Help cover travel, lodging, and conference fees for UnLocked Members to attend the National Children of Incarcerated Parents Conference in Arizona!

UnLocked is a college student-run organization at the University of Maryland dedicated to supporting children of incarcerated parents (COIP). I started UnLocked after recognizing the unique challenges faced by COIP on campus and wanting to create a space where these students could feel seen and supported. As the organization grew, I was joined by an incredible executive board who helped expand our reach and impact.

Two years ago, I attended the National Children of Incarcerated Parents Conference as a participant, and the experience was transformative. The connections I made with organizations like the Osborne Association, Dream Academy, and other advocacy groups inspired me to expand UnLocked and deepen our work. We are proud to utilize the peer support group curriculum from Dream Academy, which has helped us create a safe and empowering space for COIP at UMD. Over the past two years, UnLocked has accomplished so much: we’ve won a grant to support our programming, hosted campus-wide awareness panels, distributed care packages, and built a growing network of students who support one another through shared experience.

This year, our team was honored to have our presentation accepted at the conference, giving us the opportunity to share our story, highlight our achievements, and learn from others who are passionate about supporting COIP. With your help, we hope to send four UnLocked members—myself (President), Sara (Vice President), Seven (Outreach Chair), and Ava (Research Chair)—to the conference in Arizona. The funds we raise will cover air travel, lodging, and daily expenses, allowing us to present our work, collaborate with national leaders, and bring back valuable insights to our campus. Your support will help us reach more students and continue building a stronger, more supportive community for children of incarcerated parents. Thank you for believing in our mission and helping us make a difference.