About the PCA

The Parkside Community Association (PCA), a 501c3 not-for-profit, is the largest membership-based community association in the City of Buffalo. Founded in 1963 to fight then-prevalent racist tactics of redlining and blockbusting, it has over the years successfully implemented programs that have contributed to the security and stability of the neighborhood. The PCA prides itself on the economic and ethnic diversity of the residents.

The PCA continually meets the challenges an older urban neighborhood presents. Some of the routine challenges include absentee landlords, zoning and code issues, infrastructure deterioration and cutbacks in city services. The organization is governed by a 20-member, volunteer Board of Directors. The Board is elected annually by a neighborhood membership of more than 500 individuals, families, and business owners. Volunteers are the backbone of the organization. Eight or more standing and ad-hoc committees comprised of neighborhood volunteers regularly contribute an average 130 volunteer hours per month.

The PCA provides a number of regular services to the neighborhood. The association runs a summer arts program for children; publishes a neighborhood newsletter (about six times a year) containing crime alerts, and other important public notices as necessary; provides information, referral and crime prevention services for neighborhood residents; assists block clubs; holds community meetings; and was instrumental with the opening of the Parkside COPS Satellite station which addresses quality of life issues. The PCA also helped to restore two vacant buildings along the major commercial boundaries and assisted some homeowners with property improvements through low-interest loans.

The PCA holds several special events that are open to the public. Most of these events are fundraisers with the added goal of bringing people into Parkside to see what an urban neighborhood has to offer.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Parkside Community Association is to advocate, communicate and act on behalf of the Parkside neighborhood to preserve and enhance the quality of life.

PCA Office

Address:

2318 Main Street
Buffalo, New York 14214
United States of America

Phone:

(716) 838-1240

Fax:

(716) 838-1239

Office Staff:

Executive Director: LaVerne Peakes
Administrative Assistant: Diane Kasting
Program Art Director: Paula Dolega

2010 Board of Directors

Executive Board

President: Candace Lynn Bell
Vice President: Robert Barends
Treasurer: Monica Cichon
Secretary: Michael Riester

Members at Large

Michael Ahern
Janice Barber
George Emery
Jerry Gallagher
Eric Harvey
Ruth Lampe
Christopher Lavey
Jeremy Lee
David Mann
Jessica Pirro
Marlene Smith-Amaker
George Stock
Albert Titus
Susan Udin
Bernie Wagner
Tom Ziobro

Membership/Volunteer Form

If you'd like to join the PCA, please click here to print out the membership form and mail it to:
Parkside Community Association
2318 Main Street
Buffalo, NY 14214