April 05, 2019

Representative Levin Recognizes San Juan Capistrano Brothers as Constituents of the Month for April

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Mike Levin (D-CA) announced that two San Juan Capistrano brothers, David and Eric Groos, are his Constituents of the Month for April. The Groos brothers co-founded Great Opportunities, a non-profit that provides under-served and at-risk youth, mainly coming from San Juan Capistrano’s geographically identified gang induction zones, with outdoor recreational opportunities and leadership skills that will serve them throughout life.

Last month, Representative Levin launched a Constituent of the Month program to highlight outstanding North County San Diego and South Orange County residents who have gone above and beyond to help their neighbors, give back to their community, and make the country stronger. Levin’s first Constituent of the Month was Shelby Jacobs, of Oceanside.

Congressman Levin submitted the following statement into the Congressional Record:

Madam Speaker, I rise today to recognize Eric and David Groos, two constituents from San Juan Capistrano, as my Constituents of the Month for April.

Each month, I recognize constituents who have gone above and beyond to help their neighbors, give back to their community, and make the country stronger. As co-founders of a non-profit that provides under-served and at-risk youth with outdoor recreational activities, there is no question that Eric and David are deserving of this recognition.

The brothers’ non-profit, Great Opportunities, has served over 3000 young people in my district, mainly coming from San Juan Capistrano’s geographically identified gang induction zones where kids are most at-risk of being drawn toward gang activity. Organizations like theirs play a critical role in generating opportunity in socioeconomically disadvantaged communities, and I am extremely grateful for the services they provide.

Eric and David provide kids in my district with more than just recreational activities – they are providing experiences that will help kids develop leadership and problem-solving skills, which will serve them well throughout their lives. I believe we must do more at the local, state, and federal to support organizations like theirs that provide under-served youth with the skills they need to succeed in life, and that will continue to be one of my priorities.

I am proud to recognize Eric and David as my constituents of the month for April, and I am deeply grateful for everything they do to give back to our community.

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