First UU Church of San Diego
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SOLACE

Souls Offering Loving And Compassionate Ears

Through the SOLACE Interfaith Detention Center Visitation Project, volunteers provide a caring and compassionate presence and affirm the humanity and value of people held in detention. SOLACE is an affiliate of Freedom for Immigrants (formerly CIVIC), a national organization with the goal of exposing and abolishing immigration detention.
SOLACE
SOLACE Statement on COVID-19 at Otay Mesa Detention Center (published 4-30-2020)

Our Purpose

SOLACE visiting the Otay Mesa Detention Center
SOLACE is a visitation program that comforts and supports persons held in immigration detention, tells their stories, and advocates for humane immigration policy. SOLACE offers a friendly visitor to end the isolation and affirm the dignity and worth of those we visit, not as lawyers, social workers, bankers, therapists, or missionaries. We visit at the Otay Detention Facility owned by CoreCivic (formerly the Corrections Corporation of America), a for-profit prison company. Currently, people in detention are not entitled to legal representation or a speedy appearance in court, are isolated from their family/friends and vulnerable to abuse. They may be held indefinitely while backlogged immigration judges hear their cases. A more humane system is possible, and necessary, and SOLACE seeks to bring to light the suffering in the current system. To this end, SOLACE also collaborates with other organizations that are working for humane treatment and justice for immigrants.

"There are moments when you stand on the brink of a new experience and understand that you have no choice about it. Either you walk into the experience or you turn away from it, but you know that no matter what you choose, you will have altered your life in a permanent way. Either way, there will be consequences." ~ Dennis Covington  

Meetings

SOLACE volunteers meet monthly to discuss issues related to visitation. Regular orientations are held for those who are interested in learning more about the program and potentially becoming visitors.
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Get Involved

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Visiting asylum seekers and immigrants detained in an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) or private prison is challenging and extremely rewarding. First and foremost is knowing that through our simple presence and friendly listening, we can ease the distress of someone isolated from their loved ones. It’s a transformative experience—we make contact with people and worlds we would otherwise never know. SOLACE is a great way to act on your UU principles and "let service be your prayer". We heartily invite you to join us! Please contact the SOLACE Coordinator to get started.

Who to contact

Kathy Smith karefree47@gmail.com
​
​Lay Leaders
Soledad "Chole" Diaz 
Kathy Smith
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(619) 298-9978  |  Staff Directory
Hillcrest campus 4190 Front Street, San Diego, CA. 92103  |  South Bay campus 970 Broadway, Chula Vista, CA. 91911
  For GPS to our Hillcrest Campus, please use 298 W Arbor Dr., San Diego, CA 92103
For directions, parking and more see our Contact page.
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©2004-2019 First Unitarian Universalist Church of San Diego. All rights reserved. Admin.
  • Home
  • Worship
    • Messages
    • Online Worship
    • Participate in a Service
    • Principles & Sources
  • Connections
    • Welcome Newcomers! > >
      • Visiting First UU
      • What is UUism?
      • Become a Member
    • Groups from A-Z > >
      • Affinity Groups
      • Archives
      • Art Guild
      • Christian Study Group
      • Earth Centered Spirituality Circle
      • Looking Glass Theatre
      • Meditation
      • Men's Fellowship
      • Neighborhood Groups
      • UU Seniors
      • Wisdom Circles
    • Member Networking
    • Listening Circles
    • Restorative Process
  • Music
    • Vocal Ensembles
    • Handbell Ensemble
    • Children and Youth Music Program
    • About Our Music Team
  • Education
    • Children's RE > >
      • Family Ministry Library
      • Children's RE Registration
    • Adult Faith Formation
    • Family Ministry > >
      • All Church Camp
    • Youth Programs
    • Young Adult & Campus Ministry
    • Our Whole Lives (OWL)
    • SD Co-op Preschool
  • Programs
    • Caring
    • Food Pantry
    • Larger UU Connections > >
      • Denominational Relations
      • Friends of De Benneville Pines
      • Philippines Partner Church
      • Transylvania Partner Church
      • UU Service Committee
    • Leadership Development
    • Social Justice > >
      • Social Justice Executive Team
      • Climate Justice
      • Generosity Offerings
      • Organizing for Justice
      • Palestine-Israel Justice Group
      • Rainbow Action
      • Reproductive Justice
      • Sanctuary
      • SOLACE
      • Uptown Community Service Center
    • Ushering
  • Giving
    • Donations > >
      • Pledging
      • Planned Giving
      • Donate Your Vehicle
      • Donate Flowers
    • Dining for Dollars D4$
    • B&B Program > >
      • B&B Guest Registration
      • B&B Hosting > >
        • B&B Host Application
    • Specialty Sale
    • Shop and Support!
  • News
    • Front Street Productions
    • Blog
    • The Window - Weekly Bulletin
    • First Words Magazine
  • About
    • For Members > >
      • Member's Login
      • Board Login
    • Our Ministers
    • Our Staff
    • Calendar
    • 150th Celebration
    • Facilities > >
      • Campus Maps
      • Ceremonies
      • Hillcrest Campus
      • South Bay Campus
      • Facilities Use Request Form
    • Forms
    • Governance > >
      • 8th Principle
      • Journey Toward Wholeness > >
        • Black History Month
      • Reopening Team
      • Strategic Planning > >
        • Funding our Future
        • Visioning The Future
    • Our History
  • Contact
    • Ministers and Staff
    • Website Update Form
    • MAG Contact Form
    • Privacy and Terms