JOURNEY TO gETTING uN-STUCK

The Founder and President of the Un-Stuckness Restoration Center (URC), Min. Jamillah Cupe, has a son and a grandson with special needs and therefore understands firsthand the challenges parents and caregivers face when navigating roadblocks, burnout, and limited support. 

Through her personal journey, she discovered the importance of creating a system that fosters balance, reduces stress, and supports overall wellbeing. Building upon these lessons, she authored a guided journal designed to help parents and caregivers develop practical strategies for everyday living and long-term resilience.

The new virtual Parent Support Group Program builds on this vision by offering parents and caregivers a safe, empowering environment where they can share experiences and learn strategies for strengthening family life. 

Participants in the program will:

• Experience a supportive, judgment-free atmosphere where their voices are valued.
   
• Learn evidence-based techniques to manage stress and prevent caregiver burnout.
   
• Gain insights into parenting skills and adopt developmentally appropriate approaches.
   
• Be connected to meaningful resources and community partners that can reduce barriers to success.

OUR REASON & PURPOSE

URC recognizes that Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) populations, along with other underserved communities, often lack access to appropriate resources that address their unique needs, questions, and concerns. Too often, these families face barriers of poverty, systemic inequities, and limited culturally relevant support systems. 

This is especially true in the city of Newark, where many families struggle with high rates of poverty, food insecurity, and the challenges of raising children with developmental delays. According to the U.S. Census Bureau (2023), 27.3% of Newark residents live below the poverty line, a rate more than double the state average of 11.5%. In addition, a Rutgers-affiliated study found that nearly 5% of Newark students had been diagnosed with autism, a prevalence substantially higher than the national average (Chalkbeat, 2023).

 These realities underscore the urgent need for programs like URC’s Parent Support Group, which aims to eliminate barriers by providing hybrid access—virtual sessions every month and in-person meetings quarterly.