SALT Cohort 1 Student Participant Application 
Welcome to SALT Cohort 1 Student Application! SALT is the Student Association for Leadership and Transformation (SALT), youth using voice, community, and power to shape our schools and environments. Learn more about us on Instagram @SALT.StudentPower

Fall semester 2026 will be about building relationship, skill learning, building a project idea for next semester. Winter/Spring Semester 2027 will be about taking action into your schools and communities. 

Why SALT? 
  • Public speaking training to support your confidence building and communication skills 
  • Get paired with mentors and learn how you can take power and make change 
  • Learn about your history in powerful ways - how did the youth shape our future? 
  • Learn about how your schools and communities work and how you can build power to make a felt change 
  • Work on issues that YOU care about (i.e. safety, better school food, better transportation, ect) 
  • Safe space to learn about yourself, get support from others, and make a difference 
  • $500 gift card - at the end of program, if your attendance and participation is 80% or higher, you will receive $500 gift card for your accomplishment 
Our wins: 
  • School food: GRPS Student school food surveys, bringing back salad bars, some taste testing 
  • Increased teacher and staff pay
  • Ending Elevator K-12 Contract (less teachers on the screen teaching, more teachers in the classroom)
  • Building strong student community in Grand Rapids and Kent County 

Expectations: 
  • Must be in highschool and 14 years or older 
  • Be available from Mid-August 2026 to Mid-April 2027 
  • Attend 80% of the Thursday SALT meetings at our office from 5-7PM (light snacks will be provided)
  • Attend key SALT events and Education Justice Events (will mostly take time during our Thursday Meetings
  • Uphold SALT and UCC values, practices, and commitments to each other and our communities
  • Strong communication and responsiveness 
  • Engage in feedback loops and as needed supports 
  • Transportation to and from SALT events 
Want to learn more about us? 
  • You're invite to join our SALT PEPPA Kayak Potluck on August 11th from 4:30-7PM at Riverside Park 
  • Join our SALT Cohort 1 Infosessions (on Zoom) Wednesday August 12th from 3:30-4:30PM and Thursday August 13th from 5:30-6:30PM 
Deadline to apply is Monday August 17th at midnight - applicants will be emailed next steps on Thursday August 20th. 

If you are selected to be in the SALT Cohort 1, next steps: 
  • Attend SALT Orientation on August 24th 4:30-5:30 or August 25th 6-7PM on Zoom and complete the Youth Consent Form + Media Waiver
  • See you at our first event the School Board Candidate Forum September 3rd! 
With gratitude - Urban Core Collective's youth organizer Saida (betsaida@uccgr.org)
Sign in to Google to save your progress. Learn more
First Name  *
Last Name *
Birthday *
MM
/
DD
/
YYYY
Phone Number *
Email *
School:  *
Grade *
Gender *
Race & Ethnicity *
Required
Food allergies or restrictions?  *
Tell us about yourself! Why are you interested in being a part of SALT Cohort 1?  *
Which of the following are you interested in?  *
Required
What changes would you like to see in your school? Or in your community?  *
I am committing to the following values + practices:  *
Required
I can commit to the following roles and responsibilities:  *
Required
Open to all youth and families! Which of the following SALT Events are you interested in attending:  *
Required
Open to all youth and families! Will you be able to attend 2026 Grand Rapids Public Schools, School Board Candidate Forum September 3rd at MLK Park at 5:30-8:30PM?   *
This is required for students accepted in SALT Cohort 1
We would love to celebrate you! Would you like to be featured on our SALT and UCC Instagram?  *
Media waiver will be required for permission.
What does self-care look like for you? How can your team support you?  *
I.e. Comfort foods/snacks, check ins, breaks between meetings, energizers, ect 
Do you have any questions or concerns? 
Next
Clear form
Never submit passwords through Google Forms.
This form was created inside of Urban Core Collective.

Does this form look suspicious? Report

Google Forms