Lower East Side Community Hero

nominated by John Blasco

Shawn Garcia – District Leader in the Lower East Side (74AD) Born and raised in New York City in a Puerto Rican household, Shawn has always had a deep connection to the community. For over two decades he has been a community organizer on various issues from housing, to police violence, immigration rights, and health & transportation access. Shawn is also a community gardener and sits on the board of 9th Street Community Garden where he also manages the community compost site. Father to his daughter Kaia, he is also a parent leader throughout the L.E.S.’s School District 1, where he chairs the President’s Council helping parent leaders around the neighborhood advocate and support their children’s education.