As a member of the College for All Coalition, the Urban Foundation has joined a grassroots movement to promote equity in higher education. This incredible partnership, spearheaded by Urban Foundation board chair Stewart Kwoh and our good friends at Asian Americans Advancing Justice, has provided Kid City students with training in policy and advocacy, and the opportunity to tell stories that speak to the importance for equity in higher education. Here are some highlights!
On May 4, Erick Gonzalez testified at the oversight hearing for SB 1050 (College Readiness Block Grant), and was greeted and thanked by Senate Pro Tem Kevin de Leon.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukEDfUWdaHA&feature=youtu.be
Then on June 21, Laura Cuellar, Kid City Program Director, accompanied 12 high school and college students on the College for All Coalition day in Sacramento. Petrona Garcia spoke at a legislative briefing, and all 12 students participated in legislative visits to their state representatives.
And on August 28, Kid City student Jason Granados (UCSB) and staff member Carlos Beltran testified at a Sacramento hearing on Young Men of Color led by Education Trust West. Carlos and Jason’s personal stories illustrated many of the key findings in the Ed Trust West report.
https://www.facebook.com/pg/EdTrustWest/videos/?ref=page_internal
Just recently, Laura Cuellar, Kid City Program Director, and six young people tell their stories to the UC Board of Regents in September:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=687&v=1M1HOrMb314
Earlier that week, Kid City students Kimberly Fabian (UCLA) and Petrona Garcia (UCSB) were featured panelists at the National College Access Network conference workshop, “Setting Your Advocacy Agenda and Engaging Students in the Process” with Alison DeLucca, of So Cal CAN, facilitating.