How a Coffee Meetup Sparked a Movement
Growing up as one of seven siblings in a two-bedroom NYC apartment, Alma Schneider learned resilience early. But after moving to New Jersey and having a child with disabilities, she found herself isolated and searching for support. She first rediscovered joy by founding Parents Who Rock, an organization that has since raised over $300,000 for community causes. Later, she began hosting Friday morning coffee meetups for fellow parents—gatherings that eventually grew into 1 in 6 Support, a vital network now serving over 600 families.
In this Lost in Jersey episode, Alma shares how her lived experience inspired a movement offering advocacy, emotional support, inclusive events, and real resources for families raising children with disabilities.
Learn more at 1in6support.org
“One in six children. One in three families. Together, we can do more.”
New Jersey Shoutouts:
Podcast
YouTube – Subscribe
INTERVIEW TOPICS
0:00 Introduction to Alma Schneider
3:06 Growing Up in NYC’s Tudor City
8:43 College Years and Moving to New Jersey
15:22Parents Who Rock: Finding Joy Again
21:54 One in Six Support: Creating Community
30:06 Building Resources and Expanding Impact
34:10 What Alma Loves About New Jersey
INTERVIEW SUMMARY
Alma Schneider – Lost in Jersey Interview
Introduction
Hosts Rachel and Janette introduce Alma Schneider, praising her extensive community work. They hint at Alma’s surprising upbringing in NYC, her founding of Parents Who Rock, and her leadership of 1in6support.org, a nonprofit supporting families of children with disabilities.
Early Life & Family Background
Alma grew up in Tudor City, a diverse neighborhood in New York City. She was one of seven siblings living in a two-bedroom apartment with her parents and a dog. Despite the cramped conditions, she describes the experience as chaotic but full of warmth, closeness, and resilience.
College & Career
Alma attended the University of Wisconsin sight unseen, based on a Barron’s guidebook. She initially struggled to fit in, but eventually found her community during a junior year abroad in Spain. She studied psychology and later earned a master’s degree in social work.
Moving to New Jersey
After having her first child, Alma and her husband left NYC due to high living costs. A chance article led them to Montclair, where she instantly connected with the community and lifestyle. Although she initially panicked about leaving the city, she came to love New Jersey.
Founding Parents Who Rock
Parents Who Rock began during a difficult time after Alma’s son was born with a disability. A friend encouraged her to reconnect with her creative side, which led her to organize a live music night for local parent-musicians. It became a powerful outlet for community building and fundraising.
Founding 1in6support.org
After her son left Montclair’s Developmental Learning Center, Alma worried about losing the tight-knit parent network. She started casual Friday morning meetups, which evolved into a hybrid in-person/online community with over 600 families. This group became the foundation of 1in6support.org.
Programs and initiatives include:
- A weekly support group and 24/7 online community
- The Montclair Disability Pride Parade
- A Mother’s Day pampering event for moms of children with disabilities
- A dads’ group
- Evening socials and educational speakers
Mission and Expansion
Now a nonprofit, 1in6support.org is expanding from New Jersey and Michigan with the goal of becoming national. They host presentations for companies on supporting employees who are parents of children with disabilities and raise money through grants and donations.
Resources and Accessibility
The organization serves families with children across the disability spectrum—from mild learning differences to complex medical needs. Alma emphasizes the value of shared experience, creating subgroups for specific challenges like mental health, violent behavior, or rare syndromes.
1in6support.org is building an interactive online forum that will:
- Let parents list and find others based on their child’s specific diagnosis
- Host community-driven advice and recommendations
- Include an “Allies” section for therapists, gyms, and vendors
- Help connect families with local inclusive businesses and resources
Employment and Advocacy
Alma advocates for inclusive hiring and works with local Montclair businesses to employ people with disabilities. She also serves on the Montclair People with Disabilities Advisory Committee, tackling accessibility, housing, and community planning.
Reflections on New Jersey
Alma says one of her proudest life accomplishments was learning to drive at age 34, along with breastfeeding her son via feeding tube. She loves Montclair for its people, culture, and community—especially the music, restaurants, and thrift scene. Her favorite spots include Le Souk, Sankofa Café, Dom Sal, and Tony’s Community Closet.
Final Thoughts
Alma expresses deep gratitude for being able to share her story and hopes her work encourages others to find joy, support, and purpose even in difficult situations. The hosts emphasize the importance of supporting her work and encourage donations to:
