ABOUT US
ABOUT US
UNITE THE POWER OF 11 MILLION STORYTELLERS!
OUR BELIEFS
At UnitedWeStay, we believe immigrants deserve:
- A starting point for being valued for who we are, the work we do and our contribution to our community and this country.
- A way forward for gaining the necessary documentation needed to not just survive but thrive in this country.
- The economic and educational opportunities that every generation of immigrants has sought.
- An online gathering place to get up-to-date trusted news and information and to share the learning experiences of others.
OUR MISSION
At UnitedWeStay, our mission is to focus on the stories of Undocumented Americans -- to be their publishing platform, to inundate the opposition with so many stories of determination and courage that stereotypes are forever extinguished. We will zero in on the humanity of the immigration issue by providing a welcoming space for real people to tell their raw, compelling stories.
We want to inspire the Undocumented who’ve settled for a life of fear and uncertainty to stand up and tell the nation why they’ve earned a better life. We want to make their stories the news and stir the pot of complacency – to rage against social injustice and engage people in seizing the power of 11 million stories with one dream.
~Marcelino J. Miyares, Founder/Editor-in-Chief
OUR POLICIES
Privacy
UnitedWeStay does not share data with any third party. Our website has been established solely to help connect Dreamers, parents of child citizens and their families and to provide ways to overcome whatever is holding us back.
Stories
UnitedWeStay gathers, edits and posts stories from our Undocumented American storytellers. We rotate stories throughout our website to accommodate new submissions and archive all submissions. We count on our storytellers to provide accurate accounts of their experiences, struggles and successes.
Social Media
We ask that all submissions conform to civilized discourse with the purpose of sharing thoughts and stories that humanize and elevate the immigration discussion.
Responsiveness
Though we're eager to receive your stories, videos and comments and will give them the full attention they deserve, our replies may not be immediate as we staff up to meet growth. You WILL hear from us and your communications are greatly appreciated.
OUR TEAM
Compelled to Act as a United Force
All of us at UnitedWeStay have a very personal stake in working for immigration reform, in helping Undocumented Americans find a path toward living the lives we've earned with the self-evident rights we hold. We are Dreamers, immigrants, first-generation Americans and human rights activists. We believe that justice will prevail if enough of us persist.
Marcelino Jose Miyares, Founder/Editor-in-Chief
With a BA degree from Northwestern University and 30 years of corporate and entrepreneurial marketing experience, Marcelino now heads two downtown L.A. marketing firms, Direct2Hispanic and Integra Group Ventures. When Proposition 187 was put before California voters in 1994, Marcelino worked pro-bono to defeat the bill. Even though its supporters prevailed, the courts ultimately dismantled the law. From that point on, he has looked for more ways to grow public support for immigration as a human rights issue. Marcelino believes the most effective way to do this is by telling and sharing the stories of America’s undocumented. In 2014, he founded UnitedWeStay to provide a gathering place for the millions of stories that need to be told. As a first-generation Cuban-American, Marcelino knows firsthand the immigrant story. His parents fled the Castro regime and made a new life for themselves and their family in the United States more than half a century ago.
Barbara Rabinowitz, Writer/Editor
Barbara's work in marketing communications has spanned three decades and crossed corporate, educational, nonprofit and political platforms. Her most recent political work has involved growing public support for state and local issues and candidates – many of them first-generation Americans. Always an activist, she has used her writing skills to promote human rights and social justice. She has authored and edited several books and holds a master’s degree from the University of North Florida. At UnitedWeStay, Barbara works on crafting the organization’s message and helping tell the stories of the undocumented.
Jossie Catalan, Social Media Manager
Putting her bi-lingual skills to good use, Jossie works in Hispanic marketing for two downtown Los Angeles jointly-owned firms: Integra Group Ventures and Direct2Hispanic. She also manages the social media for UnitedWeStay and is the organization’s liaison with Dreamers across the country. Jossie came to the States from Guatemala when she was only three -- a long hazardous, overland journey. Eligible for DACA, she has joined the thousands of Dreamers in successfully applying for deferred action. With her experience, she encourages others to apply both on the job and through her community outreach.
Betty Martinez, Media Outreach Manager
Navigating her own difficult path to citizenship inspired Betty, who was born in Mexico, to help others find their way through the often overwhelming immigration system. Her activism has expanded to becoming an ardent supporter of Undocumented women trying to escape a violent household and fear of deportation for reporting crimes against themselves and their children. Betty is a graduate of Cal State Fullerton with a BA in communications focusing on public relations. She has gained experience through an internship at Telemundo 52, working closely with producers and learning about the issues that affect the Los Angeles community. She also worked in public relations as an account executive assistant at VPE public relations, which exposed her to Hispanic media (local and national) and nonprofit organizations. At UnitedWeStay, Betty expands public awareness of the organization’s mission and resources and works with local community leaders and institutions toward a better understanding of immigration issues.