Dear Friends & Supporters, Housing is essential to our mission of ending poverty and homelessness among veterans, but the availability of affordable housing in the San Francisco Bay Area is scarce. This scarcity is well-known and has created numerous challenges in trying to end veteran homeless. Over the last six years, we have made tremendous strides and have housed more than 40 percent of all homeless veterans in San Francisco. This reduction has occurred while the city has grappled with a 23 percent overall increase in homelessness. At any given time, we have the capacity to house 441 veterans. With a new housing site in Mission Bay, we will be able to house another 62 veterans and 56 families. We are proud to announce that we will be breaking ground on our eighth housing site in Mission Bay on November 21st. Most of the veterans who reside with us are seniors who earn less and are typically more disabled than non-veterans of similar age and situation. However, we recognize that veterans with histories of chronic homelessness have unique needs and require wrap-around care. Under this model, we work to foster a community that is supportive and engaged, providing veterans with access to resources they need to become self-sufficient. The path to self-sufficiency starts with housing but as you will find out, it does not end there. This path can include mental health or substance abuse counseling, support groups, educational programs, workshops, and engaging in a wide array of community activities. In this issue, we have featured community activities to show our supporters an inside look at our residents’ lives and how these activities are an essential part of their reintegration to society. We have also featured volunteer engagement activities that have helped give us the opportunity to beautify the housing sites where our veterans live. Swords to Plowshares has operated successful housing programs since 1987 and will continue to work to end poverty and homelessness among veterans. Please join us in our mission to end veteran homelessness by speaking with your local representative voicing your support for more housing for veterans and sharing any news and events about us online to help us generate awareness about our cause. Thank you, Michael Blecker Executive Director U.S. Army, 1967-1970

1. INSIDE SWORDS
5 Pro Bono Attorney of
theYear 9 Volunteers Make a
Difference 11 Special Projects in
Employment Services
Swords to Plowshares Fall 2017 Newsletter
6 Resident
Engagment
Events
Concert for veterans
Veterans Day Parade SF Pride
Resident Art Contest
BBQGiants game

2. 2 Inside Swords
Letter from the Executive Director
Michael Blecker
Executive Director
U.S. Army, 1967-70
Dear Friends & Supporters,
Housing is essential to our mission of ending poverty and homelessness among
veterans, but the availability of affordable housing in the San Francisco Bay
Area is scarce. This scarcity is well-known and has created numerous challenges in
trying to end veteran homeless. Over the last six years, we have made tremendous
strides and have housed more than 40 percent of all homeless veterans in San
Francisco. This reduction has occurred while the city has grappled with a 23 percent
overall increase in homelessness.
At any given time, we have the capacity to house 441 veterans. With a new housing
site in Mission Bay, we will be able to house another 62 veterans and 56 families.
We are proud to announce that we will be breaking ground on our eighth housing
site in Mission Bay on November 21st. Most of the veterans who reside with us are
seniors who earn less and are typically more disabled than non-veterans of similar
age and situation. However, we recognize that veterans with histories of chronic
homelessness have unique needs and require wrap-around care. Under this model,
we work to foster a community that is supportive and engaged, providing veterans
with access to resources they need to become self-sufficient.
The path to self-sufficiency starts with housing but as you will find out, it does not
end there. This path can include mental health or substance abuse counseling,
support groups, educational programs, workshops, and engaging in a wide array of
community activities. In this issue, we have featured community activities to show
our supporters an inside look at our residents’ lives and how these activities are
an essential part of their reintegration to society. We have also featured volunteer
engagement activities that have helped give us the opportunity to beautify the
housing sites where our veterans live.
Swords to Plowshares has operated successful housing programs since 1987 and
will continue to work to end poverty and homelessness among veterans. Please
join us in our mission to end veteran homelessness by speaking with your local
representative voicing your support for more housing for veterans and sharing any
news and events about us online to help us generate awareness about our cause.
Thank you,

3. 21
ST
ANNUAL VETERANS DAY DINNER &
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2017
OF COURAGE
AWARDS
SAVE
THE
DATE
Tickets at swords-to-plowshares.org/veterans-day/tickets/
Veteran & Family Housing
Groundbreaking Ceremony
Join us in celebrating
the groundbreaking of
our newest supportive
housing site
Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2017
11am
1150 3rd Street
SAVE
THE
DATE
Photo Credit: LMS Architects

4. 4 Inside Swords
Allen (Al) Naethe is a formerly homeless veteran who has
made his home at one of our supportive housing programs
since 2014 after spending years chronically homeless in San
Francisco. Last May, Al’s companion animal, a mixed-breed
rescue named Bente, died from old age. Al was devastated to
lose his closest companion.
All of our veteran residents are formerly homeless veterans with
disabilities who typically live on just $1,000 a month. Al too lives
on a fixed income, which made it difficult for him to afford the
adoption fee for a new companion animal. Our staff contacted
the Friends of the Oakland Animal Services (FOAS) to tell them
about Al’s recent loss and advocate on his behalf. The staff at
FOAS were very compassionate and agreed to waive the adoption
fee for his new companion.
Our staff then took Al to visit the shelter in Oakland in hopes he
would find his new best friend. On his visit, Al immediately fell
in love with Leggo, a dog who had recently been abandoned at
the shelter in the middle of the night. Thanks to the generous
support of FOAS, Al was able to find a new best friend in Leggo,
who provides him with love, comfort and the encouragement he
Veteran receives new companion
(Above) Al and his former companion dog,
Bente, in March 2017.
(Left & Right) Al Naethe with his recenlty adopted companion dog,
Leggo.

5. 5Fall 2017
Seth Neulight, a partner in the
San Francisco Office of Nixon
Peabody, received the Bill Brockett
Pro Bono Award from Swords to
Plowshares on September 14,
2017 for his outstanding work with
veterans.
We presented the award at our legal
reception, held at the law firm of
Keker, Van Nest & Peters LLP. The
annual award is given to a volunteer
attorney for their outstanding
service to veterans and dedication
to Swords to Plowshares’ Veterans
Pro Bono Program. The award is
named in memory of William “Bill”
Brockett Jr. who co-founded Keker,
Van Nest & Peters LLP along with
John Keker.
“Swords to
Plowshares
does
incredible
work every
day to support
our nation’s
veterans,”
Neulight said.
“They have developed a terrific
pro bono program that delivers
desperately needed legal services to
veterans, and I’m thankful to work
with a law firm that supports the
community.”
Seth Neulight has served as an
active and dedicated member on
Swords to Plowshares’ Pro Bono
Advisory Board since 2015. He
has provided excellent pro bono
representation to multiple veteran
clients on VA service-connection,
discharge upgrade, and pension
matters, and has rallied many of the
attorneys in his firm to do the same.
Seth has also provided invaluable
legal advice
and counsel
to Swords to
Plowshares
on an
organization-
wide level.
“We honor
Seth for being
a champion of pro bono services
at Nixon Peabody,” said Barbara
Saavedra, Interim Legal Director of
Swords to Plowshares. “I’m sure
that no one feels the importance of
Seth’s dedication more than his own
pro bono clients, for whom he has
achieved significant, life-changing
results.”
Seth Neulight Named Pro Bono Attorney of the Year
I’m sure no one feels the
importance of Seth’s
dedication more than his own
pro bono clients, for whom he
has achieved significant, life
changing results.”
“
(Left) Pro Bono Attorney of the Year, Seth Neulight, with Swords to Plowshares’ Executive Director Michael Blecker,
Swords to Plowshares’ Staff Attorney & Pro Bono Program Manager Cathy Wong and Keker, Van Nest & Peters LLP
Partner Jamie Slaughter. (Middle & Right) 2017 Legal Reception Guests at the law firm for Keker, Van Nest & Peters
LLP.

6. Our new Resident Engagement and Activities Coordinator, Robin Love, is a veteran herself who exemplifies
our vets-helping-vets approach. She has made it her mission to get our veteran residents in supportive
housing out of their rooms and participating in fun activities in group settings. This type of engagement
will continue to help build community and camaraderie among the veteran residents, while also working to
prevent isolation and loneliness.
RESIDENT
ENGAGEMENT

7. 7Fall 2017
Keeping up-to-date with the comings and goings of the residents in our permanent supportive housing sites can
be challenging, especially with over 300 residents spread out over the city. The veterans at the Stanford Hotel
and Veterans Commons have come together to produce resident newsletters, written, designed and published
by the veterans, for the veterans! The Downtown Lowdown, written by residents of the Stanford Hotel, features
a “Veteran’s Voice” column highlighting new residents. “Malloch’s Memories” is a featured spread highlighting
the historical aspects of the neighborhood and the city long before skyscrapers and BART were ever a possibility.
Veterans Commons’ publication, The Uncommon Warrior, is filled with colorful and poignant artwork by residents
as well as the “Poets’ Corner” and an appeal for more residents to participate in each issue.
Resident Newsletter
Cooking may be the way to someone’s heart, but it’s also the way to a veteran’s
stomach. Residents at the Stanford Hotel enjoy celebrating sporting events such as
the Super Bowl in January with a spread of hot wings. On the other side of the city at
the Veterans Academy, Robin Love led a cooking demonstration with residents and
the results were quite tasty. Dishes such as “Academy Award Wings” and “A Sailor’s
Kitchen Sink Deviled Eggs” brought together residents to learn how to utilize their
grocery delivery from The San Francisco/Marin Food Bank, as well as show off the
culinary talents to their fellow residents!
Cooking Demonstrations
Another wonderful activity was a recent fishing trip to Spring Lake. Six veterans gathered
on a Friday morning for a day of sunshine, recreation and some fish! Samuel Bibbens
who lives at the Veterans Academy in the Presidio, was fully prepared with his hat, vest,
poles and tackle box and excited to catch some fish. Other residents, such as Allen (Al)
Naethe and his service dog Leggo, went on the trip for the fresh air and time outside in
nature. Residents didn’t need to have a fishing pole and tackle box ready to go like Mr.
Bibbens. With her hard work and many phone calls, Robin was able to rent fishing gear
and purchase one-day fishing licenses for everyone who wanted to participate.
Fishing at Spring Lake
For some residents, the process of putting pen to paper or paint to canvas is not just
creative expression. The activity can help to process their experiences in the armed
services. Residents at Veterans Commons hosted an art show in May, featuring a wide
variety of artwork and skill. Resident Victor Fleming’s painting of famous scientist Albert
Einstein was a favorite, with many residents bringing their best forward for all to enjoy.
Veterans Commons Art Show

8. 8 Inside Swords
All of our residents are formerly homeless, and all have disabilities and live on limited incomes. Staff
members at Swords to Plowshares want to engage our veterans with more activities, but our funds are
limited. Some of the activities our residents have attended have been made possible through generous
donations, but many needed supplies are paid for out of pocket. This is where we need your help! Can
you donate any of the items on our Wish List?
Boat charters (for fishing, sailing,
bay tours)
Camping (camp sites, tents,
chairs)
Amusement park tickets
Bowling
Veterans memorial sites
(museums, ships, aircrafts)
Broadway plays and
performances at local theatres
(SHN, Golden Gate, ACT, etc.)
Restaurant gift cards for group
outings and celebrations
Train rides
Local interest tours and
museum passes
Kites, bocce ball, lawn
darts
BBQs and picnics
Bingo sets and prizes
Karaoke machines for
resident singing contests
Therapy animal visits
Activity Wishlist

9. 1 2
3 4
5 6
= 10 volunteers
= 10 volunteers
= 100 volunteers

10. DIDYOU
KNOW?
Did you know that many corporations match their employees’ volunteer hours and
personal donations? A group of volunteers can band together to earn a donation to Swords
while helping spruce up a housing site or serving a meal to a veteran in need. Talk to your
HR or community relations team to learn more! Email us at volunteers@stp-sf.org for more
information.
(Top Left) Salesforce volunteers collaborated
with Swords to Plowshares staff to strip,
sand and paint six resident apartments in
July 2017. (Top Right) Board Member Del
Seymour and family members volunteer at
2016 Veteran Holiday Luncheon in San
Francisco. (Middle Left) Salesforce
volunteers stripping apartments, preparing
to remove 160 cubic yards of materials.
(Middle Right) Blue Shield volunteers clean
walls in preparation for the Veterans
Academy repainting project in April 2016.
(Bottom) Volunteers serve veterans at 2016
Veterans Holiday Luncheon in San Francisco.
10 Inside Swords

11. 11Fall 2017
Employer Driven Process
Job Brokering Process
Strategic Hiring Event
Employment partnerships play
an essential role in Swords to
Plowshares’ ability to increase
employment opportunities for
veterans. In 2016, our Special
Projects team was created
to focus on veterans who are
underemployed or in low-wage,
limited growth careers and do not
qualify for traditional employment
services.
Our team collaborates with
employers who have hiring needs
to provide employment services to
include: outreach and recruitment,
screening and matching all
qualified candidates with positions
that best fit a veteran’s aptitude,
experience, and geographic
proximity to work, and assist with
on-boarding and training services.
In the last six months we have
had three major employment
opportunities through the Special
Projects Program. Thank you to our
employment partners :
•Genentech & Genomic Health
•Chevron
•Facebook
Employment &
Training Initiatives
If your company or organization
would like to partner with Swords
to Plowshares to provide a
similar employment opportunity
for veterans, please email us at
employment@stp-sf.org.
If you are interested in upcoming
opportunities through Swords to
Plowshares, follow us on Twitter at
@jobsforvets and
@vetshelpingvets.

12. VETS HELPING VETS SINCE 1974
Swords to Plowshares
1060 Howard Street
San Francisco, CA 94103
How to give:
Set up Monthly Donations
Will you consider donating $43 each month in
honor of our 43 years of service? It is easy to do on
our website and will go a long way in helping our
veterans in need. Visit: www.stp-sf.org/donate and
select “monthly.”
Double or Triple Your Donation
Many employers have a matching gift program. Some
employers may even have a double match, making
your $100 donation worth $300. Talk to your human
resources department for more information and
consider participating in the matching gift program.
This is an easy way to make your donation go further.
Join the Veterans Legacy Circle
By joining Swords to Plowshares Veterans Legacy
Circle and including Swords to Plowshares in your
will or trust, you can leave your legacy and give back
to veterans for decades to come. Your testamentary
gift expresses your abiding commitment to healing
the wounds of war. You can also access free
resources, information and customized guides at:
www.VeteransLegacyCircle.org
Stay Connected
Follow us to get the latest news! Visit us at:
www.stp-sf.org/get-involved and subscribe
to our e-newsletter.
facebook.com/vetshelpingvets
twitter.com/vetshelpingvets
linkedin.com/company/swords-to-
plowshares
youtube.com/user/vetshelpingvets
@vetshelpingvets
12 Inside Swords