(Also, an Appeal for Membership renewals and Donations)

What a vibrant year it has been for Sunnyside! As we look back on the last 12 months, it is impossible not to feel a surge of pride in our neighborhood. From festive street parties to rolling up our sleeves for cleanups, the Sunnyside Neighborhood Association (SNA) has been hard at work fostering connection, safety, and beauty in our corner of the city.

None of this happens by accident. It happens because neighbors like you show up, pitch in, and support the vision of a thriving community.

Highlights: How We Connected & Improved Sunnyside

Last year was packed with activity. Thanks to your support, we were able to deliver a wide range of events and improvements:

Bringing Neighbors Together

We believe a strong neighborhood is built on personal connections. This year, we prioritized opportunities to meet face-to-face:

• Seasonal Celebrations: We hosted the Spring Party & Easter Egg Hunt, a spooky Halloween Party, and our festive Holiday Party to bookend the year with joy.
• Slow Hearst Events: Working with The Friends of Slow Hearst, we activated our streets with parties and decorating events to reclaim public space for families.
• Community Staples: The annual Garage Sale helped neighbors declutter and treasure hunt, while our monthly Coffees with the Board provided an open forum for conversation.

Beautifying Our Spaces

Taking care of our shared environment is a core SNA value.

• Greener Streets: We organized Quarterly Cleanups of Circular Drive and facilitated Street Tree Planting to keep Sunnyside lush and litter-free.
• Detroit Steps Revitalization: Through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for fiscal sponsorship, we supported the Detroit Steps project, securing an Avenue Greenlight Grant, commissioning a stunning mural on the upper steps, and funding physical improvements.

Civic Engagement & Strategic Partnerships

We strengthened our voice in the city and supported local jewels.

• Advocacy: We hosted a Meet the Mayor event to bring city leadership directly to you and engaged in Participatory Budgeting to ensure our tax dollars work for us.
• Supporting the Conservatory: We established a fiscal sponsorship MOU with the Friends of the Sunnyside Conservatory, supporting their Benefit Concert and community game nights.
• Culture: We were proud to support the beautiful Conservatory Concerts series.

We Need You to Keep the Momentum Going!

Looking at that list, one thing is clear: Member support acts as the fuel for these initiatives.

Every balloon at the Spring Party, every sapling planted on our sidewalks, and every dollar secured for the Detroit Steps starts with the backing of residents like you.

As we plan for an even more ambitious year ahead, we are asking for your help in two ways:

1. Join or Renew Your Membership

If you enjoyed an event last year, or simply appreciate walking down a cleaner, greener street, please become a member of the SNA. There is strength in numbers, and your membership amplifies our voice at City Hall

2. Donate to Fund Future Successes

Membership dues cover our basics (barely!), but donations allow us to dream bigger. Your contributions directly fund the supplies for cleanups, the permits for parties, and the grants for neighborhood improvements. Please consider donating here!

Let’s make this coming year the best one yet. Thank you for being a part of Sunnyside!