About Us

Who We Are

A unified, professional voice for Detroit's IslandView neighborhood — operating under the Community First Initiative.

The IslandView Association (IVA) serves as the official hub for our neighborhood. Operating under the professional and legal umbrella of the Community First Initiative (CFI), we unite residents, associations, local block clubs, and strategic partners to ensure our community speaks with a single, unshakeable, and professional voice.

We believe that while individual blocks are strong, a unified council of blocks is truly unstoppable.

“While individual blocks are strong, a unified council of blocks is truly unstoppable.”

The IslandView Association

Our Mission Statement

To cultivate a thriving, inclusive, and beautiful community through community-first initiatives. We are dedicated to empowering our residents through education, fostering intergenerational connections between our youth and seniors, and driving sustainable neighborhood improvements that enhance the quality of life for all who call this community home.

Our Foundational Pillars

What we stand on

Inclusivity

Every resident, on every block, has a seat at the table and a voice in our shared future.

Empowerment

We equip neighbors with the education, tools, and resources to lead lasting change.

Stewardship

We protect our land, homes, and public spaces as a trust held for generations to come.

Connection

We build bridges between youth and seniors, blocks and partners, people and place.

Core Strategic Initiatives

How we protect and strengthen IslandView

We provide resources, fiduciary support, stewardship advocacy programs, community benefit strategies, and collaborative tools to empower our neighbors and safeguard our community.

Advocacy & Asset Preservation

Defending the public spaces and resident voice that make IslandView ours.

Protecting Public Space
Working to safeguard community land from privatization and outside development, including active legal appeals to protect the Butzel Family Recreation Center playfield.
Resident Priority
Advocating for local neighbors and stakeholders to be the driving voice in neighborhood growth.
Government Representation
Serving as a unified, professional voice to interface with city and state agencies.

Stewardship & Resource Programs

Protecting resident ownership and caring for neighbors, block by block.

Land Bank Accountability
Conducting street-by-street property audits, invoking priority rights by documented maintenance, and blocking outside developer sales to protect resident ownership.
The Block Club Network
Assisting unorganized blocks in becoming official certified Block Clubs with access to grants and tax-deductible donations through our non-profit partnership.
Senior Support & Mutual Aid
Launching the Senior Assistance Help Program for minor home repairs, landscaping, and snow removal for neighborhood elders.

Community Benefits Strategies

Holding development accountable to the people who live here.

Developer Accountability
Demanding signed, binding, voluntary Community Benefits Agreements (CBAs) from incoming developers before offering community support.

Our Non-Negotiables

Deep Affordability Mandate

We require a binding commitment to housing for households at 30%–50% AMI to prevent local displacement.

Neighbor Equity Reinvestment

Development support is contingent on direct reinvestment into our existing fabric, including home repairs (roofing/fencing), sidewalks, landscaping, and community education.

Pre-Filing Protocol

Developers must formally present projects to the local neighborhood associations and block clubs before submitting any city or zoning applications.

Leadership

The people behind IVA

Led by our founder and a dedicated volunteer board of neighbors.

Teresa Reneice Davis

Founder & President

Teresa founded the IslandView Association to give her neighborhood a single, professional voice — uniting residents and block clubs to protect the character, safety, and beauty of IslandView for generations to come.

Board Member

Vice President

Bio coming soon.

Profile coming soon

Board Member

Secretary

Bio coming soon.

Profile coming soon

Board Member

Treasurer

Bio coming soon.

Profile coming soon

Board Member

Block Club Liaison

Bio coming soon.

Profile coming soon

Our Partnership

The IslandView Association operates under the professional and legal umbrella of the Community First Initiative, enabling fiscal sponsorship, grants, and tax-deductible donations for our neighborhood.

The IslandView Association is an independent organization, not affiliated with any city department, municipal agency, land bank, or commercial development firm.