Swords to Plowshares was started in 1974 by six veterans whose guiding principle was that veterans must never again be treated as second-class citizens, such as they were after the Vietnam War, and that war in general causes wounds that last beyond the battlefield.
Swords to Plowshares is a community-based organization whose programs have evolved to meet the changing needs of veterans. With the country now involved in armed conflict, our programs will remain among the most needed in our society.
1974 - 1984 : The decade of neglect
The public did not want to be reminded of the “dirty little” Vietnam War and could not separate their negative feelings about the war from the soldiers. Vietnam veterans were not only rejected by the public, but also by groups like the VFW, American Legion and the VA. This was a time when policy affecting veterans was controlled by these agencies which blatantly neglected and villainized Vietnam veterans.
- 1974: Swords is established by six veterans concerned with the unmet needs of Vietnam veterans
- Swords develops tailored services for discharge upgrades, working with incarcerated veterans and providing employment, training and educational assistance
- 1978: Swords becomes the first organization in 32 years certified by the VA to represent veterans seeking benefits
- 1979: Swords wins one of the first PTSD cases in the country
- 1980: Michael Blecker becomes the Director of Swords
- 1980: Community-based organizations serving veterans begin to rise up all over the country
- 1980: PTSD is finally recognized. Prior to this time it was called “Post-Vietnam Syndrome”
- 1983: The Vietnam Wall is built in DC, giving overdue recognition to the Vietnam vets
- 1980s: Michael is asked to serve on the Agent Orange Advisory Board
- 1984: Swords is involved with the Agent Orange Lawsuit, which was finally settled. Vietnam Veterans. The Agent Orange Self-Help Guide was also created at this time.
1985-1995: America is awakened to the hardships of Vietnam veterans
The American public began discussing the Vietnam War and made concerted efforts to understand the struggles veterans faced during combat and coming home. Also, during this time public funding allowed community-based organizations to provide housing to homeless veterans. Programs for homeless veterans began to build momentum and support with the help of the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans.
- 1985: Around the 10 year anniversary of the Vietnam War’s conclusion, Welcome Home Parades began springing up to honor veterans
- 1986: Swords establishes the Health and Social Services department thanks to public funding made available to CBOs
- 1988: Swords begins its first housing program and purchases some transitional housing in the Tenderloin
- 1990: Michael Blecker and other advocates founded the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans. This led to a broad understanding of the growing population of homeless veterans and prompted the VA to begin contracting with CBOs to offer housing programs and emergency housing.
- 1992: Swords opens Demontfort Street Transitional Housing Program for chronically homeless and mentally ill veterans
- 1990s: Stand downs begin happening throughout California, enabling groups like Swords to reach out the homeless veteran population
1995-2005: Veteran service organizations began maturing and gaining recognition
Prior to the 1980s the VFW and American Legion were the only veteran service organizations with any clout. The movement of homeless veteran advocates, the availability of public funding and the new generation of Gulf War veterans created inroads for groups like Swords.
- 1996: The Gulf War Self-Help Guide is established by veteran advocates
- 1997: Dan Fahey exposes military records that prove the military’s knowledge of the harmful effects of depleted uranium
- 2000: Swords opens the Veterans Academy in the Presidio for 102 disabled, homeless veterans
- 200: Swords opens Treasure Island Transitional Housing Program for 60 veterans with substance abuse and mental health needs
- 2001: Swords Health and Social Services department receives Center for Mental Health Services Homeless Programs Branch Exemplary Program Award
- 2002: Governor’s report names Swords as one of the best state programs serving the homeless
- 2003: Swords begins to recognize the specific needs of veterans returning from the Iraq War and identifying opportunities for growth
2005-Present: Lessons Learned and preventative care for OIF/OEF veterans
With our country currently in conflict in Iraq and Afghanistan, veteran advocates and service providers are expanding services to develop preventative care for the youngest generation of veterans. In addition, we as a nation are reflecting upon the mistakes we made when Vietnam veterans returned from war and are implementing policy initiatives that reflect our lessons learned. Today, Swords is equipped with rich history and expertise that helps us drive policy at the local and national level.
- 2005: Swords establishes the Iraq Veteran Project (IVP) to ensure that systems of care are appropriate, sufficient, and accessible to meet the needs of veterans returning from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan
- 2006: IVP staff members begin conducting focus groups in California to identify gaps in services for military, veterans and familes
- 2007: Swords is awarded IADIF grant to expand the Iraq Veteran Project and provide direct services to Iraq and Afghanistan veterans
- 2007: Swords recognizes the value of a nationwide network of care for veterans and their families, thus establishing the Coalition for Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans (CIAV)
- 2008: The CIAV hosts first national conference in Washington, DC to work in collaboration with service providers to identify the gaps in services for military, veterans, families and survivors impacted by the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan
- 2008: Swords expands the IVP and begins aggressive outreach to current era veterans and establishes policy objectives and research plans
- 2008: Swords positions itself as veteran experts driving policy with the help of Combat to Community, collaboration with state entities such as the California Association of Veteran Service Agencies and building relationships with federal agencies
- 2008: Swords authorized to develop Veterans Commons at 150 Otis Street for aging veterans
- 2009: Swords expands Employment and Training services in the East Bay and SF War Memorial
- 2010: As 40,000 more troops are being deployed to Afghanistan, researchers, policymakers and the general public develop a deepened interest in the issues affecting Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans (mental health, VA benefits, multiple deployments, unemployment, homelessness and much more)
