CURA's History

The idea began in late 1969, by a recovering drug abuser by the name of Tony R.  Tony wanted to help others afflicted by the addictions and could not find a program able to effectively serve Hispanics. Back then FOCUS, the first Hispanic community based organization established in Newark, was the only agency providing services to the Hispanic community at large. But this agency concentrated in the areas of job placement and education. Aiding the substance abuser was not part of their mission. They did provide Tony with space and technical assistance to prepare the first proposal.

It was a couple of years after that Tony’s dream started to become a reality.  By that time he had moved on, but others had taken over, among them Walter Martinez and Councilman Donald Tucker. These two people were instrumental, for Walter refined the initial proposal written by Tony R. and Mr. Tucker identified the funding for the initial phase.

In 1973 CURA was given birth with the help of Mr. Tucker, who was then the Director of Addictions Services for the City of Newark. In addition to helping identify funding, Mr. Tucker provided a small space in his office at an annex to City Hall . The first steps had been taken to incorporate the organization and establish a Board of Directors who commenced searching for an Executive Director. At that time Oswaldo Fierro, a native of Ecuador who had several years of experience in treating alcoholics, was interviewed and hired. As he puts it... "they were looking for a Director, I applied and got the job... When I asked where I would work, they told me ‘anywhere because the program doesn’t exist yet’...I also found out that the monies allocated were not yet available, so that I had to start with the promise of getting the funds release later...That was the beginning of CURA."

Oswaldo Fierro was hired in October, 1973, and for 2 months he worked alone. Then in December 1973, Lourdes Panariello was hired, and in January 1974, Gloria Plaza was hired. All three people spent most of their time trying to secure the funds that were promised, a total of $29,000, and writing and formalizing the Administrative Manuals and Fiscal Procedures.

Finally, the grant for $29,000 was received to establish the residential program. A site to begin the residential phase had to be identified. At that time a number of vacant buildings owned by the City of Newark were available around the Lincoln Park Area. Integrity House another residential program was already established in the area, and no one seemed to object to another program coming into this historical district. A building was identified at 75 Lincoln Park and donated by the City of Newark. One major problem with the building was that it needed extensive repairs, so that was put on hold until funding could be acquired.

In the meantime, the City of Newark offered some space at the old Babies Hospital on Roseville Avenue. This was CURA’S first home. This building housed some of the City’s drug abuse programs. CURA moved to the fourth floor, acquired some beds, and this was the skeleton of a residential program. Shortly after, a Clinical Supervisor was hired and three counselors, so now CURA had a staff of 7 people.

Clients started requesting entrance and soon we had 2 clients. While CURA was supposed to be a residential program, there was no space for a kitchen. These 2 clients were taken out to a little restaurant to eat paying $1 per day. Within a short period of time, this number grew to 6, and it got to expensive to keep feeding them at the local restaurant. To remedy this some small stoves (electrical) were purchased, but by continuing overuse a fire was almost started.

The need for our place was a must. The City of Newark once again provided for the needed funds to begin the renovations of 75 Lincoln Park. In the summer of 1975, the residents and staff finally moved to this new place although only partially finished. One office was available and a dormitory and meeting room. The kitchen was finished so that at least meals could be cooked on the premises. Renovations on the building continued, and finally the end of 1975, we had a complete house with 25 residents. By that time our budget had grown to $40,000.

The big break came in 1976, when we received the helping hand from Dr. Mark Quinones the Director of Research and Preventive Medicine, at the University of Medicine and Dentistry. The University had received a grant from the Federal Government to fund outpatient services in the City of Newark, and at the same time do research with these programs. We were selected for a three year funding, as the only program able to provide services to the Spanish- speaking individuals of Newark. This funding opened the doors for the establishment of the Outpatient Component, and when the contract with the Federal Government ended we presented our case to the Assistant Commissioner of Health, Mr. Richard J. Russo. Subsequently, the State of New Jersey’s Division of Drug Abuse provided the funding to continue these services.

The need for our services grew rapidly during the late seventies. We became known in the State as the only program serving the Spanish-speaking population. Space became a problem, since we had one facility at that time at 75 Lincoln Park. We rented space at 61 Lincoln Park for a number of years where Outpatient Services was provided, but this building owned by Odyssy House, was put up for sale. We had to make a choice of relocating or trying to secure funds for the purchase of the building. We once again presented our case to the Assistant Commissioner of Health, although we knew that the State did not usually provide funds to purchase buildings. Somehow, Mr. Russo found the funds and we purchased the building with the condition that we provide substance abuse services for a period of five years. We have provided Outpatient Services at 61 Lincoln Park for 20 years.

The Outpatient Services then expanded to the establishment in 1977, of a Prevention Component for the neighborhood kids, as well as the children of the adult population we served. The process was that the children from the neighborhood would come and play on our grounds, and our treatment staff would help them with homework, develop organized games, and answer their questions. Eventually, we received funds from the United Way and the State Prevention Department to pay a staff on a part-time basis.

Another need to provide new services occurred in late 1978, when the AIDS epidemic surfaced. We did not know much about it, but we decided to learn by volunteering to participate in a nationwide study of AIDS among residential drug abuse clients conducted by the Center for Disease Control. Although we did not receive funds for our participation, the clients got paid for blood samples, and this was the beginning of our AIDS\HIV program. We later applied for and received funds to expand these services.

As with the establishment of the Outpatient services and Prevention services, about ten years ago we were forced to establish a Adolescent Residential Program. We were faced with numerous request for admission into our residential program from Spanish-speaking youngsters with drug problems, and we could not treat them with our adult population nor could we identify a referral source. We were faced once again with the challenge to respond to a community need. We identified a small facility at 1148 Broad Street, and began the program even though we had no clear funding identified. Eventually, funding was granted by the State for 20 beds.

Today, the programs mentioned above still remain as CURA’S Core Programs, but with the full support of our Board of Trustees and its direction, the expansion of services to the Hispanic community has continued to grow during the years.

1973 ~ 1998

In 1998 we celebrated our 25th anniversary (1973-1998).   The celebration began with a formal Staff Christmas Gathering where special recognition was given to those who had input in the establishment of CURA. Individuals like Tony R., Walter Martinez, Ramon Rivera, and Councilman Donald Tucker, among others, were highlighted as pioneers of CURA. Special presentations were made to the daughters of Tony and Walter Martinez.  A special tribute was also given to the Executive Director, Oswaldo Fierro and his family as the founder of CURA. Thereafter, during the entire year special activities were held every month with the participation of residents, staff, and board members; each month had a specific theme. Themes like "Hug a Day" , "We Care About Your Health", "Recognition Day", and "Pride Day". Pride Day was a very interesting activity that included presentation of flags representing all the Latin countries, followed by a buffet lunch that included foods from South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. The finale of this celebration was held on November, 1998, with a formal event held at the Mayfair Farms. This event had as keynote speaker Prof. Jaime A. Escalante. Prof. Escanlante’s life story was recreated in the film "Stand and Deliver", in 1989.

Planning for the new century has already began. Our vision for the coming years is part of the Strategic Planning Report that was approved by CURA, Inc. Board of Trustees.