Guitars Not Guns
The formula is simple: Put guitars into the hands of kids ages 8 to 18, for free, and then provide them with music lessons – led by instructors who are barely older than they are, real-life role models. The Monterey County chapter of this national nonprofit is now some 1,650 guitars and seven years deep, with music lessons at eight locations. Besides developing music skills, there’s an inevitable sense of belonging that comes from playing music with other people. Whether or not that keeps these kids from ever picking up a firearm, there’s no doubt the world could use more of that these days.