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.
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.
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.
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
CELEBRATING 25 YEARS of serving Children in our Communities! Thank you, Ray & Louise Nelson for giving the gift of Guitars Not Guns to so many deserving Children!!! We appreciate you, and honor you today and always!! htpps://youtu.be/7X9x58m00n8?si+q50HNC7wMRXEYymR
Maryland Teen Giving Back: Lucas Stelzner is raising funds for Guitars Not Guns-Maryland Chapter of Allen’s Gift of Music
Way to go Lucas! Guitars Not Guns appreciates your talent, and encouragement to kids in need! We honored Lucas today with this very special post! As a thank you for your support and dedication to helping further our mission! “Hello, I’m Lucas Stelzner and I am raising money for an organization called Guitars Not Guns. I will be giving this money to the Maryland Chapter of this organization, called Allen’s Gift of Music. The goal of Guitars Not Guns is to provide guitar lessons to children whose lives are touched by violence in their community. They provide guitars, lessons, teachers, classroom space, and books to kids from across the U.S. and Canada. The reason I chose Guitars Not Guns is because of my own love of music and guitar. I have been playing guitar since I was 5 and it has been a huge part of my life ever since. I really think that learning music can have a huge impact on a kid’s life, changing it for the better in such amazing ways. I know that whenever I am feeling down and not my best, I can turn to my guitar and playing it brings me to a place of joy. I really want to give this experience to other kids, especially kids who have experienced the horror of gun violence in their lives.”
CELEBRATING SANTA CRUZ, CA GRADUATING CLASS OF JUNE 2025
Pictures of a recent graduating class at Green Acres elementary school. The principal was in attendance at the graduation, along with lots of parents supporting these great kids. Special Thanks: Teachers: Delle and Marty who helped Director Matt Cole teach this combined Level 1 & 2 group. “I could not have done it without them”! -Matt Cole
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AMERICA’S HEARTLAND GRADUATING CLASS OF 2025-CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
Held at the Minooka, IL Village Community Room, Guitars Not Guns Chicago graduated six new students from Level one class this month! Their students were taught and excelled at chords, rhythm, and musical notation. Our graduation ceremony included a live performance of You Really Got Me by The Kinks in front of a live audience. Special Thanks: This class was made by possible by our instructors, Jake Cortina, Dave Strahanoski, Brian Schoeneck and the incredible generosity of our supporters: The Minooka Women’s Club, Dr. Wood’s Guitar Emporium in Fox River Grove, IL, Neat Guitars in Shorewood, IL, Gigi Cairo, Betsy Pawlicki, Jacob Ziech, Patty Smith Klingberg, Pam Reichenbach, Kaley Koran, Ty Pursell, and Lisa Stallman Loden.
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Guitars Not Guns – Contra Costa, CA Chapter Interview with KTVU Fox2 Zip Trip
Let’s Celebrate “Making Music Day” the Contra Costa Way, June 21, 2025
Let’s celebrate our Contra Costa, CA Chapter of Guitars Not Guns and Director Barbara Gorin, for receiving the CBS News Bay Area ICON AWARD! Join us in congratulating them on this remarkable achievement!
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Guitars Not Guns- Allen’s Gift, Maryland Chapter | North East, Maryland, A few students of the Graduating Class of May 2025
Special Thank you to: Teacher, Bruce Fite, North East Elementary School, and Donna Hammond
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Performance from King County, Washington State Chapter
So many great events and graduation performances taking place! Check out the level 2 students in King County, Washington State performing Hallelujah. Congratulations Students!
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Check out and Watch the video of the news broadcast, with the students and Teachers of Contra Costa, CA.
https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/barbara-gorin-east-bay-nonprofit-guitars-not-guns/
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Guitars Not Guns would like to personally “Thank” our Donors, Sponsors, and Honor those in Memory of donations:
Personal Donations: AARON & SHARON GREGG, ALICIA CACKLEY, AMY FLEMING, ANN THOMPSON/CHRIS HADDIG, ANONYMOUS, BARBARA VASCO, BEHTANY KNIGHT, CAROL & ALAN LACEY, CREMA, DAVE ARCHBALD, DOROTHY JEAN BEARD, GLORIA CONTENT, JAN VALENCIA, JEFFREY RUARK, JIM DOUGLAS, KELLY RANKIN, LEIGH CAGAN, LUCY SQUIRES, MARK NEWEL FAMILY, MATTHEW AND JILL MCCULLOCH, MICHAEL AND EMMA ROCK, MICHAEL FOLEY, NINA RYAN, OLIVIA PANELLA, PATRICIA GOMEZ, PAUL SECREST, RACHEL BARECK, RICHARD HANDEL, ROBERT PHAV, THOMAS MCCUE, TONI MINERVA, VAL STEINBERG, VALERIE HARE, WENDY SPCIALE, FOUNDATIONS: 100 WOMEN THAT CARE, ACE PRODUCTS, AROMAS/SAN JUAN UNIFIED SCHOOL FOUNDATION, ARTS COUNCIL OF SAN BENITO COUTY, CA, BACKLINE RESOURCES, BANK OF AMERICA, BARR FOUNDATION, BONNAROO, BRIDGE BUILDERS FOUNDATION, CALI ROOTS FOUNDATION, CAMERA CREATIVE MEDIA, CA SPORTS DESIGN, CCC BAR ASSOCIATION, CITY OF NEWNAN, GA, COMMUNITY FOUNDATION, COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF GRUNDY COUNTY, IL., COMMUNITY FOUNDATION OF SAN BENITO COUNTY, CA, COMMUNITY FUND FOR FOX VALLEY REGION, COMPASS HOUSING ALLIANCE, CONTRA COSTA LIBRARIES, CA, CSUMB, D’ADDARIO FOUNDATION, DANGEROUS GROOVES RECORDS, DAWNS DREAM, DEAN MARKLEY, DECEMBER CHILDEN, DG BRUNGARD FOUNDATION, DUNLOP PRODUCTS, EASTERN ATLANTIC STATES REGIONAL COUNCIL OF CARPENTERS, EDWARD JONES, EGO PICKS, ENGLISH ALES, ERNIE BALL, FAACE MAGNOLIA, FERTIG FREEDOM FOUNDATION SOUTHWEST KEY PROGRAM, FIRST NIGHT MONTEREY, FIRST NIGHT SANTA CRUZ, FIRST UNITARIAN CHRUCH OF SAN JOSE, CA, FRANCES E. YARBER, FRIENDS OF MARINA LIBRARY, CA, FRIENDS OF PETALUMA LIBRARY, CA, FOSTER.ADOPT RESOURCE CENTER, SAN JOSE, CA, GALANTE WINE, GAP FOUNDATION, GIBSON GUITARS FOUNDATION, GLASSY ART GALLERY, GRANITE CONSTRUCTION, WATSON VILLE, CA, HEBREW CONGREGATIONAL, OAKLAND, CA., HERITAGE UNIVERSAL UNITARIAN CHURCH, HEWLETT PACKARD FOUNDATION, HEY JUDY PRODUCTIONS, HOLZER 25/FNM 150, HOT PICKS, IBM EMPLOYEE GIVING, KMC-MCKESSON CORP MUSIC, KORG, KORG DT TUNERS, KVHS RADIO 90.5, CONCORD, CA, KWANIS, LM STRAPS, MANITON FUND, MARINA ALES, MARINA LIFE CENTER, MARKSTEIN SALES CO., M.C.WEEKLY GIVES, MILLER COMMUNITY CENTER, MILLWRIGHTS LOCAL 219,443,715, MINOOKA WOMENS CLUB, IL., MISSION FISH, MONO CASE, MONTEREY BLUES FESTIVAL, MONTEREY COUNTY OFFICE OF EDUCATION, MONTEREY MUSEUM OF ART, NELSON B DELAVAN FOUNDATION, NEWNAN, GA POLICE DEPARTMENT, NEWNAN, GA ROTARY, NEWNAN-COWETA JAYCEES, NEWPORT FESTIVALS FOUNDATION, NOONAN FAMILY FOUNDATION, ONA MURPHY TRUST, ONE FAMILY MUSIC FOUNDATION, OPERATING ENGINEERS LOCAL 3,CA., OTHER BROTHER, PAJWELL FOUNDATION, PEACHTREE CITY, GA LIBRARY, PENNGROVE COMMUNITY HUB, CA, PG&E, PHI MU ALPHA SINFONIA, OK, PHISH, PICK WORLD, PIKCARD, POPEYES, REEE/EVERETT/GUITARCOLLEGE, RIETMAN GIVING FUND, ROTARY OF HOLLISTER, CA, ROTARY OF SAN JUAN BAUTISTA, CA, SAMUEL HALES COMMUNITY FOUNDATION, SAN BENITO FOUNDATION, SAND CITY WEST END CELEBRATION, SAN JUAN BAUTISTA SERVICE CLUB, SANTA CRUZ GUITARS, SHURE, SIDESPLITTERS COMEDY CLUB, SIGMA ALPHA IOTA, OK., SOUND HEALTH PARTNERS, SPALDING ROOKER TRUST, SPARKLE OF LIFE, STEVEN STILLS GUITAR, TAISHOFF FAMILY FOUNDATION, TARGET, TC MARTIN FAMILY FOUNDATION, TESAS INSTRUMENTS FOUNDATION, THE BONE 107.7, CA., THE BREEDLOVES, TREVOR LUCIENT CONCERT, UMC OF GULF SHORES, UNITARIAN CONGREGATION OF ATLANTA, GA., UNITED WYA, UNIVERSAL MUSIC FOUNDATION, VINNIES BAR AND GRILL, CONCORD, CA., WEAVER ACADEMY, WELLS FARGO BANK, WHITE ALBUM ENSEMBLE, SANTA CRUZ, CA, WISE MUSIC, XOX AUDIO. IN MEMORY OF: SAMUEL EMMETT BOSMAN, AARON BROWN, ALLEN J. WHITT JR., JAMES LEVELL BROWN, JOEL HUNT, MICHAEL CORINOCORBIN KING, LARRY LEE, MICHAEL LEIDEL, MICHAEL MARLEWSKI, RAY NELSON, CHRIS SIMPON, HELENA STANBRIDGE, MICHAEL TWOMEY, J.WILCOX. CLASS SITES: BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB, ATHENS, GA, MOBILE, AL., SANTA CRUZ, CA., JOHN STEINBECK LIBRARY, CA., MARINA LIBRARY, CA., PEACHTREE CITY LIBRARY, GA., PETALUMA COMMUNITY CENTER, CA., NEWNAM POLICE DEPT., GA., SANTA CLARA FOSTER/ADOPT RESOURCE CENTER, CA., SONOMA COUNTY LIBRARY, CA., NORTH EAST ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, NORTH EAST, MD., CECILTON ELEMENTARY SHCOOL, CECILTON, MD., ELKNECK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, ELKNECK, MD.
Memorial Celebration at NAMM honoring our late founder Ray Nelson
25 Year Milestone Award Presented at the 2025 NAMM Show
Founder’s Ray and Louise Nelson, Pictured Louise Nelson and Dan Del Fiorentino of NAMM
National Board left to right: Richard Salazar, Donna Hammond, Barbara Gorin, Louise Nelson and Dan Del Fiorentino of NAMM, Not pictured: Steve Vagnini
Pictures from NAMM, National Board members pictured along with Chapter Directors from Oregon, Maryland, Contra Costa, CA and Sonoma, CA
Richard Salazar, Donna Hammond, Founder Louise Nelson and Barbara Gorin, not pictured: Steve Vagnini
CONTRA COSTA BENEFIT CONCERT- NOVEMBER 30TH, 2024
OCTOBER 4-5, 2024: KIDS MUSIC DAY/CREATIVE CONCORD’S ART & MUSIC JAM
The Contra Costa Chapter would like to Thank all our amazing sponsors and supporters. We are excited to be graduating our final class of 2024, and look forward to our new sessions in 2025!
Guitar Art Silent Auction-Contra Costa, CA Chapter: Oct.4-Oct.12, 2024
November 30, 2024 Contra Costa, CA Chapter Press Release
November 30, 2024: Guitars Not Guns-Contra Costa Chapter Children’s Music Charity Annual Fundraising Concert Event
May is National Foster Care Month
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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Our King County, Washington State Chapter is in the News, Check out the interview with Fox13 in Seattle
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
Art Guitars and Signed Guitars Silent Auction
October 6, 2018
Police department graduates guitar class.
Guitars not Guns events and Chapter Facebook Pages below .
Chapters
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.
California
– Contra Costa County –
-Marin County-
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
– Monterey County –
Steve Vagnini-Director: steve.vagnini@guitarsnotguns.org
Assistant Director: Tim Patchin
Secretary/Treasurer: Joe
https://www.facebook.com/GuitarsNotGunsMontereyCounty
– Santa Cruz –
Matt Cole-Director: matt.cole@guitarsnotguns.org
https://www.facebook.com/gngsc
– 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/GNG-SanBenito
-SONOMA COUNTY-
Stephan Avanozian – Director, stephan.avanozian@guitarsnotguns.org
Scott Harrop – Assistant Director, scott.harrop@guitarsnotguns.org
Susan King – Secretary/Treasurer, susan.king@guitarsnotguns.org
Vernelle Gomez-Boyd – Community Outreach, vernelle.gomez-boyd@guitarsnotguns.org
Sonoma County, CA Facebook link: facebook.com/guitarsnotguns.sonoma
-Colorado Corporate Office-
Ray & Lousie Nelson -Founders: Louise@guitarsnotguns.org
P.O. Box 494, Milliken, CO 80543
Phone: 770-861-2442
https://www.facebook.com/GNG-National
-Illinois-
Kendall County
Director – Brian Schoeneck, Brian@guitarsnotguns.org
Assistant Director – Alex Gustafson, Alex.gustafson@guitarsnotguns.org
Secretary/Treasurer- Amanda Schoeneck, Amanda.Schoeneck@guitarsnotguns.org
Maryland
– Allen’s Gift Maryland Chapter –
Director – Donna Hammond
Assistant Director – Nancy Johnstone
Treasurer – Tanya Adams
Marketing – Mindy Whitt
https://www.facebook.com/allensgiftmd
North Carolina
-Charlotte County-
Mimi Langston-Director: mimilangston@gmail.com
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
Contra Costa, California QR Code:
Donations
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.
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