Join us Thursday, November 14th for SFIC's Monthly Breakfast, 8:00

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Monthly Breakfast November 14, 2024

Join us on Thursday, November 14, 2024

8:00 am - 9:30 am

Heritage Hall // St Mark's Lutheran Church

(1111 O'Farrell Street // SF/CA 94109)

Parking is available at St. Mary's Cathedral

(1111 Gough Street, SF/CA 94109)

Please print the Parking Permit below and place it on your dash.

Please do not park in the St. Mark's Lutheran Church lot.

Print Parking Permit

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Breakfast Host

Compassionate Community Care

Welcome/Reading of Interfaith Statement

Michael G. Pappas, Executive Director

San Francisco Interfaith Council

Reflective Moment

John McKnight, US Navy Veteran

Community Engagement Senior Manager

San Francisco Human Rights Commission

Celebrate Swords to Plowshares and Executive Director,

Michael Blecker's 50 Years Advocating for Veterans

in San Francisco

Coinciding with the annual US observance of Veteran's Day, the November 2024 SFIC Monthly Breakfast celebrates Swords to Plowshares and its Executive Director Michael Blecker's 50 years of service supporting and advocating for veterans in San Francisco.

Michael Blecker will reflect upon and examine Swords’ major milestones including establishing the country’s first permanent supportive housing site for veterans in the Presidio of San Francisco. He will also discuss the issues the organization aims to tackle as it prepares for his retirement and imminent leadership transition: including advocating for veterans with ‘Bad Paper’ and the national threat of VA privatization.

Featured Presenter Michael Blecker, Swords to Plowshares

Michael Blecker (U.S. Army, 1967-1970) has been with Bay Area-based Swords to Plowshares since 1976 and served as its Executive Director since 1982. Under his leadership, Swords to Plowshares has grown from a small organization with a budget of $75,000 to a national leader in veterans' services, now operating with an annual budget of over $30 million. His commitment to supporting veterans has earned him a nationwide reputation as a leading expert on veterans’ rights and homelessness.

Blecker co-founded the National Coalition for Homeless Veterans and the California Association of Veterans’ Service Agencies and has served on numerous advisory committees and commissions. His advocacy and leadership have shaped national policies on veterans' care, from access to VA services to addressing the needs of veterans without housing.

Faith Journey

Colonel (ret.) Deborah Dacumos, SFIC Board Member, SF Veterans Affairs Commissioner, St. Dominick's Catholic Church

RSVP Here

Your hospitality is welcome and encouraged!

We are seeking breakfast hosts for March - December 2025

For more information and to sign up as a host, please email SFIC's Program Associate: sharondemko.sfic@gmail.com