A Frankfort woman with decades of service helping veterans is being honored in the American Red Cross of Greater Chicago’s 2026 Class of Heroes.

Yvette Jones-Swanson, M.A., MRP, will be among the honorees in a dozen categories recognized during the annual Red Cross Heroes Breakfast next month at the Hilton Chicago.

Jones-Swanson is the Military Hero.

An Army veteran and founder of VetMentors, she has, for more than 22 years, been on a mission to address one of the most urgent challenges facing our nation’s veterans — access to stable housing.

Over the course of her career, she said, she has helped more than 5,000 homeless veterans secure housing, long before veteran homelessness became a widely recognized national issue.

As a licensed Realtor with Real People Realty since 2011, Jones-Swanson has continued that mission by directly placing veterans into housing, using real estate as a powerful tool to create stability for those who have served. Her work in housing began prior to joining the brokerage and has continued to expand over the years.

“I was doing this work before I joined Real People Realty,” she said.

“Real estate gave me the structure and platform to scale what I was already committed to—helping veterans find a place to call home.”

In addition to her real estate work, Jones-Swanson is the founder of VetMentors, LLC, a training, consulting, and advocacy company focused on educating others and expanding solutions in the veteran housing space.

She is also the author of the U.S. Military Veterans Educational and Resources Book Series on Amazon, designed to provide practical guidance, tools, and information for veterans and those who serve them.

Through VetMentors, she has delivered workshops and intensive training programs to service providers in 40 states, equipping organizations, professionals, and communities with the knowledge needed to better support veterans experiencing housing instability.

“What I do sits at the intersection of real estate, advocacy, and lived experience,” she explained. “I’m not just placing veterans into housing — I’m teaching others how to do this work so the impact can grow beyond me.”

A U.S. Army veteran, Jones-Swanson combines her military background with more than two decades of hands-on housing advocacy. Her approach is practical, direct and informed by personal experience.

“This isn’t just professional—it’s personal. I’ve experienced homelessness myself,” she noted. “That gave me a level of understanding that you cannot learn — it has to be lived.”

That experience now fuels her mission.

“I know what it feels like to fall through the cracks. I also know what it takes to get back up. That’s why I move with urgency when I work with veterans.”

Veterans are referred to Swanson through VA programs, nonprofits, community organizations, and word of mouth. Over time, she has built a trusted network that consistently connects her with veterans in need of housing.

While the work is impactful, it comes with challenges.

“The hardest part is navigating systems that were not designed to move quickly, while veterans are in immediate need,” she said. “There is still a gap between resources and access.”

But the outcomes make the work worthwhile.

“The most rewarding moment is handing a veteran the keys to their home. That represents stability, dignity, and a fresh start.”

Jones-Swanson is being honored at the upcoming American Red Cross awards breakfast, a recognition she views as an opportunity to bring greater awareness to the issue.

“I don’t do this work for recognition, but I do appreciate that it shines a light on what veterans are still facing — and what’s possible when we take action.”

Based in Frankfort, Jones-Swanson is also an author, publisher, and Subject Matter Expert in veteran homelessness and housing. Her work continues to expand nationally through training, education, and direct housing placement.

Her mission remains clear: “Housing is the foundation — but what we’re really doing is restoring stability, dignity, and opportunity for those who served our country.”

To connect with her, visit VetMentors online at https://www.vetmentorsonline.com, or her accounts on LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook-Realtor, Facebook-VetMentors LLC, X (Twitter) and You Tube.

The annual Red Cross Heroes Breakfast celebrates individuals whose courage and compassion have helped build stronger, safer communities across Chicagoland. This year’s event embraces the theme “Be Courageous”, recognizing everyday people who stepped forward in extraordinary ways to help others when it mattered most.

This can be in a separate box on 3.

The Heroes Breakfast was established to raise public awareness of local heroes who exemplify the values of the Red Cross. Since 2002, the organization has recognized more than 200 remarkable individuals whose selfless actions have saved lives, strengthened communities, and provided hope in times of crisis.

The event will take place on Wednesday, May 6, from 7:30 to 10 a.m. at the Hilton Chicago. Over the past 24 years, the Heroes Breakfast has raised millions of dollars to support the lifesaving humanitarian mission of the American Red Cross.

“Each year, the Heroes Breakfast reminds us that courage lives in our communities,” said Kellie O’Connell, Chief Executive Officer of the American Red Cross of Illinois.

“The individuals we honor represent what it means to Be Courageous, stepping forward to serve others, save lives, and bring hope during someone’s darkest moments. It is an honor to share their inspiring stories and celebrate the extraordinary impact they make.”

The Red Cross of Greater Chicago is honored to recognize Darrel Hackett, CEO of BMO U.S., as the Honorary Chair of the 24th Annual Red Cross Heroes Breakfast. A respected leader and advocate for community impact, Hackett’s commitment to service reflects the spirit of this year’s theme and helps elevate the inspiring stories of the local heroes being recognized.

Proceeds from the event support the Red Cross mission to prevent, prepare for, and respond to emergencies across the Illinois region. To learn more or reserve a seat, visit redcross.org/heroesbreakfast.