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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NOTICE: CORPORATE OFFICE ADDRESS CHANGE:
PO BOX 494 MILLIKEN, CO 80543
Many of our students are the victims of abuse or neglect. We provide an environment where kids can feel safe, secure, and valued.
Our students walk away from our class with the knowledge they can accomplish challenging goals with some commitment and dedication.
Our class helps to fuel the creativity of our students allowing them to express their emotions in a positive and constructive way.
Yes, we teach guitar. But more than that we commit to be dependable, engaged, authentic, and tuned into the needs of our students.
https://www.facebook.com/GuitarsNotGunsMusicProgram
Our mission is delivered by our passionate volunteers and generous donors. Get involved in this great organization today.
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.
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.
QUICK NOTE FROM GUITARS NOT GUNS
Date: September 20, 2021
From: Ray and Louise Nelson, Corp. Office
To: All
Re: Moratorium on New Chapters During Covid
Message:_________________________________________________
Hi Folks,
First, we want to thank our volunteers for stepping up where there is a growing need for kids to find an alternative to violence. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. And Thank You to the many requests to begin a Guitars not Guns chapter in your area. However, keeping the kids safe is our highest priority.
It has been quite a year, and we know it will pass – we just have to have patience – and patience is one of the lessons we teach our special kids. We do regret having to announce that, due to the current pandemic and variants, the Executive Board has decided to place a moratorium on opening new chapters. It was a difficult decision because gun violence affects our children in so many harmful ways – but so does the pandemic. Our current volunteers are having as many virtual classes as possible to keep the children engaged with their guitars and the many benefits of knowing they still have a friend in their guitar when sad moments occur.
We know you will understand and we promise to post any changes as soon as they occur. Our priority is the safety of the children.
Sincerely,
Ray and Louise Nelson
Co-Founders, Guitars not Guns
No Paid Employees.
All Volunteers.
All the Time.
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.
NOTICE: CORPORATE OFFICE ADDRESS CHANGE:
GUITARS NOT GUNS – PO BOX 494 MILLIKEN, CO 80543
NOTICE: CORPORATE OFFICE ADDRESS CHANGE:
PO BOX 494 MILLIKEN, CO 80543
The month of May is National Foster Care Month (NFCM) May is an important opportunity to spread the word about the needs of the more than 319,000 children and young people in foster care. A Blue ribbon is the color and symbol for National Foster Care month. May 31, 2024 is Foster Parent appreciation Day. We each can play a part in enhancing the lives of children and youth in foster care through programs such as Guitars Not Guns. For more information regarding Foster Care visit; childwelfare.gov
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Let’s Thank our Teacher’s during “Teachers Appreciation week.” Thank you for all that you do to keep this organization and the kids of Guitars Not Guns tuned into the guitar and music! Happy Teacher Appreciation Week!!
–GIVING TUESDAY-GIVE THE GIFT OF MUSIC TO A CHILD IN NEED! Your gift of just $50 will provide an at-risk/foster child with 8 weeks of music lessons, an acoustic guitar, music stand, instructional booklet, tuner and strap. Lesson’s are provided by our volunteers/instructors who are all volunteers, all the time! We are a non-profit 501c3 organization. So, your donation goes directly to educating the children in music! Any donation amount will be greatly appreciated, and make an everlasting impact on a child in need.
Contra Costa’s Annual Children’s Music Charity held on Saturday, November 25th, 2023. Come out and support the kids of Guitars Not Guns and have a great time! Be sure to read the press release for all the exciting offers!
Check out the Contra Costa County, CA Chapter on KTVU Channel 2 News interview on the open house in the East Bay area for Guitars Not Guns! https://www.ktvu.com/video/1289073
Check us out again on KRON Channel 4 News-Contra Costa County, CA in the Concord Library, Making music with the Kids of Guitars Not Guns! https://youtu.be/ue65anY7wfQ?si=O6kf77ppxkbN7oWD
Another Chapter in the News! Western, MA News in Springfield, MA and what Guitars Not Guns is doing to help juveniles to escape the violence through Music with Guitars Not Guns at the Boys and Girls Club. https://www.westernmassnews.com/2023/09/29/local-programs-look-step-up-decrease-juvenile-violence-springfield/
>Check out what the Contra Costa Times has to say about the graduating class from the Antioch session. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v+eBa5XHOoSBs
Guitars Not Guns 2019 Annual Children’s Music Charity Fundraising Concert Event
Police department graduates guitar class.
Guitars not Guns events and Chapter Facebook Pages below .
(GNG) Chapter Facebook Pages Below
Santa Cruz, CA
Barbara Gorin Threads of Hope- https://www.facebook.com/barbara.a.gorin/videos/20177402969
NOTICE: CORPORATE OFFICE ADDRESS CHANGE:
PO BOX 494 MILLIKEN, CO 80543
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.
Holly Hollenbeck-Director, Email: Holly.hollenbeck@guitarsnotguns.org
Beatriz Mejia-Assistant Director, Email: Beatriz.Mejia@guitarsnotguns.org
Miki Sakata-Treasurer, Email: Miki.Sakata@guitarsnotguns.org
Steve Vagnini-Director: steve.vagnini@guitarsnotguns.org
Assistant Director: Tim Patchin
Secretary/Treasurer: Joe Braun
Matt Cole-Director: matt.cole@guitarsnotguns.org
Steve Harris-Director/Instructor-
Phone: (831) 333-6615 and Email: Steve.Harris@guitarsnotguns.org or steveharris1957@gmail.com
Richard Primont-Asst. Director/Lead Instructor-
Phone: (831) 801-9309 and Email: rjprimont@gmail.com
Bob Quaid-Secretary/Treasurer
Ana Garcia-Instructor
Bruce Gilsenen-Lead Instructor
Ramona Hill-Lead Instructor
Richard Primont- Lead Instructor, 2nd Level
Martha Quezada-Instructor Assistant
Devin Espinoza-Instructor
Doug Moore-Instructor
Jim Asceves-Lead Instructor (AKA Cisco Jim the singing Cowboy)
Brandon Kett-Instructor
Trisha Kett-Instructor
Facebook Link: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100086063786064&mibextid=LQQJ4d
-SONOMA COUNTY-
Stephan Avanozian-Director, Email: stephan.avanozian@guitarsnotguns.org
Susan King- Secretary/Treasurer, Email: susan.king@guitarsnotguns.org
Vernelle Gomez-Boyd-Assistant Director, Email: vernelle.gomez-boyd@guitarsnotguns.org
Ray & Lousie Nelson -Founders: Louise@guitarsnotguns.org
P.O. Box 494, Milliken, CO 80543
Phone: 770-861-2442
Adam Griffith-Director: AGriffith@cityofnewnan.org
Todd Bethel-Director: Todd.bethel@guitarsnotguns.org
Bret Hoag-Director: hoag2@oakland.edu
Director – Donna Hammond
Assistant Director – Nancy Johnstone
Treasurer – Tanya Adams
Marketing – Mindy Whitt-Ostroski
Will Terpenig-Director
Nick Langston-Director: nicklangstonjr@gmail.com
-Depoe Bay-
Richard Salazar-Director: richard.salazar@guitarsnotguns.org
Assistant Director: Karen Murray
Secretary/Treasurer: Linda Perez
Tim Wong-Director: tim.wong@guitarsnotguns.org
Assistant Director: Jack Ballard
Secretary Treasure: Derick Rackhorn
Contra Costa, California QR Code:
NOTICE: CORPORATE OFFICE ADDRESS CHANGE:
GUITARS NOT GUNS – PO BOX 494 MILLIKEN, CO 80543
You can help Guitars not Guns expand its music programs to reach even more kids in need. Any financial contribution is very much needed and greatly appreciated! Consider the following…
1) Our program is about helping foster children and at-risk youth everywhere
2) Guitars not Guns has no paid employees–we’re all volunteers. Virtually every dollar of your donation goes toward running the program, not paying salaries.
3) The average cost for holding an eight-week class for 10 students is about $1,000. That includes the following:
To make an online donation to Guitars Not Guns U.S., click below:
To make a donation to our Canadian chapter, please email president Michelle Diaz via this button. The Canadian chapter is a registered charity with Canada and donations are eligible for tax credits.