Veteran Resources

Why Veteran Peer Support

    As a United States Marine Corps veteran who served during Operation Enduring Freedom (2001–2005), I understand that life after military service can bring unexpected challenges. My own journey has included recovery from substance use, homelessness, involvement with the justice system, and rebuilding my life through the support of the VA and veteran-focused programs.

 

    Those experiences don't define who I am—they help me connect with others who may be facing similar obstacles.

Today, my mission is to encourage hope, share practical knowledge, and help veterans and individuals discover the resources, skills, and support available to move forward.

Refferals

The Problem

    Veterans and their families may have access to valuable resources, but they don’t always know what is available, where to start, or who to contact. Traditional resource systems often depend on the person already knowing where to look.

 

The Solution

    BayWay develops a human referral network embedded within the community—connecting veterans and their families to useful information, resources, organizations, and people through everyday community relationships.

 

    Through events, businesses, organizations, families, and veteran-to-veteran connections, BayWay creates natural opportunities to inform, refer, connect, and follow up.

The result is a practical network where a simple conversation can lead to the right information, the right person, and ultimately the right resource.

BayWay turns community engagement into human connection—and human connection into access to solutions.

Veteran Resources Outside the VA

Swords to Plowshares

 

Alameda County Veterans Services 

 

Free support for Bay Area Veterans 

 

Swords to Plowshares helps Veterans with housing, VA benefits, employment, healthcare, and basic needs. 

 

Who Can Use It? 

 

Bay Area Veterans can seek services regardless of discharge status, VA eligibility, or service era. 

Some programs have additional eligibility requirements. Staff can help determine what you may qualify for. 

 

What They Can Help With 

 

🏠 Housing
Emergency housing, housing assistance, rental assistance, and eviction prevention.

 

đź’° VA Benefits & Legal Help
Help with VA benefits claims, appeals, service connection, pensions, and discharge upgrades.

 

đź’Ľ Employment
Job training, career support, employment connections, transportation, work clothing, and tools.

 

❤️ Health & Support
VA healthcare navigation, mental-health support, case management, peer support, meals, and other basic needs.

 

How to Start 

 

Call or visit the Oakland Veterans Center. 

 

Swords to Plowshares — Oakland Veterans Center


330 Franklin St., Suite 100
Oakland, CA 94607
510-844-7500
Monday–Friday • 8:30 AM–4:30 PM

 

Don't know what program you need? That's okay. 


Tell them what is happening and what you need help with. They can assess your situation and connect you with the appropriate service. 

 

BayWay Resource Notice 

BayWay provides this information for educational and community-resource purposes. BayWay does not determine eligibility or provide Swords to Plowshares services. Contact Swords to Plowshares directly for current eligibility, availability, and program information.

Life Moves

 

Eeven-Eleven Veterans Homeless Lodge — San Carlos

 

Eleven-Eleven Veterans Homeless Lodge is a Veteran-focused interim supportive housing program in San Carlos, operated by LifeMoves in partnership with the U.S.
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

 

The program provides temporary housing and supportive services for Veterans experiencing homelessness while they work toward stable, permanent housing.

 

What the program provides:
-Private, furnished living units with a bed, couch, desk/workspace, kitchenette, and private bathroom
-Case management and housing navigation
-Assistance connecting with VA benefits and healthcare resources
-Employment and job-development resources
-Connections to behavioral-health and community support services
-Assistance pursuing permanent housing opportunities, including HUD-VASH when appropriate

 

Eleven-Eleven is part of the broader VA Health Care for Homeless Veterans (HCHV) system. It is intended to serve as a bridge between homelessness and permanent housing rather than as permanent housing itself.

 

How Referrals Work

 

Placement is generally referral-based. Veterans may be referred through VA homeless-services programs, Veteran outreach organizations, and other community partners. Eligibility, screening, and placement depend on the Veteran’s circumstances and available program resources.

 

Veterans experiencing homelessness or at risk of homelessness can contact the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877-424-3838, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to be connected with VA homeless-services resources.

 

Connection to HUD-VASH

 

Eleven-Eleven and HUD-VASH are separate programs, but they can be part of the same housing continuum.

 

Eleven-Eleven provides interim supportive housing, while HUD-VASH combines housing assistance through the Housing Choice Voucher program with VA case management and supportive services for eligible Veterans.

 

For Veterans who qualify, interim housing can provide an opportunity to stabilize while working with VA and housing professionals toward permanent housing.

 

BayWay provides this information for educational and community-resource purposes only. BayWay does not administer Eleven-Eleven, determine eligibility, make housing placements, or provide VA or HUD-VASH services. Veterans should contact the VA or the appropriate program provider directly for current eligibility and referral information.

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