SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 17 Vets-housing-program
Swords to Plowshares' transitional housing graduation with keynote speaker Michael Pritchard
SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 17 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Thirteen formerly homeless veterans will graduate this Thursday from a transitional housing and rehabilitation program run by the non-profit organization, Swords to Plowshares.
Michael Blecker, Swords to Plowshares Executive Director, will be joined by staff, friends and family of graduates to honor the accomplishments of these veterans. "I am pleased to see another group of veterans graduate from the program with the dignity and confidence they need to finally break the cycle of homelessness," Blecker said.
The graduates of the program, all formerly homeless or chronically homeless veterans, have spent an average of sixteen months overcoming addictions, mental health issues and other serious obstacles. The Transitional Housing Program graduates have acquired the skills and resources needed to secure housing, seek employment and improve the quality of their lives. Of the graduates, five are pursuing higher education, four are working full-time and one graduate has already completed his Certified Nursing Assistant degree. Swords to Plowshares is also helping all graduates transition into permanent or privatized housing.
Swords to Plowshares' Transitional Housing Program Graduation Ceremony and Dinner will be held at the Green Room of the San Francisco War Memorial Building. The graduation ceremony begins at 6:00 pm and is followed by a dinner with the graduates. Michael Pritchard, nationally acclaimed comedian and motivational speaker, will be the keynote speaker at the event.
San Francisco War Memorial Building
Green Room
401 Van Ness Avenue (across from City Hall)
Thursday, November 20th
6:00 pm -9:00 pm
About Swords to Plowshares Transitional Housing Program
Swords to Plowshares' Transitional Housing Program is located in four multi-unit homes on Treasure Island and in two houses on Demontfort Street near San Francisco City College. The Treasure Island facilities are located on a decommissioned Navy base situated on the beautiful San Francisco Bay. Here, formerly homeless veterans live in clean, sober, and safe housing and receive a broad range of supportive services. Residents work with clinical staff, educators, case managers, substance abuse counselors and importantly, each other, to achieve stability and develop the skills necessary for economic independence and personal growth.
War causes wounds and suffering that last beyond the battlefield. Our mission is to heal the wounds, to restore dignity, hope, and self-sufficiency to all veterans in need, and to reduce homelessness and poverty among veterans. Learn more about the work of Swords to Plowshares, and ways in which you can help, by visiting our website at www.stp-sf.org.
For more information, please contact:
Colleen Corliss, Communications Manager
Phone: 202-415-6101; Email: ccorliss@stp-sf.org
SOURCE Swords to Plowshares
