histories of chronic
homelessness have unique needs and require wrap-around care. Under this model, we work to foster a community that is supportive and engaged, providing veterans with access to resources they need to become self-sufficient.
The path to self-sufficiency starts with housing but as you will find out, it does not end there. This path can include mental health or substance abuse counseling, support groups, educational programs, workshops, and engaging in a wide array of community activities. In this issue, we have featured community activities to show our supporters an inside look at our residents’ lives and how these activities are an essential part of their reintegration to society. We have also featured volunteer engagement activities that have helped give us the opportunity to beautify the housing sites where our veterans live.
Swords to Plowshares has operated successful housing programs since 1987 and will continue to work to end poverty and homelessness among veterans. Please join us in our mission to end veteran homelessness by speaking with your local representative voicing your support for more housing for veterans and sharing any news and events about us online to help us generate awareness about our cause.
Thank you,
Michael Blecker
Executive Director
U.S. Army, 1967-1970
Post-9/11 veterans are denied basic veteran services at a higher rate than those of any previous era. Tens of thousands of service members who would have received Honorable or Honorable Conditions discharges in prior eras today receive Other Than Honorable (OTH) discharges. Our “zero-tolerance,” high op-tempo military has little patience for even routine discipline and behavior issues. This is true even when the behavior change is symptomatic of mental health issues that arose in service. The statistics are alarming. Combat-veteran Marines with PTSD diagnoses are 11 times more likely to get an OTH discharge than others; between 2009 and 2012, the Army gave misconduct discharges to 20,000 service members even after diagnosing them with PTSD; survivors of military sexual trauma are 50% more likely to get misconduct discharges. Denying veterans basic services for minor misconduct issues is unfair; denying them basic services because they are disabled or traumatized is unconscionable. It is happening now more than ever.
Getting It Right: “Bad Paper” Legislation That Works
Prepared for House Veteran Affairs Committee, Subcommittee on Health
Legislative Hearing on H.R 918 and others
March 29, 2017
Submitted by Swords to Plowshares, a Veteran Rights Organization
With the Assistance of Veterans Legal Clinic at Harvard Law School
This online workshop for grantees of our Veteran Employment and Training Collaborative will cover structured interviews as part of your program evaluation process. We will be joined by Wendy Meluch, Principal, VisitorStudies.com who will cover: Conducting structured interviews as part of intake, pre/post assessment, and exiting your program; issues/questions you hope to address using a structured interview; structured interview vs. self-completed questionnaire; and interview skills and techniques.
This is an interactive webinar and participants will have an opportunity to discuss challenges and best practices in structured interviewing.
White Paper: Legislation to Ensure Veterans’ Access to Mental Health Care Swords to Plowshares
Congress is currently developing and considering multiple bills to ensure that veterans with bad paper discharges who are experiencing mental heal issues can assess some treatment through Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) hospitals or clinics. This report presents some alternative or supplemental options for how Congress can most effectively achieve its expressed goal of ensuring that VA offers mental healthcare to veterans with bad paper discharges.
This primer provides an overview of health indicators of aging veterans who are pre-disposed for a variety of physical and mental health issues impacted by their military service related injuries. Veterans ages 55 and older represent 66% (13.9 million) of the veteran population.
Social media is an opportunity to tell your story, engage with supporters, keep your cause at the top of supporters’ newsfeeds, and get results.
Kevin Miller, Media Relations Specialist at Swords to Plowshares will discuss best practices in social media, integrating and aligning social media with your strategic goals and target audiences, content strategies, holiday campaigns and other fundraising strategies, and tracking your results.
This is an online workshop, however, we encourage you to be active participants, able to ask and answer questions as well as participate in exercises throughout the presentation.
2016 San Francisco Veterans Mental Health Summit Findings Report Swords to Plowshares
This report summarizes the Mental Health Summit, jointly hosted by Swords to Plowshares, the San Francisco VA Health Care system and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and KQED Veterans Coming Home. Participants focused discussion of access to care and suicide prevention around aging veterans, veterans with bad paper, women and LGBTQ veterans. The summary includes new resources, key challenges and proposed next steps to strengthen community approaches to care.
San Francisco VA Mental Health Summit: An Introduction to Suicide PreventionSwords to Plowshares
Talk Saves Lives: An Introduction to Suicide Prevention.
San Francisco VA Medical Center - 2016 VA Mental Health Summit
An Introduction to Suicide Prevention
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
San Francisco VA Mental Health Summit 2016 Presentation by Megan McCarthySwords to Plowshares
San Francisco Veteran Mental Health Summit 2016
Presentation by Megan McCarthy, Ph.D.
Deputy Director, Office of Suicide Prevention
U.S Department of Veterans Affairs
August 12, 2016
Combat to Community: Transitioning from Military Service to the Civilian Work...Swords to Plowshares
The training is adapted to the specific needs of community professionals:
Recruiters, Hiring Managers, and HR Specialists
Learn practical ways to recruit, hire, and support veteran employees.
Translate military service skill-sets to the civilian workplace.
Create a veteran-friendly workplace through supportive programs.
Learn solutions to remove obstacles for improved recruitment and retention
HRCI Accreditation
Right to Care: Voices of Swords to Plowshares' Veteran CommunitySwords to Plowshares
In Section 202 of the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act (VACAA) of 2014, Congress established the Commission on Care, charging it to examine veterans’ access to Department of Veterans Affairs health care and to examine strategically how best to organize the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), locate health resources, and deliver health care to veterans during the next 20 years. In order to amplify the veteran narrative within the Commission on Care, Swords to Plowshares investigated access to VA and non-VA systems-of-care and measured perceptions of the quality of services among the Swords to Plowshares veteran community. We conducted one-on-one in-depth interviews with 22 veteran clients and staff who have accessed VA care locally and throughout the country using a human-centered design for our user research.
The goal of this webinar was to equip healthcare professionals with an understanding of military veterans’ unique medical, emotional, and spiritual needs as they near the end of life.
Emergent Themes from the STMSS PodcastDuane France
Presentation on emergent themes in suicide prevention from a 52-episode podcast series titled Seeking the Military Suicide Solution. Presented at the 2021 VA/DOD Suicide Prevention Conference 20 May 2021
Veterans Nearing the End of Life: Distinct Needs, Specialized CareVITASAuthor
The goal of this webinar was to equip healthcare professionals with an understanding of military veterans’ unique
medical, emotional, and spiritual needs as they near the end of life
These slides were part of a Webinar introducing an online course, offered by ITTI, certified by PESI for six CEUs, and taught by me entitled, "Civilian Clinicians Counseling Military Veterans." For more information or to enroll in this course go to: https://traumaonline.net/
Essay On Veteran Suicide
Essay On Veterans
Essay On American Veterans
Speech About Veterans
Essay On Veterans
Essay On Veterans Day
Essay about Homeless Veterans
Veterans Struggles Essay
Dear Friends & Supporters,
At Swords to Plowshares, we believe that housing is the gateway to stable health. Getting a homeless veteran housed in a safe environment is key to reducing the daily stress on mind and body after living without a stable home and establishes the foundation for a path to self-sufficiency.
A formerly homeless veteran, who receives housing and healthcare after years without access to support, can finally focus on addressing trauma and deteriorating health to start improving overall well-being.
Housing and healthcare are critical services for veterans who are poor, elderly, and sick, but nutrition can often be an afterthought for these individuals. For our veterans with a limited income, finding a warm, healthy meal can present a daily challenge. Over the last few months, we have been able to supplement regular meals provided at two of our housing sites with a breakfast served by corporate volunteers twice a month.
Also, thanks to food donations from Copia Foods, we have now been able to offer a meal to our homeless veterans who visit our Service Center. In this edition of our newsletter, you’ll hear about the incredible generosity of Craig Newmark and his support for our legal program’s effort to assist underrepresented
veterans. Another feature is our Pro Bono Attorney of the Year, Mike Lodge, a Coast Guard veteran who volunteers his time providing legal assistance to homeless and low-income
veterans with disabilities.
Also, you’ll learn about the impact our community organizer Bilal Mustafa, an Army veteran who organizes recreational activities for our residents. You’ll also see photos from the meals our wonderful corporate volunteers provide.
You too can make an impact and support the lives of our veterans. Please join us in helping end the cycle of poverty and homelessness with a purchase of hygiene items for our homeless veterans, setting up a monthly recurring donation, or dedicating another gift to support our vital programs and services.
Michael Blecker
Executive Director
Vietnam Combat Veteran
U.S. Army 1967-1970
Dear Friends & Supporters:
At Swords to Plowshares, preventing and ending veteran homelessness is at the core of what we do. We take pride in working to restore dignity, hope, and self-sufficiency
to all veterans in need. Our model of care is based on the philosophy that the obstacles veterans may face require an integrated network of support, which is why we provide comprehensive wraparound services.
The main point of entry to our critical services is through our Frontline Drop-in Center. Once there, our intake staff and case managers address veterans’ immediate needs and then continue to work with them on a long-term plan that will utilize our programs and services to improve their health, economic and housing stability, and overall well-being.
As the needs of the veterans we serve continues to change, so must our programs and services. Earlier this year, to keep up these needs, our Frontline Drop-in Center launched several client-focused groups and activities, including: a wellness group for LGBTQ veterans, a women veterans group, a support group for homeless veterans, a harm reduction group and 12-step meetings for veterans, a chess club, and dedicated movie times.
Over the years, Swords to Plowshares has helped countless numbers of veterans overcome adversity, and our programs and services continue to evolve to meet the needs of our clients. These new groups and activities at our Drop-in Center were developed thanks to the input of our frontline staff, and have been well-received and attended. However, the critical services these groups and activities provide need your support. In this edition of our newsletter, you will read stories that highlight the impact of our frontline staff and a few of those who have recently benefited from the services our Drop-in Center provides. Please join us in making an impact on veterans’ lives by supporting these vital programs and services.
Thank you,
Michael Blecker
Executive Director
U.S. Army, 1967-1970
Dear Friends & Supporters,
Housing is essential to our mission of ending poverty and homelessness among veterans, but the availability of affordable housing in the San Francisco Bay Area is scarce. This scarcity is well-known and has created numerous challenges in trying to end veteran homeless. Over the last six years, we have made tremendous strides and have housed more than 40 percent of all homeless veterans in San Francisco. This reduction has occurred while the city has grappled with a 23 percent overall increase in homelessness.
At any given time, we have the capacity to house 441 veterans. With a new housing site in Mission Bay, we will be able to house another 62 veterans and 56 families. We are proud to announce that we will be breaking ground on our eighth housing site in Mission Bay on November 21st. Most of the veterans who reside with us are seniors who earn less and are typically more disabled than non-veterans of similar age and situation. However, we recognize that veterans with histories of chronic
homelessness have unique needs and require wrap-around care. Under this model, we work to foster a community that is supportive and engaged, providing veterans with access to resources they need to become self-sufficient.
The path to self-sufficiency starts with housing but as you will find out, it does not end there. This path can include mental health or substance abuse counseling, support groups, educational programs, workshops, and engaging in a wide array of community activities. In this issue, we have featured community activities to show our supporters an inside look at our residents’ lives and how these activities are an essential part of their reintegration to society. We have also featured volunteer engagement activities that have helped give us the opportunity to beautify the housing sites where our veterans live.
Swords to Plowshares has operated successful housing programs since 1987 and will continue to work to end poverty and homelessness among veterans. Please join us in our mission to end veteran homelessness by speaking with your local representative voicing your support for more housing for veterans and sharing any news and events about us online to help us generate awareness about our cause.
Thank you,
Michael Blecker
Executive Director
U.S. Army, 1967-1970
Post-9/11 veterans are denied basic veteran services at a higher rate than those of any previous era. Tens of thousands of service members who would have received Honorable or Honorable Conditions discharges in prior eras today receive Other Than Honorable (OTH) discharges. Our “zero-tolerance,” high op-tempo military has little patience for even routine discipline and behavior issues. This is true even when the behavior change is symptomatic of mental health issues that arose in service. The statistics are alarming. Combat-veteran Marines with PTSD diagnoses are 11 times more likely to get an OTH discharge than others; between 2009 and 2012, the Army gave misconduct discharges to 20,000 service members even after diagnosing them with PTSD; survivors of military sexual trauma are 50% more likely to get misconduct discharges. Denying veterans basic services for minor misconduct issues is unfair; denying them basic services because they are disabled or traumatized is unconscionable. It is happening now more than ever.
Getting It Right: “Bad Paper” Legislation That Works
Prepared for House Veteran Affairs Committee, Subcommittee on Health
Legislative Hearing on H.R 918 and others
March 29, 2017
Submitted by Swords to Plowshares, a Veteran Rights Organization
With the Assistance of Veterans Legal Clinic at Harvard Law School
This online workshop for grantees of our Veteran Employment and Training Collaborative will cover structured interviews as part of your program evaluation process. We will be joined by Wendy Meluch, Principal, VisitorStudies.com who will cover: Conducting structured interviews as part of intake, pre/post assessment, and exiting your program; issues/questions you hope to address using a structured interview; structured interview vs. self-completed questionnaire; and interview skills and techniques.
This is an interactive webinar and participants will have an opportunity to discuss challenges and best practices in structured interviewing.
White Paper: Legislation to Ensure Veterans’ Access to Mental Health Care Swords to Plowshares
Congress is currently developing and considering multiple bills to ensure that veterans with bad paper discharges who are experiencing mental heal issues can assess some treatment through Department of Veteran Affairs (VA) hospitals or clinics. This report presents some alternative or supplemental options for how Congress can most effectively achieve its expressed goal of ensuring that VA offers mental healthcare to veterans with bad paper discharges.
This primer provides an overview of health indicators of aging veterans who are pre-disposed for a variety of physical and mental health issues impacted by their military service related injuries. Veterans ages 55 and older represent 66% (13.9 million) of the veteran population.
Social media is an opportunity to tell your story, engage with supporters, keep your cause at the top of supporters’ newsfeeds, and get results.
Kevin Miller, Media Relations Specialist at Swords to Plowshares will discuss best practices in social media, integrating and aligning social media with your strategic goals and target audiences, content strategies, holiday campaigns and other fundraising strategies, and tracking your results.
This is an online workshop, however, we encourage you to be active participants, able to ask and answer questions as well as participate in exercises throughout the presentation.
2016 San Francisco Veterans Mental Health Summit Findings Report Swords to Plowshares
This report summarizes the Mental Health Summit, jointly hosted by Swords to Plowshares, the San Francisco VA Health Care system and the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and KQED Veterans Coming Home. Participants focused discussion of access to care and suicide prevention around aging veterans, veterans with bad paper, women and LGBTQ veterans. The summary includes new resources, key challenges and proposed next steps to strengthen community approaches to care.
San Francisco VA Mental Health Summit: An Introduction to Suicide PreventionSwords to Plowshares
Talk Saves Lives: An Introduction to Suicide Prevention.
San Francisco VA Medical Center - 2016 VA Mental Health Summit
An Introduction to Suicide Prevention
American Foundation for Suicide Prevention
San Francisco VA Mental Health Summit 2016 Presentation by Megan McCarthySwords to Plowshares
San Francisco Veteran Mental Health Summit 2016
Presentation by Megan McCarthy, Ph.D.
Deputy Director, Office of Suicide Prevention
U.S Department of Veterans Affairs
August 12, 2016
Combat to Community: Transitioning from Military Service to the Civilian Work...Swords to Plowshares
The training is adapted to the specific needs of community professionals:
Recruiters, Hiring Managers, and HR Specialists
Learn practical ways to recruit, hire, and support veteran employees.
Translate military service skill-sets to the civilian workplace.
Create a veteran-friendly workplace through supportive programs.
Learn solutions to remove obstacles for improved recruitment and retention
HRCI Accreditation
Right to Care: Voices of Swords to Plowshares' Veteran CommunitySwords to Plowshares
In Section 202 of the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act (VACAA) of 2014, Congress established the Commission on Care, charging it to examine veterans’ access to Department of Veterans Affairs health care and to examine strategically how best to organize the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), locate health resources, and deliver health care to veterans during the next 20 years. In order to amplify the veteran narrative within the Commission on Care, Swords to Plowshares investigated access to VA and non-VA systems-of-care and measured perceptions of the quality of services among the Swords to Plowshares veteran community. We conducted one-on-one in-depth interviews with 22 veteran clients and staff who have accessed VA care locally and throughout the country using a human-centered design for our user research.
Opening Doors: The Federal Strategic Plan to Prevent and End Homelessness set forth an ambitious goal to alleviate veteran homelessness and poverty. The five-year plan began in 2010, and as the scheduled end came near, was amended in 2015 to reflect the learnings among communities and outline strategies to get to a "functional zero."
Where are we now in our goal to prevent and end veteran homelessness? This online seminar will discuss the national and community picture of efforts in the last five years, veteran populations most at risk, systematic responses in place throughout communities and strategies moving forward to address the unmet needs.
Presenters:
Baylee Crone, Executive Director, National Coalition for Homeless Veterans (NCHV)
Leon Winston, Chief Operating Officer, Swords to Plowshares
Megan Zottarelli, Senior Analyst at the Institute for Veteran Policy at Swords to Plowshares
Underserved: How the VA Wrongfully Excludes Veterans with Bad PaperSwords to Plowshares
Not all who have served are “veterans” in the eyes of the Department of Veterans Affairs. If the veteran has less than a General discharge, the VA creates obstacles to getting health care, benefits, homeless resources and other services. Most of these veterans are simply turned away. Congress never meant for eligibility to be so exclusive, it intended that only veterans who served dishonorably be denied access. The VA’s own discretionary policies unnecessarily deny hundreds of thousands veterans benefits, who are often those most in need of the VA’s support. These former service members are more likely to have mental health disabilities and twice as likely to commit suicide. They are more likely to be homeless and to be involved with the criminal justice system.
Key findings from the report
Marines are nearly ten times more likely to be excluded from VA services than their counterparts in the Air Force
Current era service members are excluded at higher rates than other eras-- more than twice the rate for Vietnam Era veterans and nearly four times the rate for World War II Era veterans
Mental health and combat have little effect on eligibility
3 out of 4 veterans with bad-paper discharges who served in combat and who have Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder are denied eligibility by the Board of Veterans’ Appeals
Petition for Rulemaking to Amend Regulations Interrupting Character of DischargeSwords to Plowshares
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) does not recognize all former service members as veterans. Since 2001, about 125,000 people have been discharged from active military service who do not have veteran status at the VA. This includes at least 30,000 service members who deployed to a contingency operation during their service. The rate of exclusion from VA services is higher now than at any earlier period: it is three times as high as for Vietnam-era service members and four times as high as for WWII-era service members.
Almost all of these exclusions are the result of discretionary policies that the VA itself chose and that the VA is free to modify. Congress identified certain forms of misconduct that must result in an exclusion from VA services. In addition, Congress gave the VA authority to exclude other service members at its own discretion. The VA decides which service members will require an evaluation, and it decides the standards to apply. These discretionary standards are responsible for 85% of exclusions; only 15% are due to standards set by Congress.
The VA requires an individual eligibility review for about 7,000 service members discharged each year. This currently takes an average of approximately 1,200 days to complete, and VA regulations do not provide tentative eligibility for health care in the meantime. These reviews are not automatic, though, and most service members do not receive this review at all: only 10% of the post-2001 service members who require a review have received one.
The denial rate is remarkably high. In FY2013, the VA denied eligibility in 90% of the cases it reviewed.
This webinar, dated October 28, 2015, provides behavioral health providers, veteran legal advocates, and others with an understanding of the circumstances in which veterans can become justice-involved, data on justice involvement, and California laws and treatment programs which affect veterans in criminal justice.
Veteran advocates, mental health care providers and criminal justice professionals now recognize evidence that military service-related mental or cognitive injuries may contribute to criminality.
As a result, a movement to treat rather than incarcerate veterans in eligible cases has emerged throughout the nation. California stands as a bellwether in this movement with a growing number of veteran treatment courts. In addition, the California legislature has expanded on criminal laws which provide alternative standards and sentencing for veterans with mental health trauma, and post-traumatic stress disorder is increasingly being used in criminal defense.
The character of veterans in criminal justice:
Presenter: Megan Zottarelli, Senior Analyst, Institute for Veteran Policy at Swords to Plowshares.
California legislation affecting veterans in criminal justice: Presenter: Scott Franklin, Public Defender, Sacramento County
California Veteran Treatment Courts for eligible veterans: Presenter: Duncan MacVicar, California Veterans Legal Taskforce.
Russian anarchist and anti-war movement in the third year of full-scale warAntti Rautiainen
Anarchist group ANA Regensburg hosted my online-presentation on 16th of May 2024, in which I discussed tactics of anti-war activism in Russia, and reasons why the anti-war movement has not been able to make an impact to change the course of events yet. Cases of anarchists repressed for anti-war activities are presented, as well as strategies of support for political prisoners, and modest successes in supporting their struggles.
Thumbnail picture is by MediaZona, you may read their report on anti-war arson attacks in Russia here: https://en.zona.media/article/2022/10/13/burn-map
Links:
Autonomous Action
http://Avtonom.org
Anarchist Black Cross Moscow
http://Avtonom.org/abc
Solidarity Zone
https://t.me/solidarity_zone
Memorial
https://memopzk.org/, https://t.me/pzk_memorial
OVD-Info
https://en.ovdinfo.org/antiwar-ovd-info-guide
RosUznik
https://rosuznik.org/
Uznik Online
http://uznikonline.tilda.ws/
Russian Reader
https://therussianreader.com/
ABC Irkutsk
https://abc38.noblogs.org/
Send mail to prisoners from abroad:
http://Prisonmail.online
YouTube: https://youtu.be/c5nSOdU48O8
Spotify: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/libertarianlifecoach/episodes/Russian-anarchist-and-anti-war-movement-in-the-third-year-of-full-scale-war-e2k8ai4
ZGB - The Role of Generative AI in Government transformation.pdfSaeed Al Dhaheri
This keynote was presented during the the 7th edition of the UAE Hackathon 2024. It highlights the role of AI and Generative AI in addressing government transformation to achieve zero government bureaucracy
Presentation by Jared Jageler, David Adler, Noelia Duchovny, and Evan Herrnstadt, analysts in CBO’s Microeconomic Studies and Health Analysis Divisions, at the Association of Environmental and Resource Economists Summer Conference.
A process server is a authorized person for delivering legal documents, such as summons, complaints, subpoenas, and other court papers, to peoples involved in legal proceedings.
Jennifer Schaus and Associates hosts a complimentary webinar series on The FAR in 2024. Join the webinars on Wednesdays and Fridays at noon, eastern.
Recordings are on YouTube and the company website.
https://www.youtube.com/@jenniferschaus/videos
This session provides a comprehensive overview of the latest updates to the Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (commonly known as the Uniform Guidance) outlined in the 2 CFR 200.
With a focus on the 2024 revisions issued by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), participants will gain insight into the key changes affecting federal grant recipients. The session will delve into critical regulatory updates, providing attendees with the knowledge and tools necessary to navigate and comply with the evolving landscape of federal grant management.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand the rationale behind the 2024 updates to the Uniform Guidance outlined in 2 CFR 200, and their implications for federal grant recipients.
- Identify the key changes and revisions introduced by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in the 2024 edition of 2 CFR 200.
- Gain proficiency in applying the updated regulations to ensure compliance with federal grant requirements and avoid potential audit findings.
- Develop strategies for effectively implementing the new guidelines within the grant management processes of their respective organizations, fostering efficiency and accountability in federal grant administration.
Jennifer Schaus and Associates hosts a complimentary webinar series on The FAR in 2024. Join the webinars on Wednesdays and Fridays at noon, eastern.
Recordings are on YouTube and the company website.
https://www.youtube.com/@jenniferschaus/videos
1. INSIDE SWORDS
SPRING 2017
In this Issue
Letter from Michael Blecker & Yaniv Newman
Our Impact: 2016
Fighting for Veterans Healthcare Forum
Veteran Profile: Kevin Miller
Veteran Housing Portraits
Bad Paper Update
Summer Solstice Symphony Concert
2. OUR MISSION
War causes wounds and suffering
that last beyond the battlefield.
Swords to Plowshares’ mission is
to heal the wounds of war, to
restore dignity, hope, and
self-sufficiency to all veterans
in need, and to prevent and
end homelessness and
poverty among veterans.
OUR VISION
All veterans will have access to the
care and services they need to
rebuild their lives.
···
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Yaniv Newman, Chair of the Board
Del Seymour, Vice Chair
Michael Fassler, Secretary
Julie Cane
Paul Cox
Michael Dekshenieks
Erik Edwards
Rick Houlberg
Kristina Lawson
Steve Plath
Stephen Snyder
Stacey Sprenkel
Michael Thiel
Robert Trevorrow
ADVISORY BOARD
Mike Cerre
Steve Fields
Chris Kanios
John Keker
Dudley Miller
William Millichap
Major General J. Michael Myatt
(USMC Ret.)
Craig Newmark
The Honorable Nancy Pelosi
Mark Solit
Joanette Sorkin
Carol Wilder
Roger Walther
···
Main Office
1060 Howard Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
415-252-4788
www.Swords-to-Plowshares.org
#SupportVets
Healthcare is at the forefront of all Americans’ minds this year.
Like many Americans, veterans are in jeopardy of losing access
to healthcare that they rely on. Current threats to Medicare,
Social Security, Medicaid and the VA impact those who are most
vulnerable—the elderly, the sick, the poor and veterans.
After the years following the Vietnam War, the detrimental
effects of our fellow service members’ lack of access to VA
healthcare became increasingly evident. Veterans who were
stripped of their honor and discharged with “bad paper” were
desperately looking for relief from the horrors of war, but they
were denied benefits and lacked support in the community and
from employers.
Access to care impacts our community. It means Mr. Ramirez,
one of our 2016 Profiles of Courage, finally had access to the
treatment he needed to address his post-traumatic stress, 50
years after his service ended. It means Kevin Miller, featured
in this newsletter, has one integrated health system to address
the multiple and complex injuries he sustained from three
deployments.
At Swords to Plowshares, we believe that housing is the
beginning to stable health. Getting a homeless veteran housed
in a safe environment is key to reducing the daily stress on
the mind and body after living without a stable home, and
establishes a foundation for a path to self-sufficiency. A formerly
homeless veteran who receives housing and healthcare after
years without access to support finally has the ability to
focus on their trauma and deteriorating health. When one is
homeless, the struggle to find food and shelter is a primary daily
need that overshadows all else.
Supporting veterans’ access to quality healthcare is not a
partisan issue. It’s the right thing to do. Swords to Plowshares
took up this fight 43 years ago and will continue fighting to
ensure that veterans have access to the veteran-centered care
they need, earned and deserve. Please join us to protect the
high-quality, innovative and life-saving VA healthcare system
that so many veterans rely upon.
You can help. Talk to your representatives about protecting
veteran healthcare, remain active in your community and
informed about the issues, and continue supporting the efforts
of organizations like Swords to Plowshares who advocate for
veterans.
Sincerely,
Michael Blecker Yaniv Newman
Executive Director Chair of the Board
U.S. Army, 1967-1970 U.S. Marine Corps, 1999-2003
Dear Friends & Supporters,
3.
4. Page 4 • Inside Swords Spring 2017 Newsletter
On Thursday, April 13th, House Democratic Leader
Nancy Pelosi joined the new advocacy group, Veterans
Healthcare Action Campaign, for a forum entitled
“Real Threats to Veterans Healthcare. What Can Be
Done?” Over 250 veterans, advocates and healthcare
experts packed a room in the Veterans War Memorial
building in San Francisco to listen to speakers,
including our Executive Director, Michael Blecker, and
share their concerns about the future of the Veterans
Health Administration (VHA).
Michael Blecker introduced the event
by discussing his experience as an
appointee to the congressionally
mandated Commission on Care whose
task was to consider the future of the
VHA over the next two decades. Michael
wrote the dissenting view to the
Commission’s final report supporting
the proposed “VHA Care System.” That
system would outsource and undermine
veteran-specific care for millions of
veterans. Commission members,
including hospital and healthcare
executives favored VHA privatization. Michael and
the Swords to Plowshares team recognize that this
proposal will siphon resources away from the VHA,
fracture integrated care and ultimately fail to improve
the health outcomes of veterans.
House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi warned that
privatization is a real threat to VA healthcare that
she steadfastly opposes. “We will not let them make
money off of delivering healthcare to our veterans
and that’s a promise. We’ve got to move our own
healthcare system to a more nonprofit place, rather
than moving our Veterans Health Administration to a
‘Let’s make more off our vets’ place.”
After the panel of speakers shared their concerns
with the overflowing crowd, dozens of veterans and
other concerned citizens share their stories with the
audience about the positive experiences they have
had with VHA care. While all agree that
the VHA needs to continually improve,
veterans cited instances of care they
could not have gotten outside of the
VHA.
One veteran described his struggles
after becoming addicted to pain
medications and street opiates. He was
in no position to afford residential drug
treatment outside of the VHA, and now,
he credits five years of sobriety not only
to the intensive program but also the
ongoing support he still receives every week through
his local VA.
Another described early detection of cancer spotted
through same-day, no-cost x-rays provided while
visiting the VHA for another issue. After two surgeries,
he is cancer free today. These are stories you will not
hear in the mainstream media. Veterans not only
“We will not let
them make money
off of delivering
healthcare to our
veterans and that’s
a promise.”
—Rep. Nancy Pelosi
Fighting for
Veterans
Healthcare Recap
5. Inside Swords Spring 2017 Newsletter • Page 5
talked about how great their care was at the
VHA but how it, in fact, saved their lives and was
essential to their continued well-being.
At the conclusion of the forum, the message was
clear. Veterans want the VHA strengthened and
improved, rather than dismantled and outsourced
to the private sector through expanded “choice.”
Over the next few months, discussions to expand
VHA “choice” will be taking place in Congress and
our team at Swords to Plowshares will continue to
advocate against privatization of VHA and stand
up for our veterans who rely on its culturally
competent, veteran-centered and integrated care.
“Veterans not only talked
about how great their
care was at the VHA but
how it, in fact, saved their
lives and was essential
to their continued well-
being.”
ALUMNI
Have you received
services from Swords
to Plowshares?
We want to hear from you!
Join the Swords to Plowshares Alumni Group:
http://bit.ly/SwordsAlumni
6. Page 6 • Inside Swords Spring 2017 Newsletter
“Since I’ve been diagnosed with
traumatic brain injury, PTSD and
chronic pain, there’s a lot of overlap
in symptoms and conditions. Outside
providers might be specializing in one
but not two or all three. At the VA, they
do recognize that and talk as a team for
your care and procedures.”
Veteran Profile:
Kevin Miller
Veterans like Kevin Miller don’t know what they
would do if not for the integrated, veteran-specific
care the VA offers. “I have over a dozen specialists at
the VA to address my various injuries, and at the VA I
get one-stop shopping healthcare,” Miller said.
Like many Post-9/11 veterans who have deployed to
combat multiple times, Kevin lives with a number of
injuries from his time in the Marine Corps. He served
three deployments as an infantryman, and during his
last deployment to Iraq, he sustained blast exposure
injuries resulting in traumatic brain injury and injuries
to his neck and spine.
At just 33 years old, Kevin’s body is aged beyond its
years. In addition to the chronic pain he experiences,
Kevin lives with invisible wounds as well. Like too
many of his peers, traumatic brain injury and post-
traumatic stress disorder are disabilities he lives with
daily. However, thanks to the culturally competent
specialists at the VA, he continually learns new ways
to cope and improve his life.
Chronic pain affects many Post-9/11 veterans:
• Post 9/11 Veterans carry heavy combat equipment, body armor and weaponry often exceeding a 100lbs.
• 50% of veterans with PTSD have received chronic pain diagnoses
The conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan have resulted in an increased numbers of veterans who have
experienced traumatic brain injuries (TBI):
• 60% to 80% of servicemembers who have other blast injuries may also have traumatic brain injuries.
Key Facts
7. Inside Swords Spring 2017 Newsletter • Page 7
Veteran Housing Portraits
“The ache for home lives in all of us. The safe place where
we can go as we are and not be questioned.”
Anthony B. Handy | Army: 1979-1982 Richard Bailey | Army: 1972-1973 David Zielke | Army: 1968-1970
Veterans Academy
“The VA referred me to Swords to
Plowshares. After my time at Treasure
Island’s Transitional Housing Program,
I had become so grateful to Swords
to Plowshares and the VA. The way
they worked together worked just
beautifully for me.”
—Dawn Sitka on recovering from
homelessness and depression
Located in the Presidio of San Francisco, the
Veterans Academy—which opened in 2000—is
home to 108 formerly homeless veterans with
disabilities, most of whom are seniors.
Dawn Sitka | Airforce: 1973-1981
8. Page 8 • Inside Swords Spring 2017 Newsletter
“Give it a try. You got to give it
a try. I swear it on the Bible. I’d
much rather be dead than live with
untreated depression.”
—Frank Knowlton on tapping into
VA resources to get off drugs and
alcohol
Veterans Commons
Located at 150 Otis Street in a historic city
building, Veterans Commons—which opened
in 2012—is home to 75 formerly homeless
veterans with disabilities.
Frank Knowlton | Navy: 1968-1973
Alvin Sompayrac | Navy: 1971-1972 Ronnie Peterson | Marines: 1973 George Arthur | Marines: 1985
Veteran Housing Portraits
9. Inside Swords Spring 2017 Newsletter • Page 9
Richard Hensen | Army: 1977-1979 Stephen Tillisch | Navy: 1969-1970 Stevon Williams | Air Force: 1972-1974
The Stanford Hotel
Located at 250 Kearny Street downtown, the
Stanford Hotel—which opened in partnership
with the Mayor’s Office of Housing in 2014—
is home to 130 formerly chronically homeless
veterans with disabilities.
Special thanks to Gwendolyn Morton
who volunteered her time and talents to
photograph our veteran residents.
gwendolynmortonphotography.com
Ed Hahn| Air Force: 1966-1970
“I was at Ft. Miley hospital with pneumonia,
and told them I don’t want to go back on the
streets because I was homeless and it was
wintertime. If I’d go back out, I’d die. The
VA social worker connected me to Swords to
Plowshares and fixed it so that when I was
discharged from the hospital I went straight
into housing here."
—Ed Hahn on being referred to his new
home at 250 Kearny Street
10. Page 10 • Inside Swords Spring 2017 Newsletter
Last year, our report Underserved: How the
VA Wrongfully Excludes Veterans with Bad
Paper made national headlines. Co-authored in
partnership with National Veterans Legal Services
Program and the Veterans Legal Clinic at the
Legal Services Center of Harvard Law School, our
report explained how hundreds of thousands of
Americans who served in our Armed Forces are
not considered “veterans” by the VA due to a
less than General discharge, also known as “bad
paper.”
These “bad paper” discharges create a barrier
for former service members who need access to
VA healthcare,
homeless
resources, and
other benefits
and services the
VA provides.
Veterans with bad paper discharges, many of them
combat veterans, are often in greater need of
support. They are twice as likely to commit suicide
and more likely to become homeless or involved in
the criminal justice system.
Prior to our “Underserved” report, we worked
with the National Veterans Legal Services
Program, Legal Services Center of Harvard Law
School, and Latham and Watkins LLP to submit a
Rulemaking Petition to the VA. In it, we and our
partners laid out the intent, history, and impact of
barring veterans with “bad paper” from VA care.
We requested simple amendments to the VA’s
regulations which would open up veterans’ access
to the care and benefits needed to heal from their
wounds of war.
Since the filing of our Rulemaking Petition and
the publishing of our report, many veterans and
supporters have become aware of the inequality
and injustice of the “bad paper” issue. Thanks
to pressure from the public and the veteran
community, the VA has gone as far as making an
announcement this past March that it would begin
providing mental health services to veterans with
bad paper discharges.
This was a big relief to hear. However, details of
the VA’s plan revealed that the VA does not go
far enough to increase veterans’ access to care.
So, we reached out to our fellow veteran service
organizations―Disabled American Veterans (DAV),
Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA), Paralyzed
Veterans of America (PVA), Protector our
Defenders, and High Ground Veterans Advocacy―
for letters of support for our Rulemaking Petition.
Along with support from these veteran service
organizations, we received over half a dozen
support letters from legal organizations that, like
us, provide legal assistance to veterans seeking
access to VA
services.
With the
groundswell of
support from
the public and veteran and legal community, we
hope that the VA acts on the recommendations
of our Rulemaking Petition to ensure that the VA
creates a comprehensive plan for taking care of
veterans with bad paper. We encourage all our
supporters to continue to reach out to their local
representative and senator to let them know you
think the VA should keep its promise take care of
all veterans.
To read the full report, Underserved, go to:
https://www.stp-sf.org/2016/03/30/Underserved
Bad Paper Update
11. Inside Swords Spring 2017 Newsletter • Page 11
PURCHASE TICKETS
by sending in the remit
envelope included in this
newsletter or visiting
our website!
SPONSORSHIPS begin at $500
TICKETS start at $40
Join us for an evening of music by Symphonia Caritas, benefiting Swords to Plowshares. The
orchestra will perform Beethoven’s Symphony 8 and Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto in E
minor with featured violin soloist, Ian Swensen.
DIANE B. WILSEY CENTER FOR OPERAat the SAN FRANCISCO WAR MEMORIAL PERFORMING ARTS CENTER
401 Van Ness Ave., San Francisco
JUNE 21, 2017
SAVE DATEthe
Join us on November 10, 2017for the
21st
Annual Veterans Day Dinner
Profiles of Courage Awards Ceremony
12. INSIDE SWORDS: Spring 2017
Follow Us!
Get the latest news! Visit us at:
www.stp-sf.org/get-involved
and subscribe to our e-newsletter
facebook.com/vetshelpingvets
twitter.com/vetshelpingvets
linkedin.com/company/swords-to-plowshares
youtube.com/user/vetshelpingvets
@vetshelpingvets
WAYS TO GIVE
Set up Monthly Donations
Will you consider donating $43 each month in honor of our
43 years of service? It is easy to do on our website and will
go a long way in helping our veterans in need.
Visit: www.stp-sf.org/donate and select monthly.
Double or Triple Your Donation
Many employers have a matching gift program. Some
employers may even have a double match, making your
$100 donation worth $300. Talk to your Human Resources
department for more information and consider participating
in the matching gift program. This is an easy way to make
your donation go further.
Join the Veterans Legacy Circle
By joining Swords to Plowshares Veterans Legacy Circle and
including Swords to Plowshares in your will or trust, you
can leave your legacy and give back to veterans for decades
to come. Your testamentary gift expresses your abiding
commitment to healing the wounds of war. You can also
access free resources, information and customized guides at:
www.VeteransLegacyCircle.org
1060 Howard Street
San Francisco, CA 94103