Friends Of Parkside
Started by residents for residents, Friends Of Parkside works to promote the health and well-being of the Parkside community.
The 2026 Dear Santa Helper Project is open!
Become a Santa Helper. Choose a child’s letter and give at least one gift from their wish list. You can also donate to help fulfill holiday wishes.
Gifts are due December 3, 2026.
News & Updates
Confirmed · Tuesday, November 17, 2026 · 10 to 11 a.m. Eastern · Virtual
Joint Meeting with Parkside Residents, FOP, DHC & HUD RAD Office
Parkside residents will meet virtually with Friends Of Parkside (FOP), the Detroit Housing Commission (DHC), and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) office.
FOP Watch Party starts at 9:30 a.m. Join us at the FOP office, 5000 Conner Street, Suite 103, for coffee, donuts, and fellowship before participating in the meeting together.
Join the meeting online or call 202-510-9533 and enter 181 901 683#.
You can also join through Microsoft Teams with meeting ID 293 585 958 068 940 1 and passcode 8nt3EP2C.
Detroit Board of Zoning Appeals hearing, March 23, 2026. 13th Floor Auditorium, Coleman A. Young Municipal Center, 2 Woodward Ave., Detroit, MI 48226.
Parkside Residents Stand Firm - Follow the Code
Parkside residents spoke at the March 23, 2026, zoning hearing on the redevelopment at 5250 Conner Street. The Detroit Board of Zoning Appeals voted 8–1 to keep the screen-wall requirement and separately approved narrower townhomes.
On March 23, 2026, Parkside residents took part in a Detroit Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) hearing about the redevelopment at 5250 Conner Street. The BZA decides whether to grant exceptions to the city’s zoning requirements. At the hearing, the Board considered requests to use a vegetative buffer in place of a screen wall and to allow narrower townhomes.
Elizabeth Cornell and Zachary Rowe, executive director of Friends Of Parkside, attended in person. Robin Brookins joined from home. LaTesa Arnold and others attended a Friends Of Parkside watch party.
During public comment, residents raised questions about safety, environmental conditions, and whether the plans matched what they had seen at earlier community meetings. Several speakers supported keeping the screen wall and cited concerns about soil contamination. Residents also questioned the request to allow townhomes narrower than the zoning code requires.
Friends Of Parkside filed written opposition to both requests on March 19. On March 20, it asked the Detroit Housing Commission and Ginosko Development Company to seek a postponement and hold two open community meetings, one during the day and one in the evening. Ginosko’s Nathan Keup acknowledged the request and wrote, “We will review and respond in a reasonable manner and timeframe.” The hearing went ahead on March 23.
The Board voted 8–1 to deny the request to use a vegetative buffer in place of the screen wall, leaving the screen-wall requirement in place. It separately approved the request to allow narrower townhomes.
Get Involved
Looking for ways to support Friends of Parkside? Here’s how:
Partner
External organizations can work with us to expand opportunities.
donate
Every contribution helps us continue serving the community!
volunteer
Help with events, mentorship, or community support efforts.
Our Five Program Areas
Our five program areas put FOP’s mission into action: bringing residents together, supporting youth, expanding educational and employment opportunities, promoting health and well-being, and strengthening residents’ voices. Explore each area to see how our programs and projects support these goals.
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Our goal: Help young people build confidence, learn, and grow while bringing families together.
Programs & projects: Bright Futures Youth Program, Dear Santa Helper Project, and youth and family activities.
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Our goal: Expand opportunities for meaningful employment, personal growth, and service to the community.
Programs & projects: Volunteer opportunities, summer youth employment through Grow Detroit’s Young Talent, and opportunities to build work skills through community programs and events.
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Our goal: Expand access to educational and employment resources and help residents use technology with confidence.
Programs & projects: FOP Tech Hub, Comcast Lift Zone for free Wi-Fi access, and the Community Tech Workers (CTW) Project. This area includes digital literacy, device assistance, AI literacy and responsible use, and online safety.
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Our goal: Promote residents’ health and well-being and help build a healthy, safe Parkside community.
Programs & projects: FOP Food Pantry, Active Seniors At Parkside (ASAP), the annual Parkside Health, Safety & Job Fair, and nutrition, wellness, and safety activities.
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Our goal: Build an informed, united community where residents have a voice, organize around shared concerns, and help shape decisions affecting their lives.
Programs & projects: Community Connector newsletter, action alerts, community meetings, FOP Watch Party, resident rights education, and Parkside redevelopment advocacy. Our website, text messages, and social media help residents stay connected and take part.
Upcoming Events & Programs
Upcoming Parkside Residents Meeting with HUD and DHC
The virtual meeting is confirmed for Tuesday, November 17, 2026, from 10 to 11 a.m. Eastern. The FOP Watch Party starts at 9:30 a.m. at 5000 Conner Street, Suite 103. See how to join and download the action alert.
Need Assistance?
We’re here to help. Reach out anytime for support, resources, or questions.