what we do

Comprehensive services backed by five decades of advocacy and expertise.

Our Dual Role

Service Provider and
Veteran Advocate

We're committed to veteran-centered care. Since 1974, our work has been informed by the needs and experiences of underserved veterans. Our expertise and community of veterans push us to influence systems of care at local, state, and national levels to better serve all veterans.

Our Work

We provide free services directly to San Francisco Bay Area veterans.

Our mission is to prevent and end veteran homelessness through wraparound care and informed advocacy. We understand that the issues veterans face - including homelessness, instability, unemployment, disability, and isolation - are interconnected and require comprehensive support.

Health and Community

Access to healthcare, counseling, food, and a supportive community of peers is vital for health and well-being.

Housing Support

Access to healthcare, counseling, food, and a supportive community of peers is vital for health and well-being.

Financial Stability

Securing income through employment or disability benefits is key to restoring independence and dignity.

We educate and advocate to changemakers at all levels.

From the halls of the State Capitol to county sheriff’s offices, we increase awareness of veterans’ issues and promote positive policy changes through education and advocacy.

Teaching from lived experience.

We scale our impact through free training and technical assistance to thousands of providers every year, improving their skillset to support veterans.
Sign up for veteran culture training
Informed by our direct services, we publish essential research to deepen understanding of veterans' issues and military culture.
Read and share our research

Veterans at the center of change.

Swords' reputation as a thought leader and trusted source of expertise for veterans' issues reflects five decades of community-based service delivery.

We're closely aligned with the VA in providing direct care to veterans and collaborate with foundations, corporations, providers, and coalitions to amplify our impact.

Interested in partnering with us or have a question about our policy work?

About Swords to Plowshares

We help over 3,000
Bay Area veterans YEARLY

6
Permanent Supportive

Housing sites across San Francisco

963
Veterans and thier families

Permanently housed through our diverse housing programs

$25.3M
Won in lifetime income

For vets with disabilities & free lifetime VA healthcare

95%
Job placement rate

For vets in vocational training programs