News

Former client John Wood discusses his struggle gaining recognition for PTSD.

Grant will help assist veterans with job training and employment

By Gregg Zoroya, USA TODAY

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Finding a job

Former client Mario Cifuentes talks to the Chicago Tribune about his obstacles filing disability claims with VA.

Veterans for Common Sense (VCS) is teaming up with Congressman Bob Filner to launch a new program, “Fix VA,” to reform the Veterans Affairs Department (VA).

Veterans with disabilities face obstacles filing claims

VA Secretary Shinseki proposed a new rule to provide free healthcare and compensation to veterans suffering from medical conditions with proven links to Agent Orange.

Representatives at Contra Costa Community College discuss the green job training programs and its partnership with Swords to Plowshares

Experts, including Swords' Policy Director Amy Fairweather, discuss the benefits of Veterans Courts

Swords’ plan for Veterans Commons at 150 Otis Street.

VA’s proposed regulation, which will make several diseases with proven scientific association to Agent Orange, has the potential to expand access to free lifetime healthcare for 200,000 or more Vietnam War veterans.

Women have trouble proving combat service, making it difficult to get PTSD treatment.

Walter Williams, case manager at the Employment and Training Program at Swords to Plowshares talks about the impacts war has had on his life.

Mike Van Derwood, Outreach Coordinator at Swords and Marine, wrote an op-ed about the services and support for veterans in San Francisco. 

The Presidio Trust and Swords partner to renovate the Pet Cemetery

The Presidio Trust and Swords partner to renovate the Pet Cemetery

The VA was fined $227,500 after incorrect radiation doses were given to 97 veterans with prostate cancer at the Philadelphia VA.

In certain cases Judges prefer treatment rather than prison.

NBC talks with Swords Women Veteran Coordinator, Tia Christopher and participating artists.

African Americans are less likely than their white counterparts to be prescribed heart-protecting medications or undergo bypass surgery to treat blocked heart arteries.

Interviews with the artists and Swords staff regarding the 2nd Annual SHOUT! Art by Women Veterans.

Antiwar Activists Plan Nationwide Protests to Mark Seventh Anniversary of Iraq Invasion

The Department of Labor announced that the unemployment rate for young Iraq and Afghanistan veterans was 21.1 percent last year.

Swords spokespeople talk about the challenges veterans face finding jobs.

The VA plans to fully automate claims process for illnesses related to exposure to the chemical Agent Orange.

Vietnam veteran: "These people in the VA need to be more accountable for these delays."

The power of community-based movements supporting veterans and their families.

"Veterans Find Getting Vocational Training Sometimes Means Fighting a New Battle"

Veterans Administration, Geared to Men, Shortchanges Special Needs of Women

Female vets find the VA health-care system lacks the resources and initiative to care for women returning from duty

The Veterans Affairs Department says it will look again at the rejected claims of veterans who say their Gulf War service caused a mysterious illness, the first step toward potentially compensating them nearly two decades after the war ended.

Elinor Roberts of Swords to Plowshares says the VA is taking a fresh look at disability claims filed by veterans who fought in the Persian Gulf.

Prominent attorney John W. Keker of San Francisco's Keker & Van Nest is a Marine veteran with a combat record that Elven Joe Swisher could only dream of.

A range of health problems are linked to the pits on military bases in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America is taking its Storm the Hill campaign directly to members of Congress and administration officials to push for veterans' rights.

Were you diagnosed with PTSD while on active duty and discharged from service between December 17, 2002 and October 14, 2008? You may be eligible to join a class action lawsuit to receive disability back pay.

The number of Vietnam veteran deaths has almost doubled since 2001 - approaching 300 a day.

Swords to open new housing facility for veterans in 2012

Michael Blecker discusses the need for more funding and services for vets.

VA admitted destroying documents responsive to a May 2008 Freedom of Information Act request conscerning PTSD diagnoses.

Plagued by serious problems last year, VA says they are ready to make this year go smoother.

The military has agreed to review the records of recent veterans discharged with PTSD to decide whether they were improperly denied benefits.

Amy Fairweather at Swords to Plowshares weighs in.

Swords to Plowshares and others pursue lawsuit on behalf of Cold War Veterans.

Elderly WWII veterans still wait for approved payments in lieu of pensions the US promised during the war but reneged on paying.

Women Veteran Coordinator at Swords, Tia Christopher, lends her expertise.

"Wives of soldiers sent to war suffered significantly higher rates of mental health issues than those whose husbands stayed home"

Vet recounts her experience of homelessness, drug addiction and recovery.

Navy Doctor: The service may be discharging soldiers for misconduct when in fact they are merely displaying symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder.

Truthout.org article, New VA Statistics Show Young Veterans Committing Suicide at an Alarming Rates

Ive league schools welcome veterans on the G.I. Bill.

Initiative seeks to help veterans by providing information about available benefits and transitional workforce training.

Program participants and Swords to Plowshares Employment and Training staff members talk about the Green Job Training Program offered to recently separated veterans.

$1 increase in copayments for outpatient medications is being delayed for six months.

Amy Fairweather, Director of the Iraq Veteran Project at Swords to Plowshares shares her expertise and experience working with vets with PTSD and compounded trauma from multiple deployments.

Two wars and a recession have significantly increased the claims handled by the U.S. Dept. of Veteran's Affairs, slowing the large bureaucracy and frustrating many veterans.

Veteran and former Swords to Plowshares client, Tim Chapman, shares his story of recovery.

Two women veterans and survivors of sexual assault tell their stories and the obstacles they faced.

Swords hosts first graduation for Green Job Training program participants.

"It's not the old guys group anymore. . . It's women and it's younger, and the younger folks, they need more than just medical care."

For America's men and women returning home from Iraq and Afghanistan, transitioning back to civilian life is often a struggle.

Outward Bound offers free adventure trips to OEF/OIF veterans.

Do you have any information about testing that was done on soldiers? Please contact us.

With President Obama's announcement of sending 30,000 additional troops to Afghanistan we must not forget to plan for when the troops come home.

Obama Administration Struggling to Tackle Mental Health Crisis Plaguing Military

Michael Blecker, Executive Director of Swords to Plowshares discusses the implications of more troops being sent to Afghanistan.

Dozens of former military people recently lined up outside St. Anthony Foundation for survival gear

KTVU News talks with Michael Blecker and Walter Williams at Swords to Plowshares about PTSD and the true costs of war.

As Obama plans to announce sending 40,000 more troops to Afghanistan, Swords to Plowshares Executive Director Michael Blecker talks about the other costs of war here at home.

Patrick W. Dunne to step down early next year.

Plan calls for departments to promote veterans hiring, train hiring staffs on how to better assist vets applying for jobs, and track progress.

Interview with Tia Christopher, Swords to Plowshares Women Veteran Coordinator

WNYF: Fox News Watertown, NY interviews Tia Christopher, Swords to Plowshares Women Veteran Coordinator. Navy Veteran Speaks on Women in the Military

Amy Fairweather, Director of the Iraq Veteran Project talks about resources and needs among veterans and their families

KTVU: Amy Fairweather, Director of the Iraq Veteran Project talks about resources and needs among veterans and their families. She disscusses the rise in suicides and highlighted that suicide is actually a casualty of war.  Watch here. 

Veterans Lack Access to Health Care.  Read here

Read here

San Francisco Examiner: Veteran's Benefits 101: Where do I go to find assistance accessing my veteran’s benefits?  Swords to Plowshares is a resource for benefits.  Read here

San Francisco Examiner: Veteran's Benefits 101: Where do I go to find assistance accessing my veteran’s benefits? Swords to Plowshares is a resource for benefits.  Read here

The San Francisco Chronicle covers several of our amazing clents.

A brief history of honoring our veterans.

Aaron Glantz reports on the struggles veterans face

Michael Blecker, Swords to Plowshares Executive Director highlights the 13^th Annual Veterans Day Dinner. 

Green 960: Michael Blecker, Swords to Plowshares Executive Director highlights the 13^th Annual Veterans Day Dinner. Listen here (you'll have to click on the play arrow next to "CBasNews2"

KGO Radio: Michael Blecker talks with KGO about the challenges veterans face. Listen here (the segment starts about five minutes in)

Also, a new study finds lack of health care contributed to the deaths of 2,266 veterans last year.

Ernesto Estrada, Policy Associate at Swords talks about issues facing Iraq/Afghanistan Veterans.

Interview with Samuel Bibbens, Veterans Academy Resident and Profiles of Courage Honoree

Many veterans are adversely impacted because they lack health insurance or are ineligible for VA healthcare. Swords to Plowshares, a San Francisco-based veteran service agency, helps veterans access healthcare by providing free legal services to many veterans.

Anthony Sordini, Swords Green Jobs Coordinator talks about the Green Jobs Program

Michael Blecker highlights the indadequacies for dealing with the trauma of war.

San Francisco Chronicle applauds Swords' Permanent Supportive Housing

San Francisco Chronicle reporter, Kevin Fagan, interviews several homeless cilents at Swords Transitional Housing Program.

Today, November 10, the United States Marine Corps celebrates its 234th birthday.

Activision Blizzard announced $1 million donation to create 'The Call of Duty Endowment.'

Soldier kills 13 and wounds 30 in horrific on base shooting spree.

British study finds alcohol abuse and depression much more common than PTSD among its war veterans.

A report this week found ongoing problems at the facility, where nine patients died in surgery in six months ending in March 2007.

Secretary Shinseki unveils five-year plan to prevent and end homelessness among our veterans.

Orientation begins November 16th

While much attention is paid to men suffering from the psychological wounds of war, we too often underestimate what the women have been through.

Swords to Plowshares helps homeless veterans. Read the interview here

"For the VA, this means timely, sufficient and predictable funding from year to year."

Tia Christopher, Swords to Plowshares Women Veteran Coordinator and survivor of Military Sexual Trauma talks about her experience.

Legislation would require the VA to publish and make publicly available reports of inspections made at VA facilities.

Movie addresses the alienation and psychological pain that servicemembers can feel when returning to civilian life after duty in a war zone.

“Systems are in place, but there is no accountability. Unfortunately, I believe that there are many more stories like my father's” say's son of 91 year old WWII vet who's disability appeal paperwork was lost by VA.

Parkinson’s disease, ischemic heart disease and hairy-cell leukemia added to the list of illnesses presumed to have been caused by Agent Orange.

Free Speech Radio News talks with members of the Coalition for Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans. Listen here

Editorial focusing on veteran services and featuring the Coalition for Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans.

Interview with member of the Coalition for Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans and Tia Christopher, Women Veteran Coordinator at Swords to Plowshares.

Congress failed for the 20th time in the past 23 years to pass a Department of Veterans Affairs budget on time.

Veterans can now apply online beginning Oct. 2. Veteran-students can also request courtesy transportation to VA regional benefits offices.

VA answers a few of the most frequently asked questions concerning the emergency checks for veterans still waiting on Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits.

The California Report at KQED reports on the Veteran Career Fair. Listen here

KTVU reports from the 2nd Annual Veteran Career Fair hosted by Swords. Watch here

Veteran Career Fair Attendees seek employment in a suffering economy.

Secretary Shinseki has authorized checks for up to $3,000 to be given to students who have applied for educational benefits and have not yet received payment.

To date, the VA has made Post-9/11 GI Bill payments to only 24,186 veterans. Thus far over 277,000 veterans have applied.

"The Veterans Affairs Department said on Wednesday that it has processed less than half of the pending education benefits claims under the post 9/11 GI bill."

The VA is working to simplify the PTSD claims process

A recent study conducted by Stanford University found that rates of PTSD among service members deployed in Iraq and Afghanistan may be as high as 35%.

Joint Chiefs Chairman Adm. Mike Mullen said Wednesday he’s frustrated and disappointed with the slow pace of treatments for post-traumatic stress and other “unseen” combat injuries

Join Swords to Plowshares and companies from all over the Bay Area on Sept. 29^th

The San Francisco-based Employment and Training Department at Swords to Plowshares moved to the San Francisco War Memorial.

VA warns that it might take 6-8 weeks for new GI Bill payments

Disabled American Veterans leads virtual march on Washington

VA Secretary announces new efforts to explore health consequences of service in Vietnam

Martinez News Gazette: Swords to Plowshares begins green job training program.  Read the story here

KCBS Radio: Swords to Plowshares begins green job training program.  Listen here

San Francisco Chronicle: S.F. Memorial Day events honor the fallen
Swords to Plowshares hosted a Community Art Project in honor of Memorial Day

KPFA Evening News: Swords to Plowshares Memorial Day Event

Tia Christopher and Walter Williams talk about Iraq and Afghanistan veterans returning from combat.

Michael Blecker and Walter Williams of Swords talk about combat stress.

Members of Coalition of Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans talk about improving care for veterans.