Swords to Plowshares is the most comprehensive veteran service agency in the country. The nonprofit has fought for justice on the behalf of veterans since 1974. In addition to providing direct services, it has a long and proud history of advocating for veterans affected by everything from post traumatic stress disorder to Agent Orange to homelessness.

"It is imperative that the public understands that while the Veterans Administration provides excellent care, they do not provide all services to all veterans," says Colleen Corliss, Resource Development and Communications Director. "Many veterans do not utilize the VA; others aren't able to access it."

Each year, Swords to Plowshares provides direct services to more than 2,500 Bay Area veterans, including those in the Tri-Valley area. These services include supportive housing; housing and eviction prevention services; counseling and case management; employment and job training; and legal benefits advocacy.

"Our vision is that all veterans will have access to the care and services they need to rebuild their lives," says Corliss

Swords to Plowshares offers legal services via expert in-house staff attorneys and pro bono attorneys who help veterans with disabilities secure the VA healthcare, disability benefits, and pensions they rightfully earned. Veterans from the Tri-Valley area are among those who have taken advantage of the Swords to Plowshares Medical-Legal Partnership held at the Oakland Vet Center on Wednesdays.

On that day Alameda County veterans can seek legal assistance with VA benefits such as disability compensation benefits, a VA character of service determination, or a discharge upgrade. In addition to honorable and dishonorable discharges, there are three other three types of discharges, which are often the result of minor behavioral or job performance issues. Those discharges can ban veterans from benefits they earned and healthcare they need, which is why a discharge upgrade can be vitally important to a veteran's well-being.

In 2017, the nonprofit won $16.3 million in VA benefits and pension for veterans with disabilities, placed 160 veterans in jobs, provided 1,567 nights of emergency housing to veterans and their families waiting to secure permanent housing, helped 529 veterans and their families secure permanent housing and another 189 avoid eviction, and provided supportive housing to another 697 formerly homeless veterans with disabilities.

Swords to Plowshares is a fiscally lean organization. A minimum of 85% of its funds go directly to serving veterans. In 2017, a total of 2,706 San Francisco Bay Area homeless, low-income, and at-risk veterans were served at two drop-in service centers, seven supportive housing sites, and four legal clinics. Of the veterans served, 46% enrolled in more than one program and 27% of them were post-9/11 veterans.

On June 19, 2018 Swords to Plowshares will be hosting the 2nd Annual Summer Solstice Symphony Concert at the San Francisco War Memorial Building, Herbst Theater. The concert will be a joyous evening of music by Symphonia Caritas, a professional orchestra that plays to improve the lives of those in need. All proceeds will go toward services for veterans. Ticket sales begin in April.

For more information about Swords to Plowshares and its Summer Solstice Symphony Concert, please visit www.swords-to-plowshares.org.