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. Her experience allows her to understand firsthand the challenges parents and caregivers are face with on the journey of navigating pass roadblocks, burnouts and limited support. 

Through her personal journey, she recognized the importance of creating systems that promote balance, reduce stress, and support overall well-being. Building on these insights, she developed a guided journal in 2024 to help parents and caregivers implement practical strategies for daily life and long-term resilience. In 2025, these same principles inspired the launch of this program. 

URC's 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 in the City of Newark which aims to eliminate barriers by providing hybrid access—virtual sessions every month and in-person meetings quarterly. 

We are grateful to the Principal of Quitman Street School, Dr. Courtney Johnson, for allowing us to share community resources with parents, welcome them into our support group, and provide empowering workshops.