Urban Core Collective

09/01/2026

This is you sign to apply for SALT!
SALT is for high school students ready to speak up, build leadership skills, connect with other young people, and make real change!

⏰ Applications close September 4.

If you are in high school and 14 years or older, apply here: https://forms.gle/d5gidRky5oK74Bau9

08/28/2026

We outside!!
Our first family SALT + PEPPA Kayaking & Picnic event was so amazing! Our families were able to experience being connected to nature and to each other. Thank you to Alejandro Photography for capturing these beautiful moments!

We know that schools and communities work better when families feel supported and are given opportunities to rest collectively. Thank you to GR Outside and the families that came out to participate!

Are you a parent or caregiver of a student and are interested in engaging with PEPPA to support your advocacy? Then fill out an interest form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdDfJPJJmJipaOrEz6MCqWT0_zySaQHHWmW8jR0AUgk6k1vpA/viewform

Are you a high school student interested in joining SALT? Applications are open now! Considering applying for this upcoming school year: https://forms.gle/w4BHpTajf1JRAi3Y9
Want to learn more about SALT? Join the info session on September 2nd from 5:30-6:30PM on Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83201674109

08/28/2026

08/28/2026

𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐝𝐬: 𝐒𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐞𝐝𝐮𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧.

Nearly 𝟏 𝐢𝐧 𝟕 𝐌𝐢𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐧 𝐬𝐭𝐮𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 receives special education services in Michigan public schools, yet issues affecting students with disabilities and their families too often receive limited attention during election season.

Join us on 𝐓𝐮𝐞𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟖 for a nonpartisan Special Education Candidate Forum featuring candidates for Michigan Senate District 29, 30 and House District 80, 84.

Hear directly from the candidates about their priorities for:
🔹 Special education funding
🔹 Student outcomes
🔹 Educator and provider capacity
🔹 IEP implementation and inclusive education
🔹 Family partnership and engagement

📍𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐨𝐞𝐢 𝐂𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐫 | 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐑𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐝𝐬

📅𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟖

🕒𝟔:𝟑𝟎-𝟖:𝟎𝟎 𝐏𝐌

Families, educators, advocates, students, and community members are encouraged to attend — and to submit questions for the candidates when registering.

🔗 Register: https://tinyurl.com/2026CandidateForumGrand-Rapids

Help us spread the word and make sure students with disabilities are part of the 2026 election conversation!

Michigan's Children

KConnect

First Steps Kent

Urban Core Collective | PEPPA

08/28/2026

Your voice can change your school. Your ideas can change your community.

To the parents and caregivers of students in high school: if you know a young person who cares about what happens in their school, wants to build confidence, or is always asking, “Why do we do things this way?” ...tell them about SALT!

To the young people: you don’t have to wait until you're an adult to create change. SALT (Student Association for Leadership and Transformation) gives high school students a space to build leadership skills, learn from mentors, connect with other young people, explore issues you care about, and turn your ideas into action.

From school food to teacher pay to better facilities to building stronger student communities, SALT students have already shown what’s possible when young people organize and use their collective power!

Interested in finding out more about SALT? Join us for the SALT Cohort 1 Info Session:
📅 Wednesday, September 2
⏰ 5:30 - 6:30 PM
Zoom link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83201674109

SALT Cohort 1 application deadline extended to Thursday, September 3rd!
Apply to join SALT here: https://forms.gle/d5gidRky5oK74Bau9

08/27/2026

Think you know your elections? 👀
Let’s put that knowledge to the test!

At The People’s Game Night: Ready. Set. Vote!, we’re turning election education into a Jeopardy-style competition. You’ll get questions about what’s on the ballot, voting rights, election myths, campaign money, and more.

Come learn something new, connect with your community, enjoy a meal, and compete for prizes! 🏆

📅 Monday, September 14
⏰ 6:00–7:30 PM
📍 Urban Core Collective | 413 Hall St SE, Suite #1

RSVP today: https://bit.ly/4d8SiyT

08/26/2026

There is something special about gathering around food, sharing stories, and spending time with the people who remind us we're not alone. That's the heart of our August Black Parent Café.

Before the new school year begins, we're inviting Black families to come together for an afternoon of joy, connection, and celebration. We can't wait to celebrate with you!

📅 August 29 | 12-3 PM
📍 Garfield Park (Northwest Picnic Shelters)

Created for Black parents, caregivers, and families!

Register here: https://forms.gle/hAoSZJZeYJengNSm9

08/25/2026

Every three years, community organizations and partners across Kent County come together to better understand the health and well-being of our communities. But data can only tell part of the story... We also need to hear directly from the people who live here!

The 2026 Community Health Needs Assessment Survey is an opportunity to share your experiences, identify the challenges that affect your health, and help highlight the strengths and priorities of our communities.

The survey is open to Kent County residents ages 13 and older, takes about 10–15 minutes to complete, and responses are anonymous.

👉 Take the 2026 CHNA Survey: http://tinyurl.com/UCCollective

08/21/2026

The Black Parent Café is a place where families can build relationships with other parents, caregivers, and community members who understand the experiences Black children and families navigate throughout the school year. This month, we are hosting a cookout! Join us for an afternoon filled with good food, music, kids laughing and running freely, and neighbors connecting like family

📅 August 29 | 12-3 PM
📍 Garfield Park (Northwest Picnic Shelters)

Created for Black parents, caregivers, and families!

Register here: https://forms.gle/hAoSZJZeYJengNSm9

08/21/2026

✨ Powerful PEPPA Parent Spotlight ✨

This month, we’re celebrating Emiliana Urbina, a powerful parent leader and the lead for PEPPA’s Special Education Committee.

In her organizing, Emiliana brings both professional experience and a deep commitment to the community. She works in education supporting children with special needs and has previously worked as a canvasser with us at the Urban Core Collective. Now, through PEPPA, she’s helping create space for families to connect, share their experiences, and advocate for the support and resources their children deserve.

Thank you, Emiliana, for showing up and helping families turn their experiences into collective power!

We’re especially excited to have Emiliana leading our upcoming PEPPA Listening Session on the 27th, where parents and caregivers can come together to share their experiences, concerns, ideas, and hopes around education.

Join Emiliana and the rest of the PEPPA crew on the 27th!

Register here: https://actionnetwork.org/events/peppa-listening-session-2

PEPPA (Parents for Education, Power, Purpose, and Action) is a parent-led organizing group building collective power to uplift parent and caregiver voices and advocate for education justice. Learn more about PEPPA here: www.urbancorecollective.org/peppa