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A youth based non-profit organization withan emphasis on the aquatic environment. -
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Great OpportunitiesThe Ocean Starts at Our Front Doors
- 30986 Calle San Diego, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
- (714) 299-0912
- info@greatopps.org
About Us
Great Opportunities (GO) was founded in 2002 and works with High Risk Children, ages 7 to 18 years old, from San Juan Capistrano, Dana Point, Mission Viejo, Laguna Hills, El Toro. Capo Beach, and San Clemente. GO’s swim lessons and Beach Awareness Program are both offered at no cost to the participants. GO has given swim lessons to over 2,652 kids of San Juan Capistrano and in addition, GO has had over 662 children in the Beach Awareness Program. Swim classes range from beginning to intermediate to advanced levels. The Beach Awareness Program, which promotes ocean safety and environmental awareness.
Works in progress:
Great Opportunities is leading the charge in the coalition to have a Skate Plaza constructed in San Juan Capistrano.
GO is focused on a event of Financial Literacy for the youth of Orange County.
Our Mission
Great Opportunities a 501(c)3 Charitable non-profit
The mission Great Opportunities is about opening the doors of opportunity for children and exposing them to the possibilities. Our job is to help them developed the tools they will need to achieve.
Vision Statement
Great Opportunities (GO) offers swim lessons and a beach program to High Risk kids, ages 5 to 18 years old, all programs are offer at no cost. In the past 15 years GO has given swim lessons to over 2,652 kids and in addition, GO has had over 662 children in the Beach Awareness Program.
GO offers a bicycle and ecology programs. A Bike Rodeo in which all participants receive a free bike helmet, learn the rules of the road and safety tips and participate in a bike skills test. GO’s ecology program consists of an Earth Day event and building a SUP (Stand Up Paddling Surfboard) from used plastic drinking bottles.
Great Opportunities pays stipends to LMTs (Leader, Mentor, Teacher) Middle and High School youths that work as assistants. All GO events/projects are youth-led, and guidance is given to assist them in being successful.
GO supports and helps fund the SJC Coalition to have a Skate Park constructed in The City of San Juan Capistrano.
GO is focused on hosting an event of Financial Literacy for the youth of Orange County.
In addition, the kids in the program are introduced to the AQMD (Air Quality Management Division) and tour SOCWA (sewage treatment plant that services parts of South Orange County).
Why It Matters
Budget cuts have devastated after school and summer programs in low income neighborhoods. Beneficial programs then become difficult to locate in these deprived areas. These young children then spend their afternoon and summer vacation with minimal supervision, make these youth susceptible to the influences of gangs. Not to mention lack of mind stimulating activities. For over the last decade Great Opportunities have provided learning programs for children We believes if it opens the doors of opportunity through education, first hand experiences and positive mentoring. The child will be better prepared to handle leadership roles in our program, school and their community. This is and will continue to benefit all concerned.
Our mission focuses on high density low income neighborhoods in San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano which are under the Orange County, California Gang Injunction zone. Many of the children don’t have the discretionary income to participate in other organized leagues or athletic events. We ask the participants parents for a donation. However, we will not turn a kid away for nonpayment. Great Opportunities provides under advantaged kids the opportunity to see their potential and understand that they can achieve anything if they believe in themselves. We are about opening the doors for children and exposing them to the possibilities; the decision is theirs our job is to give them the tools they will need to achieve.
