Community Corner

Greatest Person: From Bartender to Community Advocate, Greg Garcia Wears Many Hats in Gilroy

Greg Garcia, 34, discusses what has kept him hooked to Gilroy his whole life, and what role he's played in bettering the community.

Gilroy Patch's former editor Eric Gneckow asked Greg Garcia a few questions on his multifaceted role in Gilroy for Patch's new "Greatest Person" feature honoring community members and their contributions. 

Patch: What is your history in Gilroy? Did you grow up here? What schools did you attend? Also, how old are you?

Greg Garcia: I have a 34-year history which has only been in Gilroy.  I attended Las Animas Elementary School which is now the vacant lot on Wren Avenue, as well as South Valley Junior High, Gilroy High School, Gavilan College and to finish my education at San Jose State University.

Patch: How did your experience growing up inspire you to get involved with the community? What are all the groups you're involved in?

Garcia: My father John Garcia is my largest influence to be involved in my community. Others in the community really bring it to my attention when they say, "You are walking in your father's footsteps." And they're right. As my father has worked for the City of Gilroy Recreation Department, coached football at Gavilan College, UC Riverside and Long Beach State before returning back to Gavilan.

During the time of being between school, work and football he also bartended at many establishments throughout the community but landed a 23-year stint at Harvest Time Restaurant now . My dad was also a huge part of the Mayor's Blue Ribbon Committee which later became the where he held the position of the Executive Director as well as was another influential advocate for the Gilroy Community Youth Center.

Find out what's happening in Gilroywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Now what do I do? Can you hear the footsteps?  I work for the City of Gilroy Recreation Department and oversee the Gilroy Community Youth Center program.  I have been an active member of the Gilroy Gang Task Force for almost as many years I have worked for the City and am currently the Executive Director.  I began my football coaching career at Gavilan College after my two years of junior college eligibility was used up. Since then I am currently coaching at Christopher High School post my head coaching stints with Gilroy High School and with the Central Coast Barnstormers Semi-Professional program. I must also mention I too bartended at the Harvest Time Restaurant and currently bartend at The Milias Restaurant.

Patch: You seem to have a great interest in seeing Gilroy's youth grow into responsible adults, with the Gang Task Force and the youth center at San Ysidro park. Why is this important?

Garcia: To tell the truth I do this with youth as well as adults.  I truly believe we are all great individuals; it's pulling out the great which I like to challenge. With youth which I encounter with the Gang Task Force, Gilroy Community Youth Center, and high school football programs it's assisting young individuals to making the right choices and doing what is right. Homework, respectful to all those encountered, work hard at whatever you are doing, finish what you started, don't give into negative peer pressure from family or friends, don't give up and keep moving forward.  

Life is full of challenges if you keep moving forward no matter how difficult any situation may seem, if you make the right choices you will come out ahead.  Maybe with some more challenges ahead but at least one behind you.  Preaching ideals like this to youth is important to me, is important to their future as well as ours. One of my most memorable individuals I came across was a football player of mine two years ago with the Central Coast Barnstormers. This young man was 27 years, full of fire and at times just angry at everyone.  His temper before my return was accepted or ignored by teammates and staff, but with me, it wasn't.  I constantly reminded him during practices by saying "You're a better person than that!" and "You're a great individual!" and over time he began to show he was.

Find out what's happening in Gilroywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

By the end of the season he played in a playoff game with a broken arm telling me he wanted to give me everything he had, because I believed in him and that statement was followed by a hug and tears.  I have experienced a lot of positive outlooks of youth and adults both and seeing smiles on faces, appreciation for what I have done or can do is what I do this for and why I find it to be important.

Patch: What do you think is the most important thing that a young person needs in their life to grow into a happy and responsible adult?

Garcia: There is no one thing I could ever identify but things I utilize are: Love, passion, acceptance, tolerance, values, work ethic, goals, motivation and most important positive support. Those are ones I utilize still to this day and seem to be working out just fine.

Patch: Are there any short-term things that you'd like to see happen in Gilroy in the next few years?

Garcia: Eric, nothing in the short-term comes to mind. More along the long term are to keep positive influences and experiences available for our community's youth.  With the City of Gilroy Recreation Department and other outside collaborative and agencies these types of programs are available and utilized.  It's about the passion of our community to our youth.


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