Chad & Bob Bernstein For Guitars Over Guns

Guitars Over Guns Organization (GOGO) is a free after school program that offers students a powerful combination of arts education and mentorship with professional musicians and artists (Mentors) to help them overcome hardship, find their voice, and reach their potential as tomorrow's leaders. 

During the 2025- 2026 school year, GOGO is delivering high-impact programming to over 800 youth across 17 middle schools, 3 high schools, 4 community-based recording studios in Miami-Dade County. Additionally GOGO supports young men involved in the legal system through their partnership with the GATE program at Jackson Health. 

All of the Mentors receive paid, trauma informed care training and leverage a shared songbook and teaching curriculum. Since launching in 2008, Guitars Over Guns has served over 11,000 young people. GOGO's curriculum focuses on Positive Youth Development (PYD) outcomes through music and arts instruction, access to safe after school spaces, with positive peer and adult support. Each session begins with mentors leading a circle with the students and focusing on a life skills activity, prior to music and art instruction. Throughout the year students build their confidence by testing it all out on stage through performance opportunities across Miami and beyond.

The GOGO team surveys and evaluates key competencies such as empathy, teamwork, initiative, responsibility and problem-solving. Built into the curriculum is also the M-Power Mental Health and Career Readiness Program. The end game is to ensure that all students feel supported in their life and career pathways after high school.