Inner city is a very hard nut to crack. What are some of the trends in your city...could you have a break dancing contest, or a pet show? Maybe sponsor a kids level dance that gets the kids pumped up about coming and then the parents will have to tag along. Rent out some time at the local skating rink, or city pool and have folks meet there...then you can start to spread the word. See what the kids like to do...in the city the parents already have a lot of things pulling at them, so if the kids like to have skateboarding competitions, organize a competition at the local hang out and set up information and concessions. Get publicity from the local paper and work to create a community within the community.
I think the key is to get into what the kids are into and exploit that as an entry to the parents. If the kids are bugging mom and dad to take them to the PTO Skateboard competition, or bike trick competition then maybe you can get to them. See if there is a local school that would be willing to put on a step performance (we had one of those for our Carnival), and appeal to whatever the roots of your community are interested in.
You could maybe call the church as well and see what type of events work best for them. The issue is your competition. You have to be as attractive as what the city is offering for them to do that night. How about a kid sponsored float in the Holiday Parade next year....
I'm not trying to minimize the difficulty in this but if you can get one good hook--perhaps you can grab them...also get the email notices working to the parents so they can see what is going on easily...
Good luck....hope these help just a bit...

put a survey out to all parents via the kids folders, and ask them directly, what would get them more involved (if anything)? ...you can bring a horse to water but..............

PLEASE give me suggestions that may work in an inner city school? I have tried raffles, family dinner night, movie night; I tried reaching out to the community by offering a forum to talk with local politicians and police regarding local concerns. I had 1 parent out of 456 show up (that was embarrassing). I have a single parent group with low numbers, that I feel like canceling it. Every activity myself and the parent council have done our parents have asked for, yet parents do not attend. Please give me any suggestions; I am willing to try anything.