About Center for Workers’ Rights

Mission and Vision

Our vision is a community in which workers are respected and treated with dignity and justice. To bring that vision into reality, we provide legal representation to low-wage workers, advocate for initiatives to advance workers’ rights, and promote worker education, activism, and leadership in the greater Sacramento area.

Our History

The Center for Workers’ Rights opened its doors in August of 2014 with the commitment to the improvement of working conditions for all low-wage workers and their families. Founded by Mariko Yoshihara and Daniela Urban, the Center focused on offering its free-of-cost services to all low-wage workers, focusing on the city of Sacramento and surrounding areas specifically, regardless of citizenship status. As the Center grew, we increasingly engaged in advocacy efforts at the city and state level, helping to bring necessary changes to the legal protections for workers. We continue to bring together workers and engage with new communities to broaden the organization’s impact.

Who We Help

The Center is open to all workers regardless of immigration status. Income guidelines determine eligibility to receive our free and reduced-rate legal services. We assist those workers most vulnerable to workplace abuse, including undocumented immigrants, pregnant people, caregivers, people of color, victims of domestic violence, and members of the LGBTQ community. We focus our work on the greater Sacramento area.

2022 Center for Workers' Rights Service Map

Staff

Daniela Urban (She/Her)

Executive Director

Daniela Urban is the founder and executive director of the Center for Workers’ Rights. Ms. Urban runs the Center’s workers’ rights clinics. She advocates for changes in California’s unemployment insurance benefits program and facilitates the statewide network of unemployment advocates who have met weekly since June 2020. Since 2015, she has been a member of the Coalition of Low Wage and Immigrant Worker Advocates (CLIWA) coordinating committee. Previously, Ms. Urban worked as a labor lawyer, representing public and private sector unions in Los Angeles. From 2009-2012, Ms. Urban was an editor of the Berkeley Journal of Labor and Employment Law, serving as Co-Editor-in-Chief in her final year. She is co-author of the article, “Workplace Violence and Harassment for Low-Wage Workers,” in the Berkeley Journal of Employment and Labor Law. Ms. Urban received her B.A. from Scripps College in 2005 and her J.D. from University of California, Berkeley School of Law in 2012.

Gabriel Hernandez (He/Him)

Operations Manager

Gabriel started at the Center for Workers Rights as a temporary Programs Administrator, and is now the Operations Manager. His interest in working with the Center stems back to his studies in Labor History at San Francisco State University. Gabriel has spent many years actively engaged in the struggle for workers’ rights and the fight for unionization at Starbucks and Apple in San Francisco, along with other campaigns focused on dignity for all workers, policy work, and political efficacy and education.

Erica Zermeno (She/Her)

Programs Administrator

Erica Zermeno is a program administrator of the wage claim clinic at the Center for Workers’ Rights and assists in policy advocacy and daily operations. Her work primarily supports the wage & hour programs: coordination of the wage claim clinic and direct client services. Before joining CWR Erica interned in political and research nonprofits in Sacramento. Her professional goal is to advance social and economic equity for low-wage latinx communities. In her spare time, Erica enjoys walks in the outdoors, especially in national parks.

Laura Navarro (She/Her)

Programs Administrator

Laura Leon Navarro is a program administrator for the Center for Workers’ Rights. Her primary work is coordinating outreach for our team to keep us connected to the community and to community partners. Her primary goal is to help bridge the gap between the worker and important information about their workplace rights. Prior to joining the team Laura worked in a community that helps the underserved youth. In her spare time, Laura enjoys spending time with her family and friends.

Kimberli Bautista (She/Her)

Programs Administrator

Kimberli is a program administrator for the Center of Workers Rights. Her primary focus is researching and connecting with other organizations to share CWR’s mission and vision to the larger community. In doing so, workers and organizations are able to obtain the help they need. Kimberli graduated from the University of California, Davis where she obtained her Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science – Public Service. She looks forward to helping and providing support for her community.