Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield held her ninth annual “Occupy The Corner” event as hundreds gathered Friday evening at Coleman Young Playfield on the city’s east side for a day of fun and special giveaways. Hundreds of families are going home with a free bike Friday (June 24) night, but the event’s purpose goes beyond that.

The latest Gilbert Family Foundation donation to help Detroiters stay in their homes aims to address the eviction process. The Detroit Eviction Defense Fund is a $13 million donation that would allow those who qualify financially to have legal representation in what often is the fight of their lives.

Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield and other organizations are looking for ways to compensate Detroiters who were overtaxed $600M during the Great Recession.