TERRACE, B.C. – Sharon Bandstra, the executive director of The Garage Community Space, was spotted on the streets of downtown this week, personally leading a crew to help clean up the city—a powerful example of hands-on leadership.
Bandstra, a well-known community leader, was seen with her team, equipped with a cart and cleaning supplies, actively working to improve the downtown core.
For Bandstra, who has called Terrace home for 28 years, this work is more than just a job; it’s a deeply held conviction. Her passion for community service was profoundly shaped by her childhood, where she grew up with a brother who had Down’s Syndrome. Watching him become a vibrant part of their family and community taught her a foundational lesson: that every single person is created for a purpose and has unique gifts to offer.
It’s this belief in the inherent value of every individual that fuels the mission of The Garage, which first opened in the winter of 2022. The organization was founded as a collaborative space to provide support and hope for the community’s most vulnerable members.
The sight of its leader on the front lines, tidying up the streets, serves as a powerful testament to the organization’s grassroots commitment to caring for both the people and the place they call home.
