A two-time Iraq veteran, Joy came to Swords in 2016 for job support. Nearly a decade later, she runs her own security firm, hiring and inspiring fellow veterans.
Joy, who comes from a military family, was deployed to Iraq twice as an intelligence analyst. After her military service, she found her calling in the private security industry. She first came to Swords to Plowshares in 2016 for employment support while in between jobs. Now almost 10 years later, she operates her own private security firm. Her company, Diligence Security, currently has operations in Oakland, Los Angeles, and Sacramento. Much of her motivation to start Diligence came from her experiences in the military.
“There are similarities between military service and working in security. When you are deployed, you experience extreme culture shock while having to be an authority amongst a community you hardly know – security professionals are put into very similar situations. My company’s goal is to provide culturally competent services and bridge the gap between security professionals and the communities they work in.”
Joy partners with Swords’ Employment and Training team to meet and hire more veterans. By attending events like employment fairs, Joy and her company provide an example to other veterans to follow their ambitions and passion to serve others.
“Understandably, veterans can be wary and not trust us immediately – especially if they are women or struggling with mental health conditions. This isn’t only about getting veterans housed; we’re also establishing relationships with them out where they feel the safest – which may be in their tent or on a bench they frequent. It’s worth it to come out here determined to make a connection.” - Tonya Greenlee, Swords’ Outreach
From the streets of San Francisco to behind the barber chair, Zack’s story is one of resilience, community, and second chances – a reminder that with the right support, every veteran has the power to rebuild.
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