Swords To Plowshares

Since my first telephone call I have had nothing but positive experiences with the fine people of this organization.

I’ve gotten a lot of help from here. James that mans the front desk is always professional, even when someone comes in with an attitude.

I have to be the additional bad blunt of bad news but it is reality when it comes to the type of people and the years interests involved with business that are failures like S to P. I never got any job interviews through this channel nor did anyone care, most of the workers there were cold, held high disenchantment for working there, and didn’t like the people they served (us the Veterans which they were supposed to be helping). Go figure, when you see people who just line there wallets and purses with money to just have a job and do everything half butt the business takes a hit, the big hit was called lack of motivation and was running rampaged through at this location. The laziness of people in my view were Erica who is not helpful at all, which she used her position to basically undermine her workers to move up the latter. Trash in trash out, in this society we reward trash with a higher position. She could not even write a simple resume more less know how to be a leader. Second on the chopping block Alex, very and when I say lazy I mean bum, she could not even write a simple resume and sent me leads that were always leading to no were. I don’t understand all the high remarks for this place, either people are getting paid to write ads for this company or someone is cooking the books. Talking about cooking the books I don’t know how this company is still in existence. Please don’t waste your time and money and desire to get a job her nor need these losers help go somewhere else, The EDD is a great place to start they actually FIND LEADS and do THERE job and they are not bums. Worst experience ever. Defund these con artists, trash of the trash. Good reddens. The veterans they served are being thrown under the bridge.

Lester L. Wong was one of the founding members of Swords-​to-​Plowshare in San Francisco — now no one has ever heard of him. It’s true that all of us have only 15-​minutes of fame, but he was one of the most dedicated individuals whom I had ever met in regard to this enterprise. In the words of 5-​Star General-​of-​the-​Army Douglas MacArthur in his farewell speech to Congress, Is this a very clear case of: «Old soldiers never die, they just fade away».? When our time comes to go, go we must — but there are those of us who deserve to be remembered in perpetuity, and Lester L. Wong is one such person (certainly at least at the offices of the San Francisco Branch of Swords-​to-​Plowshares.)
Respectfully submitted,
GB
COL, AG-​Ret

I’m a disabled Iraq combat veteran.
I came here for help because the cost of transitioning to civilian life was too high. I saw three advisers. I kept being deferred to different people and I believe they have a setup that is based on an assumption of homelessness. I am a smart, motivated, and an energetic individual. The non-​profit agreed to subsidize my costly schoolbooks contingent upon Kenneth Crawford saying I was working enough. During my job search, after being laid off from my previous position, he recommended employment that was below my rudimentary education level and suggested that hoping for anything else would be pointless. Kenneth Crawford’s career counseling could be evaluated by myself as the worst I’ve ever received, lackadaisical, apathetic, and self-​sustaining I ignored his advice but contingently continued to incur costs above my VA income.
I’ve completed my education, without any help from Swords to Plowshares. I’ve yoked a considerable amount of debt that I had hoped would have relieved me of a portion of the expense. A substantial amount of classes I’ve take I’ve had to forgo a textbook because Kenneth Crawford refused to help me and I simply can’t afford them.
My conclusion is that if you’re a veteran who’ve sacrificed your time and intangible assets to serve your country but you have the intelligence and energy to move forward in life don’t expect help from Sword to Plowshares. They are people who have hypothetically not served our country and are just living off the donations of those who want to help veterans and they don’t care if they take up more resources as the intermediary than the veterans receive assistance.

Very famous name in human charity.
But I guess I am the only Veteran to report a bad experience.
I was fired when I found out my 5+ year boss had been stealing up to $ 10,000 from my pay, a common SF and California problem I now learn.(A famous Silicon Valley valet co., etc.)So when I saw the Craigslist posting by STP for an «upscale» local charter bus co. Job opening, my field of expertise, I called Swords to Plowshares for the first time.
The man would not tell me the name of the «upscale» charter bus co. nor why! I called back repeatedly saying I was unemployed and needed to work to pay the rent and utility bills. I left returned calm voicemails, tho my savings were disappearing. Finally I asked a few times and was eventually allowed to leave a message on the Director’s voicemail. No response, day 2.
I am so frustrated that Craigslist and Swords to Plowshares post job offers from companies that are one way, worker demeaning, we want your personal private resume and a fresh DMV hour wait minimum printout, but will not list the hiring companies name and the job’s pay and benefits !! Just the job requirements! So one way and disrespectful of workers and Veterans !!

As a Vietnam Veteran I decided to try to help other Vets so I volunteered as an instructor at the Computer Academy at the Swords facility in the Presidio. I worked side by side with Vets to help them with basic computer skills. Watching them progress weekly was a terrific feeling for me. The Vets gained valuable skills to help them with job searches and other processes requiring basic knowledge of the computer and software. Swords to Plowshares is a program like no other. We are blessed to have them in the San Francisco Bay Area. I feel honored to have worked with these fine men and women.

Today is Veterans Day and I am a US Army vet. In honor of today I thought I should highlight how awesome Swords to Plowshares is.
Swords to Plowshares offers:
Permanent and transitional housing for vets.
Job training, counseling, and referrals for work.
Free legal services for veterans fighting to get benefits (raises hand).
Counseling and emergency care services with a focus on PTSD.
Specialized services for women vets.
Taken from the STP website:
«Veterans of the U.S. military have often taken prominent positions in society but many can also be found sleeping on the streets of the nation they once served. In fact, veterans are disproportionately represented in America’s homeless population. While they comprise only 11% of the civilian population, veterans represent 26% of the entire homeless population. Moreover, California has the highest number of homeless veterans in the country – nearly 50,000.
We work at the local, state and national level to increase access to quality services and support.
It is inexcusable that so many men and women who have served our nation are left on the streets. We strive to ensure that veterans get the respect and dignity that they have earned.»
Swords to Plowshares is an amazing organization that has been fighting for veterans rights since 1974.
Thank you for all you do, it is so appreciated.
peace, love, and good booze ~ chase

«generosity is giving more than you can, and pride is taking less than you need.»
–kahlil gibran
olivia was really friendly and helpful when i originally inquired about STP and their dedicated work for all low-​income and homeless veterans. they provide counseling, case management, employment, training, housing, social advocacy, and legal assistance to veterans who need it the most.
did you know that homeless veterans represent between a quarter to a third of sf’s homeless population? did you know that 45% of the homeless population are diagnosed with mental illnesses, including PTSD and substance abuse? did you know that some veterans are misdiagnosed for personality disorders so the military can avoid the cost of disability pay and medical care to veterans?
luckily, there are many more direct ways to help while plotting a total and complete government upheaval. visit their website for more info or to donate your effort, time, or financial support. :)

The guys who work here seem to have «been there» and so know the score when it comes to veterans. A good place to go for help, but this is mainly for homeless or really out and out poor, street, addicted, and struggling people.

Swords to Plowshares is the only veterans service agency in the United States that provides a full continuum of care. They help vets, as well as families of vets.
Being a veteran myself, I can’t truly put into words how much I want to thank these folks. They provide everything from housing to training&employment. A lot of people don’t realize just how many hurdles veterans need to endure in order to receive proper care, whether that be physically, mentally, or even economically. With 100’s of thousands of veterans seeking care, you simply get placed in back of the line. Many of those waiting for their care simply don’t even make it by the time it’s their turn. STP puts you in contact with people who can get that care to you right away. They really have our best interests at heart. Made up of veterans, old VA workers, and friends&family of service members… they truly know what veterans are dealing with.