40 veteran success stories to coincide with Swords to Plowshares' 40th Anniversary Dinner, interwoven with a history timeline of our organization.

1. 18th Annual Veterans Day Dinner

2. Swords is established by six veterans to develop tailored
services for discharge upgrades, working with
incarcerated veterans and providing employment,
training and educational assistance.
History at a
Glance
1974

3. Vicki Hudson
U.S. Army & Army Reserves, 1979 - 2012
"My life would have taken a very
different turn, if not for the aid
and support of community
agencies. Instead of moving
forward, I likely would have
succumbed to depression and
isolation."

4. Department of Veteran Affairs Secretary Max Cleland
visits Swords to Plowshares to discuss veteran issues.
History at a
Glance
1977

5. William Boehm
U.S. Navy, 1967 - 1971
“When you go from the military
to civilian life, it's like two
different worlds. A lot of
veterans end up on the streets...
Me, I wandered through the
desert for three years.”

6. Swords becomes the first organization in 32 years
certified by the VA to represent veterans seeking
benefits.
History at a
Glance
1978

7. Sarah Oldridge
U.S. Air Force, 2003 - 2009
“I turned to Swords to
Plowshares to ask for the one
thing that most veterans are
afraid to ask for—help.”

8. History at a
Glance
1979
Swords wins one of the first PTSD cases in the country.

9. Jonathon Lee
U.S. Army, 2001 - 2005
“Being out in the world—it’s
different. Other vets understand
what I’m going through. In
Swords’ program I finally felt like
I could take care of and deal with
things. I am really comfortable
here at Swords and making the
best of my time here.”

10. Community-based organizations serving veterans
begin to rise up all over the country.
History at a
Glance
1980

11. John Page
U.S. Air Force, 1970 - 1975
“Swords to Plowshares helped
me out so much, I tell every
veteran I know to give them a
call. I got the number
memorized. 415-252-4788.”

12. PTSD is finally recognized. Prior to this time it was
called “Post-Vietnam Syndrome.”
History at a
Glance
1980

13. Jose Castro
U.S. Marine Corps, 2001 - 2005
“I thought I was okay, but I
would snap. I knew I couldn’t
keep living the way I was.
So I went to Swords. They were
awesome and gave me the
encouragement I needed. I felt
like I had someone on my team.”

14. Michael Blecker becomes the Swords to Plowshares
Executive Director.
History at a
Glance
1982

15. Mary Rivera
U.S. Navy, 1979 - 1988
“The staff at Swords was there
when everybody else turned
their backs. When I was in the
housing program, they told me
that I don’t have to worry
anymore — you are home now.”

16. History at a
Glance
1983
The Vietnam Wall is built in DC, giving overdue
recognition to the Vietnam veterans.

17. Samuel Bibbens
U.S. Army, 1960 - 1963
“I’m comfortable with my life
now. In fact, I’m enjoying my life
more today than any years
before.”

18. History at a
Glance
1980s
Michael is asked to serve on the Agent Orange
Advisory Board.

19. Eric Bossett
U.S. Navy, 1988 - 1991
“Today I have life in my hands.”

20. History at a
Glance
1984
Swords is involved with the Agent Orange Lawsuit,
which was finally settled. The Agent Orange Self-Help
Guide was also created at this time.

21. Erick Varela
U.S. Army, 2002 - 2010
“A lot of people don’t realize
that being in the military is a
lifestyle, not just a job.”

22. John Wood
U.S. Army, 1969 - 1972
“I knew I had a problem with PTSD. I
fought long and hard to get effective
treatment from the VA, and I was told
to suck it up and be a man. It took me
from 1972 until 2006 for the VA to
admit that I had PTSD. Swords to
Plowshares bent over backwards to
help me when all the others would not,
providing me with free attorney
representation.”

23. History at a
Glance
1985
Around the 10-year anniversary of the Vietnam
War’s conclusion, Welcome Home Parades began
springing up to honor veterans.

24. Mike Hofler
U.S. Air Force, 2001 - 2005
“Beyond the people killed on the
battlefield, you have people slowly
dying afterward. The people that
helped me through my darkest days
inspire me to do similar work for other
veterans.”

25. History at a
Glance
1986
Swords establishes the Health and Social Services
department thanks to public funding made available
to community-based organizations (CBOs).

26. Hobart Leet
U.S. Marine Corps, 1978 - 1982
"I respect the veterans in the
Transitional Housing Program
with me because of what they're
doing to change their lives. The
best thing about Swords’
program is that it was an
opportunity to work on myself."

27. History at a
Glance
1988
Swords begins its first housing program and
purchases some transitional housing in the
Tenderloin.

28. Frank Reynolds
U.S. Army, 1977 - 1983
“Swords to Plowshares gave me
a new start on life. With the help
of their program, I was finally
ready to change. I got clean and
sober after thirty years and
reunited with my children. I feel
like I have a whole new life.”

29. History at a
Glance
1990
Michael Blecker and other advocates founded the
National Coalition for Homeless Veterans (NCHV),
prompted the VA to begin contracting with CBO’s.

30. Marco
Concepcion
U. S. Marine Corps, 2006 - 2010
Alan Nudo
U. S. Marine Corps, 2006 -2010
“My best friend, Marco signed
me up for a training course at
Swords to Plowshares to become
an apprentice carpenter. At first I
was skeptical, but now I feel
lucky .”
“Before my deployment to Iraq, I felt like your average
proud Marine, but when I got back I was a different
person.. Once I faced the truth, I decided to get help.”

31. History at a
Glance
1992
Swords opens DeMontfort Street Transitional
Housing Program for chronically homeless and
mentally ill veterans.

32. Geoff Byrd
U.S. Air Force, 2oo1 - 2005
"Swords has helped guide me to
aid to empower myself to make
changes in my life. Here you
learn a whole new lifestyle."

33. History at a
Glance
1990s
Stand downs begin throughout California.
Swords to Plowshares was instrumental in planning
the first San Francisco Bay Area stand down event.

34. Dan Raridon
U.S. Marine Corps, 1981 - 1985
"I really appreciate the program
because it's giving me a future.
We get here and it's like a big ol'
loving family. It is the best
program I have ever been in."

35. History at a
Glance
1995
Swords partners with non-profit veteran service
providers to establish the California Association of
Veteran Service Agencies (CAVSA).

36. Stephen Hancock
U.S. Army, 1967 - 1969
“I gave Uncle Sam a blank check
up to any amount of money, up
to my life. I’ve seen a lot of my
brothers give their life. And then
to come back here, and have to
live like that?”

37. History at a
Glance
1996
The Gulf War Self-Help Guide is established by
veteran advocates.

38. Rudy Nevarez
Vietnam Era Veteran
“I got into drug addiction after I
left the service. I got tired of it
finally and it was time to quit. I
wanted a better life for myself
for what I have left. (Swords to
Plowshares) helped me find
housing so I could live on my
own.”

39. History at a
Glance
2000
Swords opens the Veterans Academy, providing
permanent homes for 102 disabled, homeless
veterans on a former Army post at the Presidio.

40. Wendy Barnett
U.S. Army Reserves 1979 - 1985
"Swords is a godsend. my saving grace.
They treat you like a whole person,
taking in everything and digging in
deeper to find the real situation in
order to help. They don't just focus on
your military service, but also what has
happened in your life since then.
They help you along the way, and have
helped me every time I needed it."

41. History at a
Glance
2000
Swords opens Treasure Island Transitional Supportive
Housing Program for 60 veterans with substance
abuse and mental health needs.

42. Josh Aguilar
U.S. Army, 2000 - 2011
"Sept. 11, 2001, represents a
dramatic shift in my life. The
hardest part of looking back to
before that time is taking a look
at who I was and then adjusting
to who I am now. My life before
that day seems like a distant
memory, like it belongs to
someone else."

43. History at a
Glance
2001
Swords’ Health and Social Services department
receives Center for Mental Health Services Homeless
Programs Branch Exemplary Program Award.

44. Sean McKeen
U.S. Army, 2004 - 2008
"It's like a culture shock
returning home, but you are
supposed to be used to it.
Unless you are in a war, nobody
can understand what it's like.
And they expect you to just
function normally by yourself
after that?"

45. History at a
Glance
2002
Governor’s report names Swords as one of the best
state programs serving the homeless.

46. Victor Fleming
U.S. Army, 1977 - 1979
“I self-medicated for thirty years. Now I
live at Veterans Commons and it is
more than my home—it’s a community
here. Being able to move in was a
miracle that’s given my life new
meaning. The people working here will
help you with anything. If you’re a vet
and you need help, we have a staff to
go to, problem solvers, I’m telling you.”

47. History at a
Glance
2003
Swords begins to recognize the specific needs of
veterans returning from the Iraq War and identifying
opportunities for growth.

48. Mark Hedke
U.S. Air Force, 1975 - 1980
"All of us here, we all have some
damage, we can all relate. We
can have each other's backs
again. We can have new lives."

49. History at a
Glance
2005
Swords establishes the Iraq Veteran Project, now
titled Institute for Veteran Policy (IVP), to meet the
needs of veterans returning from the wars in Iraq
and Afghanistan.

50. Richard Warren
U.S. Air Force
“One of the biggest benefits I’ve taken from
Swords is being around all the different
personalities and counselors who helped me
return to a good life, and who played a part in
shaping my set of values that have helped me
become successful.”

51. History at a
Glance
2006
IVP begins conducting focus groups to identify gaps
in services for military, veterans and families.

52. Ron Jones
U.S. Army, 1977 - 1983
“Swords gave me a lot of great
services and was there for me in
my time of need. Other veterans
should know that help is out
there when you are ready. You
just have to reach out for it.”

53. History at a
Glance
2008
Swords expands the IVP and begins aggressive
outreach to current-era veterans and establishes
policy objectives and research plans.

54. Kelly Chenot
U.S. Army, 1996 - 1998
“Swords to Plowshares’
permanent housing for me and
my son made a world of
difference for his and my
healing. We can move on to deal
with more in our lives ... It’s all
about living now, not just
surviving.”

55. History at a
Glance
2009
Swords expands Employment and Training services to
Oakland to better serve the large population of
OIF/OEF veterans in the East Bay region.

56. Mario Gomez
U.S. Navy, 1996 - 1998
“Swords to Plowshares goes the extra mile for people!
The services and counseling we received from them
put our train back on the track that we needed and
wanted.”

57. History at a
Glance
2009
Swords establishes the Women Veterans Program to
address the needs of a growing population of women
veterans.

58. Theodis Carroll
U.S. Army, 1989 - 1992
“Thanks to Swords to Plowshares,
I have a stable, great place to raise my kids.
That’s what’s most important to me.”

59. History at a
Glance
2012
Swords opens Veterans Commons providing
permanent supportive housing for 75 disabled
and chronically veterans.

60. Joshua Christmon
U.S. Marine Corps, 2002 - 2005
“I tried to seek out someone for
some help for two years before I
found Swords to Plowshares. It’s
ridiculous when you have to wait
so long for something’s
(veterans’ benefits) that you
deserve and that’s yours.”

61. History at a
Glance
2012
Swords opens Chinook Veteran Family Supportive
Housing, providing permanent homes for 12 formerly
homeless veteran families.

62. Michael Scallions
U.S. Army, 1972 - 1976
"Since I got help at Swords to
Plowshares I have learned things
that I never knew I could do. I
now feel like I am a part of
something."

63. History at a
Glance
2012
Swords launches into the Veteran Employment and
Training Collaborative to improve employment
outcomes for veterans throughout California.

64. Ralph Miller
U.S. Navy, 1943 - 1946
"I thought being stressed out
after war was just something
that happened, no big deal. I
never realized how complicated
it is until I came here."

65. History at a
Glance
2013
Swords expands in the East Bay to offer housing
assistance services to veterans and veteran families.

66. Eddy Wedertz Sr.
U.S. Army, 1972 - 1974
“I know the pain of hitting
bottom and now the joy of
coming back out on top...”

67. History at a
Glance
2013
Swords holds its first Veteran Employment Strategy
Summit.

68. Tony Bonini
U.S. Marine Corps, 1994 - 1998; U.S. Army Reserves, 1998 - 2004
“I never thought I was going to
make it...”

69. History at a
Glance
2013
Swords expands in the East Bay to offer housing
assistance services to veterans and veteran families.

70. Dottie Guy
U.S. Army, 2000 - 2007
“Not only does Swords to
Plowshares provide help for our
veterans in need, it also provides
a community of people who
understand what it means to
serve.”

71. History at a
Glance
2013
HUD’s Veteran Homeless Point-in-Time count shows
a 22% decrease in veteran homelessness in San
Francisco, largely thanks to the work of Swords.

72. Del Seymour
U.S. Army, 1968 - 1970
“Thanks to the innovative and
one-of-a-kind housing programs
that Swords to Plowshares has
been involved in this year, I can
actually see an end to veteran
homelessness in this city coming
very soon. “

73. History at a
Glance
2014
Swords opens “Safe Haven” housing project at the
Fairfax Hotel.

74. Caudrey Parker
U.S. Navy, 1989 - 2010
"Swords to Plowshares had
something behind its billboard.”

75. History at a
Glance
2014
Swords expands housing placement and eviction
prevention assistance in San Francisco and East Bay
with Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF).

76. Randall Flagg
U.S. Army, 1983 - 1986
“They helped me to the point that in
nine months I got a job, transitioned
out on my own doing everything I need
for me and my family. That was 19
years ago. I'm gratefully indebted to
Swords, because that's where
everything changed. That's straight
from me, from the heart. We're going
to do great things."

77. History at a
Glance
2014
Swords is operating with a budget of more than $15
million each year and employs nearly 150 employees
across seven sites to serve our veteran community.

78. Alexandra Crichlow
U.S. Air Force, 1981 - 1983
“Thankfully, with support from my
counselor at Swords to Plowshares, I
reclaimed my life. My daughter and I
left our darkest days behind.”