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Last month, one of our veteran's companion animal passed away. Due to Al's fixed income, it was difficult to afford the adoption fee for a new dog. Our staff contacted Oakland Animal Services (FOAS) to request a waiver of the adoption fee. They immediately agreed to waive the adoption fee. Al visited the shelter and fell in love with Leggo, who was recently abandoned at the shelter in the middle of the night. Thanks to the generous support of FOAS and our community Al and Leggo are starting their new life together!

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Big news for our homeless #veterans! We and our partners at National Coalition for Homeless Veterans are pleased that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has announced a decision not to move HUD-VASH case management funding for the rest of the fiscal year. However, this commitment must remain in the years to come. More on this important announcement in Stars and Stripes: http://bit.ly/2H1pOGO

New VA memo nixes plan to shift $460 million earmarked for veteran homelessness
The Department of Veterans Affairs issued a memorandum this week that officially reverses plans to shift millions of dollars from a VA account dedicated to combating veteran homelessness.
stripes.com
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Videos
2017 Pro Bono Partner of the Year
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2017 Profiles of Courage: Miguel Briseño, Jr.
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2017 Profiles of Courage: Starcia Cousar
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Reviews
4.1
43 Reviews
Tell people what you think
Troy Luster
· September 27, 2017
I can only rate them based on their complete disregard of my attempts to seek their assistance and/or advice. As an OIF veteran and Purple Heart recipient I am stunned to have been ignored by this sup...posed veterans service organization. I attempted to contact them by email per their website, and received no response. I then attempted to follow-up by telephone, left them a voicemail, and again received no response - not even the courtesy to advise if they weren't taking on new clients - if that is the case. If their disregard of my attempts to make initial contact are reflective of the way they handle veterans cases then I am glad they never called me back. See More
Julian Guerrero
· September 3, 2017
Dealing with this organization's legal services has been one of the most disappointing, and above all, DEMORALIZING experiences since my less than honorable discharge from the army due to complication...s stemming from PTSD. My ordeal with STP began over two years ago when after mustering the courage and energy to begin the battle for a possible discharge upgrade, I decided to contact STP. I first met with Becca and she was assigned as my lawyer, a senior paralegal I was assured. Sitting in with her during my initial interviews and case development was Claire White, who ended up taking on my case from Becca. Between Becca then Claire they gave me hope in mentioning how strong and straightforward of a case I had. I worked with Claire for several months, into 2016, building my case. Finally it was ready for submission and I was assured it was submitted by Claire around March of 2016. I waited anxiously for months even though I was supposed to receive a docket number from the discharge review board within a month or two. Nothing was ever received. I asked Claire​ monthly about what was happening and what to do; Should we resubmit? She assured me to just keep waiting as there is usually a backlog. I continued to wait... I decided to investigate the whereabouts of my docket number from the review board and was informed that my case had never been received. I then emailed Claire in October of 2016 but was responded to with an email stating that she no longer worked for STP. I was shocked and hurt that someone I had placed so much trust in had abandoned me. I didn't know what to do from there until another lawyer (the third one), Katie Dwight, emailed me stating that she would be taking on my case. I went with the program again, though the hope and energy from me as well as my new lawyer was missing. I worked with Katie for two months, into 2017, until I received an email stating that she was no longer with STP either. Abandoned, hurt and upset, I continued to wait. Then, the final lawyer, Bradford Adams, contacted me in January, stating that he would be taking on my case. We only met a couple of mutually unenthused times until our communication was left to just a correspondence via email because there really was no need to meet anymore at that point; as per the beginning of the ordeal, my case was already strong with supporting documentation and "ready to go." I never got to wrap things up with "Brad," as he too stopped responding to my emails and abandoned me as well... I am at a loss. I write this in the hopes that no other veteran be caught off guard when dealing with this organization, and with the possibility that STP realizes the harm they have caused, because​ as per other reviews, I am not the only one this has happened to.

—Julian, US Army/OEF Afghanistan veteran See More
Chris Burgess
· October 17, 2017
This is by far the best organization I have stumbled upon yet! Keep up the good work ladies and gents! #hopeshot
Jeremy Lobdell
· April 1, 2016
As a Veteran, these type of programs are what's needed the most. It's easy to sit back and complain about the VA, but this organization truly leads from the front.
In light of the recent negative pub...licity given to some of the other large Veterans Groups, people should re-evaluate where their donation will do the most good.
It's donating to a group like Swords to Plowshares that your contribution will have the most impact for our Veterans, it will help those who need it most, not line the pocket of a executive. See More
Christopher Watts Sr.
· August 23, 2017
I've Received Various Services From Swords Since 1994. And I've always been treated with dignity and respect. And I can also now ad Employment to that list!
Casey Sparks
· August 3, 2016
I've been working with Swords on a program evaluation project for a graduate course at SF State. Their staff are professional, friendly, engaging, passionate about what they do and dedicated to servic...e to the community and an altruistic mission. We need more organizations like them, doing the work they're doing to make our region better every day. See More
Kate O'Weber
· June 26, 2014
I have witnessed FIRST HAND the change in the Veteran Community because of those at Swords. They gave a grant to my local rape crisis center and Women veterans with Military Sexual Trauma are being h...elped. The Va is also picking up the pace. Thank you Swords for your support of my advocacy, education and outreach.

That Shout! event was so amazing. I loved the beautiful pics of the soldier in uniform breastfeeding. Next day, this came out I was informed about the Ca Guard changing regs to allow mothers to pump while in the field. Bless the souls that made this happen for being so transparent and sharing the struggles of motherhood in that male dominated and misunderstood time for all women who are serving. What an environment to try and take good care of your body.
Thank you Swords for all you do for military and veteran women.
Kate Weber See More
Erin LaPorte
· August 6, 2014
I think the work you do is wonderful! I need to thank you for raising the issue of phony "personality disorder" discharges! I got one such discharge in 2002 - and I was never diagnosed with such a di...sorder, nor can I find any records that I had such a diagnosis. The Board of Corrections is a sham!
I would like to talk to someone about this ...I would like to get justice!
Thanks for raising this issue -- I know about it first hand! It happened to me! See More
Stacy Latimer
· August 26, 2016
I spoke to one of your attorneys via email. She set a time to call to discuss my husband's discharge upgrade/VA claim case the next day. It's been over a month. I hate that I even mentioned it to my h...usband giving him false hope and more disappointment. I've also wasted nearly 6 weeks waiting for a phone call instead of searching for another orginization to help. Coincidentally, my emails aren't being replied to now either. See More
Peter Guzman
· April 28, 2017
It has great recovery programs in SF for veterans, if a veteran is homeless and has a problem with alcohol or substance abuse they can help you get your life together, they helped me.
Joe Cee
· July 18, 2016
There seems to be a little offered here but not for the $16 million per year funding it gets from the government.

When I went there they signed me up for programs, likely to get funding but I got no ...help. its smoke and mirrors, or like a cardboard house or one of those hollywood sets looks good from the outside but not much substantial help.

Millions of dollars that could go to housing homeless veterans pays people to work at these organizations to sit in an empty office or schedule appointments for months in advance but no tangible help received by the clients

I consider these programs stealing millions of dollars from actually helping homeless people. A professional hustle, extorting money from homeless veterans that dont get housing and it doesnt cost $1 million a year to house 1 homeless person. these organizational "non-profit" programs are white collar criminals See More
Jeff Dean
· January 26, 2017
Swords to Plowshares is a great organization providing help to the veterans in San Francisco who are too often looked over.
Molly McCloskey
· September 26, 2016
Great services, even better employees. A true life line for veterans and their families.
Virgil Clifton
November 26, 2011
Great Organization and my best working experience. Learned Veteran benefits on this job by assisting Vets for the benefits they so deserve. It was my occupation for years and I loved it! Marty Shannon... was the creator of Swords. She is the best!!! See More
Harold Miller
· August 13, 2016
I just don't complain I do something about it damn that's why I like this organization they do something !
Marti MacGibbon
November 30, 2011
Swords to Plowshares levels the playing field and changes lives! This program for veterans is outstanding and inspirational! I am deeply grateful to have worked for Swords as a counselor! I learned va...luable lessons about courage and commitment from the vets and continue to benefit from what I learned. Swords will continue to grow and prosper, because this program works! See More
Herman Ewing
· March 10, 2016
With the 5 STAR information ya offer here and being in the VA System since 1971 your information is right up there with the best and I have been a LIFE MEMBER OF DAV since 71 ! THE MOST SATISFYING W...ORK......HELPING VETERANS ! 5 star to ya and am honor to say it to the few who do for OUR BEST OUR VETS ! THANKS from this NAM VET ! See More
Gabriel Iturbe
· September 7, 2016
I love working for this incredible organization!! The words homeless & Veteran do no belong together.
Devon Bailey
· May 26, 2014
Happy Memorial Day to all the veterans over at Swords!!
Jerry Merrick
· August 29, 2015
My dream job come true......Service God and our fellows.
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