One Child. One Guitar. One Miracle. logo_white_transparent_353x150

The GNG Mission

We provide guitars and lessons to foster children and at-risk youth in a classroom setting with qualified teachers as an alternative to violence. https://www.facebook.com/GuitarsNotGunsMusicProgram

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The Focus of Our Program

Music has the power to heal. We instill a love and appreciation for music that children can carry with them for the rest of their lives.

Security

Many of our students are the victims of abuse or neglect. We provide an environment where kids can feel safe, secure, and valued.

Empowerment

Our students walk away from our class with the knowledge they can accomplish challenging goals with some commitment and dedication.

Creativity

Our class helps to fuel the creativity of our students allowing them to express their emotions in a positive and constructive way.

Mentorship

Yes, we teach guitar. But more than that we commit to be dependable, engaged, authentic, and tuned into the needs of our students.

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https://www.facebook.com/GuitarsNotGunsMusicProgram

Facts About Guitars not Guns

4000
Kids Served to date
19
Chapters in Operation
12
States with Chapters
17
Years Serving Our Communities

Using music as a catalyst we encourage children and teens to use their creativity to foster personal development and to help divert them from the destructive influences of drugs, alcohol, and gang-related violence.

— Guitars not Guns —

In the GNG Classroom

How Our Program Works

Our program is targeted to foster kids and at-risk youth ages 8-18 using high teacher-to-student ratios. Each class consists of a maximum of 10 students with three adult instructors. Each program is 8 weeks long with a one hour session each week.

In addition to learning how to master changing from one chord to another, children learn perseverance & discipline and build self-esteem. More importantly, the kids learn to enjoy the interaction and have fun in a group setting.

Those kids who complete the full 8 week program have earned the right to keep the guitar and are invited to return for a second 8-week session of more advanced instruction. They’ve earned it!

How You Can Help

Our mission is delivered by our passionate volunteers and generous donors. Get involved in this great organization today.

Make a Contribution

We can’t offer our program without support from people like you who want to help make our communities a little better. Please consider helping by making a contribution.

Our Program Creates

  • Empowered Youth
  • Enhanced Self Esteem
  • Alternatives to Violence
  • Make a Donation




Volunteer Your Time

Whether or not you play guitar there is a great spot for you in our program. Simply contact us below to find a chapter near you where you can volunteer.

Volunteers Matter


No Paid Employees.
All Volunteers.

All the Time.

Guitars not Guns is proud to say that we are a 100% volunteer-based organization. Our mission is driven and delivered by passionate volunteers who understand the importance of music in the lives of under served children in our communities. Because we have no paid staff, more of your contributions go directly to the children.

What Others Have to Say About Our Program


  • Our student participants are eager and enthusiastic about their weekly adventure. Other students are trying to get into the program. I have had the pleasure of observing our participants. Their faces tell the story. Expressions of joy and accomplishment permeate the room. Often students will let you know emphatically that the program is lots of fun. As an educational administrator, the essence of the educational process should be fun. This unique and wonderful program has allowed our special needs population an opportunity to learn how to play the guitar while they are engaged in concept building and the acquiring of a variety of learning skills. The Guitars not Guns Program is a tremendous asset to Rock Creek Academy.

    — Bettye A. Bellamy, High School Principal —

  • I cannot express to you the joy you brought to our boys last night…They are all so excited to be a part of your program.

    — Nick, Boys Group Home Manager —

  • When (the guitar teachers come) I feel that I can be as good as them at guitar.

    — Ryan, Student in homeless shelter —

    • [/testimonial_slide]

  • After exploring the inner landscapes of the Guitars not Guns Program, I agreed to move forward and introduced (the program) to our students. By all means, it is probably one of the best decisions that I have made as Principal of the high school program at Rock Creek Academy.

    — Bettye A. Bellamy, High School Principal —

  • I like playing the guitar because it expresses how you feel through music. Playing the guitar is a lot of fun. It may look hard but it is very easy once you learn the notes. I think being in the guitar class helps a lot of students express themselves through playing it. Playing the guitar is a lot of fun. I play the guitar when I don’t express myself and I think it helps a lot. I enjoy playing the guitar.

    — Imani, Student —

info@guitarsnotguns.org

770-861-2443

P.O. Box 3562, Peachtree City, GA 30269

Contact

We'd really love to hear from you so why not drop us an email and we'll get back to you as soon as we can.

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By providing children and teens with guitars and lessons, we hope to engage their creative potential and provide a positive outlet for negative emotions.

— —

We are Grateful to Our Supporters

Guitars not Guns is so grateful to our supporters! Here is a list of some great organizations that have helped us in our mission to serve foster and at-risk youth throughout the nation.

 

GibsonThe Music LinkEgo PicksD'Addario Strings

 

Events

11-15-18 FINAL PRESS RELEASE FOR 11-24-18 BENEFIT

Art Guitars and Signed Guitars Silent Auction
October 6, 2018

Police department graduates guitar class.

Guitars not Guns events and Chapter Facebook Pages below . 

(GNG) Chapter Facebook Pages Below

Santa Cruz, CA


Monterey, C


Contra Costa

Canada

DC

Ohio

Oregon 

Athens, GA

Home GnG

WA

NC

MD

 

Barbara Gorin Threads of Hope- https://www.facebook.com/barbara.a.gorin/videos/20177402969

CONTE

Chapters

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Are you interested in volunteering? Check the list below to see if there is a chapter in an area near you. Don’t see a chapter near you and are interested in possibly starting one? Click here to contact us.

AL | AZ | CA | FL | GA | MI | MD | NC | OH | OR | PA | SC | TX| WA | WASHINGTON, D.C. | CANADA

 

 

Alabama

 

– Mobile –

Director – Wilson Newell 

– Foley –

Director – Reggie Pulliam

225-572-4551

Arizona

 

– Maricopa County –

Maricopa Chapter Website

Director – Ryan Countrymen, 602-748-3611

Assistant Director – Melinda Frankel

Treasurer – Faydra Romero

Community Relations Director – Pablo Rodriguez

Board Member – Tammie Evans

California

– Alameda County –

Director – Andrea President, 510-556-4146

Assistant Director – Claytoven Richardson

Treasurer – Scott Marsh

– Contra Costa County –

Contra Costa Chapter Website

Director – Barbara Gorin

Treasurer – Bruce Johnson

Secretary – Deborah McKim

VP, Instruction – Brooks Lundy

VP, Special Projects – Jay Kirkland

– Los Angeles County –

Los Angeles County Chapter Website

Director – NEEDED

                                – Monterey County –

Monterey Chapter Website

Director – Steve Vagnini

Assistant Director – Todd Kruper

Facebook

Treasurer – Deirdre Bascou

– San Francisco County –

Assistant Director – Tim Hall

             – Sonoma County –

Director – Douglas Wile, 414-614-5752

– Santa Clara County –

Director – Bob Megantz, 408-257-8330

Treasurer – Peter Lambert, 408-979-9379

                          – Santa Cruz –

Director – Mike Keller, 831-332-7614

Assistant Director – Bob Fisher

Treasurer – Joanie Fisher 

– San Lorenzo –

Director – Patti Maxine

– San Benito County –

Director – Mike Smith, 831-902-8169

Florida

–  Florida Chapter –

Director – TBA

 

Georgia

– Clarke County –

Director – Caroline Aiken

website

Secretary/Treasurer – open

– Fayette County –

Director – Louise Nelson

– Fulton County –

Secretary – Mary Ellen Jones

Treasurer – Sharon Powell

Michigan

 

– Oakland County –

Director – Bret Hoag

 

Maryland

 

– Allen J Whitt Jr. Chapter –

Allen J Whitt Chapter Website

Director – Donna Hammond

Assistant Director – Nancy Johnstone

Treasurer – Tanya Adams

Marketing – Mindy Whitt

 

North Carolina

 

– Greensboro –

Director – Dan Dziuban

 

Ohio

 

– Franklin County –

Director – Ryan Lunka, 614-623-9116

 

Oregon

 

– Pacific Northwest –

Director – Richard Salazar

831-212-2614

 

Pennsylvania

 

– Philadelphia –

Director – Zeve Cohen, 610-290-2330

Assistant Director – Mike Fioriglio, 610-751-5185

Treasurer – Ilan Cohen, 610-331-6869

South Carolina

 

– Richland County –

Director – Douglas McConnell, 803-790-8155

 

Texas

– Dallas –

Director – Lila Williams

Assistant Director – Randall Ramsay

– Plano –

Director – Chris Berry, 214-558-4263

Washington

 

– King County –

Director – Tim Wong

Assistant Director- Gary Gill

Treasurer – Derek Backholm

Student Outreach – Jack Ballard

                                                Marketing – Ben Wyatt

 

 

Washington, D.C.

 

Director – Shaady Fakhrai

240-888-4269

 

Canada

GNG Canada Twitter

GNG Canada Instagram

Director – Michelle Diaz, 416-562-9758

Program Development and Community Relations – Jessica Mondello

Fundraising Director – Leslie Shoichet

Copyright© 2000-2015 Guitars not Guns®

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