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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NOTICE: CORPORATE OFFICE ADDRESS CHANGE:
PO BOX 494 MILLIKEN, CO 80543
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.
https://www.facebook.com/GuitarsNotGunsMusicProgram
Facts About Guitars not Guns
Kids Served to date
Chapters in Operation
States with Chapters
Years Serving Our Communities
In the GNG Classroom
How Our Program Works
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.
Note: Moratorium on New Chapters During Covid
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
Volunteers Matter
- Improve Your Community
- Improve Kids’ Lives
- Feel Great
- Volunteer Your Time
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.
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.
NOTICE: CORPORATE OFFICE ADDRESS CHANGE:
GUITARS NOT GUNS – PO BOX 494 MILLIKEN, CO 80543
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.
News/Events
NOTICE: CORPORATE OFFICE ADDRESS CHANGE:
PO BOX 494 MILLIKEN, CO 80543
–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
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
Canada
Ohio
WA
MD
Sant Benito, CA
Barbara Gorin Threads of Hope- https://www.facebook.com/barbara.a.gorin/videos/20177402969
Chapters
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.
AL | AZ | CA | FL | GA | MI | MD | NC | OH | OR | PA | SC | TX| WA | WASHINGTON, D.C. | CANADA
California
– Contra Costa County –
– Monterey County –
Steve Vagnini-Director: steve.vagnini@guitarsnotguns.org
Assistant Director: Tim Patchin
Secretary/Treasurer: Joe Braun
– Santa Cruz –
Matt Cole-Director: mwcole@yahoo.com
– San Benito County –
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
-Colorado Corporate Office-
Ray & Lousie Nelson -Founders: Louise@guitarsnotguns.org
P.O. Box 494, Milliken, CO 80543
Phone: 770-861-2442
Georgia
-Coweta County-
Adam Griffith-Director: AGriffith@cityofnewnan.org
– Fayette County –
Todd Bethel-Director: Todd.bethel@guitarsnotguns.org
Michigan
-Franklin County –
Bret Hoag-Director: hoag2@oakland.edu
Maryland
– Allen J Whitt Jr. Chapter –
Director – Donna Hammond
Assistant Director – Nancy Johnstone
Treasurer – Tanya Adams
Marketing – Mindy Whitt-Ostroski
North Carolina
-Charlotte County-
Will Terpenig-Director
Nick Langston-Director: nicklangstonjr@gmail.com
Oregon
– Pacific Northwest –
-Depoe Bay-
Richard Salazar-Director: richard.salazar@guitarsnotguns.org
Assistant Director: Karen Murray
Secretary/Treasurer: Linda Perez
Washington
– King County –
Tim Wong-Director: tim.wong@guitarsnotguns.org
Assistant Director: Jack Ballard
Secretary Treasure: Derick Rackhorn
Canada
Donations
NOTICE: CORPORATE OFFICE ADDRESS CHANGE:
GUITARS NOT GUNS – PO BOX 494 MILLIKEN, CO 80543
Be a True Guitar Hero. Make a Contribution.
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:
- -Beginner guitars
- – Student manuals
- – Teacher manuals
- – Tuners, picks, spare strings, etc.
- – A graduation party including food and drinks for the kids
- – All graduates are invited back for a SECOND course of more advanced instruction (and even a third)!
U.S. Donations
To make an online donation to Guitars Not Guns U.S., click below:
DONATIONS TO CANADIAN CHAPTER
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.
Another form of support is through Amazonsmile. To support our organization while shopping with Amazon start your shopping at smile.amazon.com• Amazon donates 0.5% of your purchase to the our organization. Log into smile.amazon.com and select Guitars Not Guns•Amazon smile is the same Amazon you know. Same products, same prices, same everything! Just a different way to login to ensure our charity receives your donation.
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