ABOUT

At the forefront of this initiative is Yvette Jones-Swanson, an Army veteran and dedicated Realtor, as well as a Military Relocation Professional (MRP) with a passion for empowering veterans in the real estate landscape. Having faced homelessness herself multiple times as a veteran, Yvette brings a unique understanding of the challenges many veterans encounter. With an extensive background in Marketing/Public Relations and a Master’s Degree in Human Resource Development/Instructional Design, she specializes in military relocation, first-time home buying, and real estate investing.

Since 2006, Yvette has been committed to educating veterans about homeownership, successfully facilitating the transition of HUD/VASH participants from assistance programs to proud homeowners. As a full-time broker with Real People Realty since 2011, she has been instrumental in guiding veterans from the challenges of homelessness to the stability of homeownership. Through her organization, VetMentors, LLC, Yvette continues to provide invaluable education and support to veterans, helping them navigate the complexities of real estate transactions. She also assists investors interested in initiating programs at their facilities or acquiring properties one home at a time.

Yvette and her team of professionals have conducted over 200 veterans housing and home buying workshops at the Forest Park Vet Center, along with hundreds more at various Vet Centers, VFW Posts, Chicago City Colleges, Cook County Corrections, Federal Corrections Facilities, and various municipalities and townships. Recently, Yvette has expanded her impact with the release of the NATIONAL Military Veteran’s Educational and Resources Guide Book Series, offering veterans essential tools and insights for successful homeownership. As a testament to her commitment and expertise, Yvette has been awarded certifications including SDVOSB (Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business), VOSB (Veteran-Owned Small Business), WBE (Women Business Enterprise), MBE (Minority Business Enterprise), and others. VetMentors is also proud to be an SBA certified and VA verified company.

Her contributions have been recognized in various media outlets, including features on WGN9 Remarkable Woman 2025, NewsNation and WVON 1390 Chicago. Additionally, she has been honored as one of the "25 Women Veteran Leaders in 2025" in the State of Illinois and recognized as a Woman of Distinction by the Chi Lambda Lambda Chapter, an unincorporated association of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.