Swords to Plowshares
- San Francisco, CA, USA
- https://www.swords-to-plowshares.org/
Why Swords to Plowshares?
Our executive director, Michael Blecker – a Vietnam veteran, has been with Swords to Plowshares since 1976. That speaks volumes. Michael, the board, and staff care deeply about the well-being of our clients and their colleagues. Swords upholds our commitment to Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. Working at a community-based nonprofit that serves primarily homeless individuals requires compassion. Serving those who served requires dedication. When you join our team, you become part of a mission that is driven by the compassionate and dedicated people who work here.
We've been helping Bay Area veterans since 1974
We are a community-based not-for-profit 501(c)(3) organization. We are dedicated to supporting nearly 3,000 homeless, low-income and at-risk veterans in the Bay Area every year.
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 Philosophy
Our model of care is based on the philosophy that the obstacles veterans face — including homelessness, unemployment and disability — are interrelated and require an integrated network of support.
VETERAN PROFILE
Who we serve
We serve 3,200 veterans in the San Francisco Bay Area every year. The majority are homeless, extremely low-income, older than 55, and/or have a disability.
100%
of veteran clients are low-income; 33% had no income at all prior to entering our programs
45%
of our veterans are homeless, on average for 42 months.
55%
clients are veterans of color;
42% are Black veterans
42% are Black veterans
57%
report living with a disabling condition, including PTSD and TBI