Verna Burton is a Chicago native who served in the U.S. Navy. Last summer, she had been looking for a career change and started to research employment opportunities outside of Chicago. During her search, she came across a position at McGee Air Services at the San Francisco Airport. The job entailed providing air services ranging from marshaling planes to customer service operations. She found the position interesting and applied.

Eventually, Burton landed the job and was slated to relocate and start around mid-October 2017. With her impending move to the San Francisco Bay Area, she began her housing search online, found a place, put down a security deposit and made her way out to San Francisco.

Everything seemed to be going well, until Verna arrived in San Francisco and found out that the place she had put her security deposit down on was a scam. Out of money and nearly out of hope, Verna searched for resources for Veterans to try to avoid a night on the streets. Verna came across Swords to Plowshares and frantically made her way down to our main office, entered our drop-in center just about two minutes before closing and broke down crying.

Verna’s tears wouldn’t last long, as our drop-in coordinator, LaJune Davis, consoled her and told her how we could help in this dire emergency. Together, they filled out all the applications immediately, found emergency housing for that night and scheduled another appointment for the following day to help secure a permanent solution.

Over the course of the next couple weeks, Verna worked with our staff to not only find permanent housing through the VA’s Supportive Services for Veteran Families (SSVF) program, but also receive other critical services like food and travel vouchers, as well as financial assistance to purchase equipment that was necessary for her upcoming job. Thanks to the work of our staff, Verna started her new position without the extra stress of possibly becoming homeless in an unfamiliar area with a low supply of affordable housing options.

Verna has now been at her job for over six months and has already received a promotion. Verna couldn’t express how pleased she was with her experience at Swords to Plowshares, stating that, “the staff is just great and fantastic. Everyone was just wonderful and awesome. You all covered just about everything I needed and I am forever grateful.”


IMAGE: Kevin C. MillerKevin C. Miller is the media relations specialist at Swords to Plowshares, with the responsibility of managing all of the organization’s external communications. He spent four years in the United States Marine Corps and is an Iraq combat Veteran with three overseas deployments. He has a bachelor’s in recreation administration from Humboldt State University and a masters of public administration  from San Francisco State University.

 

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6 Comments

  1. Tina VillarreL May 25, 2018 at 08:19

    I am a woman army veteran with a 13 year old son. I have had a horrible couple years
    I was experiencing some horrible medical issues that caused me to basically be debited in the bed often when not in the hospital and the Dr really had no answers. Finally after 6 yrs I was diagnosed with a rare disease. Ism close to homeless. Need help to get on my feet and allow me to concentrate on treatment to get well.

    I

  2. Terrance May 24, 2018 at 15:44

    Ia am a 55 year old US Army Veteran who recently moved to Rochester, NY with my wife of nearly 35 years who is disabled due to stroke. I am here care provider. My car recently broke down and need repairs. I am without transportation need for doctor’s vistits and work. Can anyone pass on a referral? Thank you! God Bless!

  3. Karen Kirkpatrick May 18, 2018 at 15:27

    SSVS is useless here in Alaska. It is run by Catholic Social Services and they always say they can’t help with housing or anything else.

  4. Walter Evans May 18, 2018 at 12:24

    I need help with my housing and bills I a veteran of the Marines an I just started a business an using my savings to start the business and opening a checking and business account and paying for general liability insurance For the business cable bill Cell phone bill bills, bills! Can you help please! I have dd214 and veteran acknowledgment but am not affiliated with the VA

  5. Tony Neal Dunlap May 18, 2018 at 10:03

    I am a 61 year old US Navy Veteran. I’ve been homeless for the past year. I am no longer able to work due to the severity of the Osteoarthritis in both my knees and shoulders. My disability claims have been turned down because of the years in which I served on active duty. I am in need of immediate assistance!! Please contact me with any and all information that would be of assistance to me. Thanks

    • Gary Hicks May 18, 2018 at 11:22

      Mr. Dunlap,

      I have passed your contact information along to some folks that can possibly help. They will be in touch.

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