About Us
Who we are
What is Daruma?
Daruma is a traditional Japanese doll, often recognized as a symbol of persistence and resistance against adversity.
This is the core concept of our organization and working ethics towards our goal, since it requires time and effort from all of us to win this big fight against homelessness and poverty.
Fight Against Homelessness
On every given night, more than 500,000 individuals are sleeping on streets, without a roof over their head.
We have been aware and addressing this crisis for decades now, and our government has conducted numerous programs to solve this problem, but it doesn’t seem to be slowing down. In fact, the problem is worsening, with almost no solution in sight.
NPO Daruma, a 501(C)(3) nonprofit organization, was founded by our founder, Masayuki Ueda, along with SD Daruma Inc., with eagerness to help those in need, and a belief that we can put an end to this long fight against homelessness and poverty by working together.
Our Vision
We work to establish an equitable, sustainable, and flourishing economic cycle and an enduring comprehensive system which promises stability and continuous growth for everyone.
We work with our brother organization, SD Daruma, Inc., to develop a new town centering a railroad station and redevelop areas currently occupied by encampments.
This transit-oriented compact town will be a home for thousands of displaced people including homeless individuals and families, and other vulnerable populations, and serve as a comprehensive foundation where all essential resources are integrated, such as housing, jobs, education, health care and addiction treatments.
A town where everyone has a place to call home, a job to make a living, education to brighten the future, and life to enjoy.
Redevelopment of areas that have been occupied by encampments will take place to transform those areas into an inclusive high-tech city with numerous fascinating attractions to appeal to new residents, businesses and visitors. This will also promote economic growth by providing more job and business opportunities.
100% of the Daruma Inc.’s profit will be given back to the community and used for public good and greater social schemes.
What we do:
Comprehensive, inclusive, lifelong education
While SD Daruma, Inc. focuses on the development of infrastructure, we provide services to help homeless individuals and families become productive members of this newly developed community.
We will provide extensive training, coaching and education which will guide them and on which they can rely, not only through the difficult and unique path toward independence, but also throughout their whole life.
The foundation to build life upon
Through partnership with other social service organizations, we will work to coordinate personalized programs to support each individual’s unique path toward independence. While working to provide access to fundamental resources such as housing, health care and legal services, these programs may also include practical education on health management and financial coaching. We believe that these can help homeless individuals develop skills necessary to lead their own independent, healthy, and fulfilling life with confidence and purpose, and be the solid foundation to build their lives upon for the prosperous future.
For the Future With No Homelessness
We understand the complexity of the crisis.
Homelessness can be defined as a housing problem, as well as a healthcare problem, social problem, and all possible combinations of these and other issues.
We aim to not only provide means to overcome surfacing problems, but also help those in need transform their lives permanently.
We are here to help them become independent, healthy, productive well-being full of hope and potential, and pave their own path toward the future with economic stability and self-confidence enhanced by education.
Our Team
Masayuki Ueda
– CEO, Founder
35 years of experience in real estate development both in Japan and the U.S., including developments in the Tokyo urban area and renovation projects in San Diego.
Founded SD Daruma Inc. in 2019 and NPO Daruma in 2021, after accommodated extremely low-income families and individuals in one of his properties for 10 years to support the City of San Diego’s Affordable Housing Plan, which led him to the realization of the severity of economic inequality, the urgency of the homeless crisis, and the demand for the definitive solution.
Thomas Vajda
– Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer
Supporting Daruma’s project through his real estate expertise. Broker Associates and San Diego office manager for Person Realty, Inc. providing clients with residential and commercial real estate services including property management. With his real estate expertise, he will support Daruma and its partners to find and accommodate future sites where the homeless and low income people could call home based on Daruma’s vision and philosophy.
Akinobu Sogabe
– Chief Program Officer
Supporting Daruma alongside Mr. Ueda from the inception of the project and organizations for over five years. He served as a president at San Diego Japanese Business Association for five years and at San Diego Business Group for two years.
He will focus on the design, development, implementation and management of our transition readiness programs for homeless and vulnerable populations with his teaching and coaching skills he has developed through teaching thousands of students for over 20 years of his career as a professional golfer and a passionate trainer.
Kazuki Kinoshita
– Chief Marketing Officer
Graduated from UCR with the degree in marketing. Has 4 years of experience as a freelance writer in blockchain field. Currently working at marketing agency in California as well.
Supporting Daruma project with his knowledge and skills in marketing and public relations. He mainly connects Daruma with people outside of the organization for collaborations.
Masahiko Yoshida
– Chief Financial Officer
As a California licensed certified public accountant and insurance producer at Allstate, he provides his clients with peace of mind so that they can focus on their business goals.
With his experience and expertise, he will support Daruma by protecting its communities and residents. As a result of this protection, these residents could achieve their happiness and contribute to the national wealth.
Mayuko Ikeda
– Chief Operating Officer
Oversees the implementation of Daruma’s strategies.
She will lead the Daruma Project by bringing all partners together to achieve its goal with her expertise as an active broker associate at RE/MAX Estate Properties, and the strong leadership and hospitality spirit she has developed through her airline industry experience that required an ability to work with a myriad of people.
Yukiko Sakaki
– Chief Communications Officer
Graduated from Cal State Northridge with a degree in Biology. After working as a researcher at a food company and finding many struggle to thrive in American society due to linguistic barriers, she started helping those as an interpreter/translator and intermediary.
She delivers Daruma’s messages to both internal and external audiences with her skills as a storyteller and relationship-builder.
Interested in Joining Our Team?
*Our official Facebook & Twitter is currently being updated. They’ll be coming soon, so please be patient with us!