Marcie Polier Swartz
Founder and Chairwoman Emeritus of Village for Vets
Village for Vets is helping to ensure that Los Angeles’ homeless and at-risk veterans aren’t susceptible to more pain and trauma. Through everything from meal support and emergency grants to guidance for basic needs and links to additional services, Village for Vets works to fill in any critical gaps found in the key services for homeless and at-risk veterans.
What motivates you to pursue this kind of philanthropy? I’m motivated from deep within due to my brother Brad receiving multiple diagnoses after his discharge from the Navy in 1999. I began accompanying him to all of his appointments at the VA and, after he was stable, I looked around and saw so many vets at the VA alone and not supported.
You’re an inspiration to so many — who has most inspired you? My brother, of course. He’s one of my best friends and a total inspiration. Taking meds is a serious full-time job and his life is so full of friends and family because he has chosen to be vigilant about his meds. My husband is my other inspiration. He taught me that giving locally was every bit as important as trying to be philanthropic globally.
Best advice for someone looking to give back and get involved in their community: Quiet your mind and listen to your heart. What is in there? What thoughts spark a heartfelt smile from within? If your giving back is heartfelt and authentic, it will be a bullseye for you.
What impact do you most hope to leave on the world? I hope my work lives on. And if it does, I’ll know that it wasn’t just a momentary event. I also hope to help the VA eliminate veteran homelessness.