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Every $1 you donate results in $20 in direct VA benefits for veterans.  

Legal advocacy is a lifeline for veterans. Achieving a discharge upgrade or claims approval means access to a lifetime of care – eligibility for housing and jobs, monthly disability income, and healthcare that is tailored to address veterans’ service-related conditions.  

Many veterans need legal assistance to get connected to VA healthcare and benefits. Some can’t navigate the bureaucracy on their own; others have been unjustly denied benefits because of their discharge status, or a claim denial. They need expert representation – that’s where our trained staff attorneys come in.  

Veterans with service-related health conditions shouldn’t be denied disability income and healthcare. Those who enlist – or were drafted – deserve the resources our government promised them. But instead, veterans are facing new threats to their VA care and benefits. Especially women, veterans of color, LGBTQ veterans, and those with mental health conditions.

As access becomes more uncertain, these veterans need your support more than ever. Will you go above and beyond to help us keep the promise the government made them? By donating today, you invest in free legal services for those who served – opening doors for veterans in need of healthcare, disability income, housing, and jobs.

I know you agree that these veterans deserve their fair share in accessing the resources and care they earned. Legal services are a critical tool to right a shameful wrong. Let’s help achieve justice for veterans together.

Every gift – big or small – keeps legal services strong for veterans. Thank you for providing a lifeline to a veteran in need of legal support!

Thank you,

Tramecia Garner,
Executive Director
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Tax ID / EIN: 94-2260626 | As a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, your donations are tax-deductible to the maximum extent permitted by law.
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Veteran Perspectives

real life stories

Learn more about the veteran clients seeking legal support. The identities of these two veterans have been removed to protect their anonymity. Nevertheless, their stories are powerful examples of what veterans face when they have been isolated from and denied VA care.  

Note: To respect the privacy of those we serve, the images used are for illustrative purposes only and do not depict actual clients.

U.S. Marine veteran

This veteran, who is Native American, joined the U.S. Marine Corps to escape poverty on the reservation where he grew up. During his service, he survived a brutal sexual assault and struggled to cope with the shame and anger he felt. His military performance deteriorated, and when he exited the military, he received a less than honorable discharge. Having no access to VA benefits after service, he struggled with homelessness and alcohol abuse. He came to Swords for help with obtaining VA eligibility and access to healthcare.

U.S. Navy veteran

During her time serving in Iraq, this U.S. Navy veteran survived a sexual assault and endured ongoing sexual harassment. Although she had three years of good service, she exited the military with an other than honorable (OTH) discharge status due to one-time marijuana use. Because of this discharge status, she was denied access to VA healthcare or disability income. When she got connected with Swords, she was fleeing domestic violence, living in emergency shelter, and surviving on General Assistance as her only income.