About Us

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About Us

The sustaining force behind any organization are the people affliated with it. Those who donate to or avail of the services of UURISE should know the people behind UURISE and those who work in various capacities. This is who we are!

Our Staff

Board of Directors:

Patricia Gamza, J.D.

Katia (Kathryn) Hansen, J.D.

Rev. Olivia Holmes, M.Div.

Daniel Stracka, Ph.D., J.D.

Rachael Stracka, LCSW

Officers:

President/CEO: Daniel Stracka

Vice-President: Rachael Stracka

Secretary: Patricia Gamza

Treasurer: Katia (Kathryn) Hansen

Advisory Committee:

Kathi Anderson

Blanca Arias

Gary C. Bond

George Christian

Charlie Clements

Denny (Denise) Davidoff

Dick Eiden, Esq.

R. Neil Emory, Esq.

Judith Faulkner

Dolores Gascon

Rev. Dr. Beth A. Johnson

Burton Johnson

Timothy Lavin

Michele Strickland, Esq.

George Troiano

Daniel Stracka, Ph.D., J.D.

Daniel Stracka is an attorney who specializes in immigration and refugee law. He has worked in not-for-profit legal immigration and refugee programs for 17 years. He is dedicated to assisting migrants in knowing their legal and human rights. He is an advocate for justice for those who would not have access to legal immigration representation if not for nonprofit agencies. He has worked to assist refugees to reclaim their dignity and integrity, and to become self-sufficient. Dr. Stracka has served as faculty for the American Immigration Lawyers Association and taught immigration and refugee law at two law schools. He is called on frequently by national and international, government and non-government organizations, and immigrant and refugee service agencies for his advice and expertise.

Rachael Stracka, MSW, LCSW, BCD

To be honest, the foremost reason for my agreeing to be on the Board of Directors for UURISE is that my father, Daniel Stracka, asked me. I know that he is passionate, competent, and motivated to lead an endeavor like UURISE. Ever since I can remember, people who looked, spoke, and sometimes acted different from me were always around – either visiting us, living with us, or just there. In addition to their presence, the message was always present that we are more alike than we are different.

I have since grown up, and have continued to have my own experiences. I received part of my college education in Spain, and later lived in Mexico. Interestingly enough (given the location of the UURISE headquarters), I lived in a home for migrant minors in Tijuana and worked at a community development center further inland on the border.

Since making my way back to this side of the border, I received a Masters degree in Social Work and am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in Escondido, CA. I provide therapeutic services to clients using both English and Spanish, and continually work with immigrants – documented and undocumented – who have the extra layer of immigration-related issues contributing to their stress.

I hope to make a contribution to making peoples’ lives less divided and more united.

Our Services and Programs

Legal Immigration Counseling and Representation
Refugee Resettlement Services
Asylum Applications
Family Reunification
NACARA (Nicaraguan and Central American Relief Act)
VAWA (Violence Against Women Act)
T-Visa (For victims of human trafficking)
U-Visa (For immigrant victims of violent crime)
SIJS (Special Immigrant Juvenile Status)
Naturalization/Citizenship
Referral Services for Migrants
Policy and Advocacy for Refugees and Immigrants
Outreach and Educational Programs on Human and Legal Rights

Unitarian Universalists (UUs) are a justice seeking people with a rich history of effecting change by taking social action. From Martha and Waitstill Sharp who risked their own lives to take Jews to safety during World War II, to activists who marched with the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. for civil rights in the 1960's, including Unitarian Minister James J. Reeb who gave his life in this quest. From UU congregations which provided sanctuary to Central Americans in the 1980's, to the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee's current campaign "Drumbeat for Darfur" to end genocide, UU's have stood with refugees and immigrants. We believe our social justice efforts can change the world.

Reverend Olivia Holmes

Reverend Olivia Holmes comes to the UURISE Board as a UU parish minister, former Director of International Relations for the UUA, and partner in her own international social marketing firm, through which she learned at first hand many of the cruelties inflicted on refugees and immigrants in many countries. As a Board member of the UU Service Committee, she met women who had been forced into prostitution as pre-teen children by parents who could not afford to feed them. Dan Stracka has been passionate about ensuring immigrants and refugees are served responsibly, respectfully and consistently for all of the 15 years Rev. Holmes has known him. Holmes said yes to the call to the UURISE Board in order to lend her support to this crucially important work here in the country of her birth being done in the name of her faith.

Our Location

With headquarters in San Marcos, San Diego County, California, UURISE provides services at locations which preserve client safety and confidentialty.

UURISE may be reached by email at info@uurise.org or by telephone at 760-994-8315.