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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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.
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.
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.
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!
Watch the video of the news broadcast! https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/barbara-gorin-east-bay-nonprofit-guitars-not-guns/
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 BLUB, 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.
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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
CONTRA COSTA BENEFIT CONCERT- NOVEMBER 30TH, 2024
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 .
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
https://www.facebook.com/GuitarsNotGunsMontereyCounty?mibextid=LQQJ4d
Matt Cole-Director: matt.cole@guitarsnotguns.org
https://www.facebook.com/gngsc?mibextid=LQQJ4d
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, 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
Ray & Lousie Nelson -Founders: Louise@guitarsnotguns.org
P.O. Box 494, Milliken, CO 80543
Phone: 770-861-2442
https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1CBU2QXEm9/?mibextid=WC7FNe
Kendall County
Director – Brian Schoeneck, Brian@guitarsnotguns.org
Assistant Director – Alex Gustafson, Alex.gustafson@guitarsnotguns.org
Secretary/Treasurer- Amanda Schoeneck, Amanda.Schoeneck@guitarsnotguns.org
Director – Donna Hammond
Assistant Director – Nancy Johnstone
Treasurer – Tanya Adams
Marketing – Mindy Whitt
https://www.facebook.com/allensgiftmd?mibextid=LQQJ4d
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:
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.