It was a special day at the Sunnyside Apartments. The normally peaceful community spaces were transformed into lively areas with bounce houses, carnival games, campus vendors and treats. The occasion? The Sunnyside Block Party. This annual event, organized by Sunnyside leadership, aimed to foster connections between community members, neighbors, Sunnyside staff and campus and community resources.
The Sunnyside Community is comprised of more than 2,000 adults and children from all over the world. It provides housing for single graduate students, student families and university employees. International students and their families make up 44% of the Sunnyside Community and represent over 60 countries.
Community programming is a fundamental part of Sunnyside’s mission. Sunnyside’s leadership is committed to providing a residential experience that is integral to the overall university experience. Connecting residents with important campus resources, such as safety services, child care, health care, financial services, and more, is a key component of ensuring resident success both inside and outside the classroom. Providing opportunities for residents to meet and engage with fellow residents is also a priority for Sunnyside’s leadership team. Each week community programming activities, including fitness classes, educational seminars and activities for children, are available for residents to enjoy, all at no extra cost.
When asked about the event, residents said:
“So fun!! Thanks for having this event and making it so big and fun for everyone! I felt like there was a good mix of family and single grad things to do. Everyone was so nice and had great attitudes. Thanks for all your hard work to put this on! It is so appreciated!!”
“The event was so fantastic, we gathered a lot of knowledge from it. It was a great opportunity to learn about so many things going on in Utah, including health care, job opportunities, and getting to know people from different countries.”
“This is our favorite event every year, we have never missed it.”