By Jess Baron | Executive Director
Dear Friend of our GITC Guitar Clubs for At-Risk-Youth,
Thank you for the immense generosity you are showing for students who are participating in our after school clubs. We're already planning to award graduating Guitar Club students with guitars next month. We truly cannot not make this happen without you! You are absolutely helping us move the needle on learning- and building hope for students' futures with this project!
As a result of your investment in this program, these Strummers Clubs in high-needs high schools are succeeding, expanding to new sites, and we are adding cool new services in 2026 to help students not only dream big, but learn how to work towards realizing their dreams.
This fall, we have guitar clubs going in 8 schools, and we're planning to expand again in 2026. In addition to programs at John Hope, Lincoln, Hoover, Morse, Madison, and San Diego High School, we're running guitar programs for students receving mental health support at the Merit Academy in El Cajon, and for unhoused students at the Monarch School in Barrio Logan. We'll also be going back to Maclay Middle School in Los Angeles Unified in January. The future looks bright with possibilities!
I hope you will share my excitement about our workforce development offerings for teens in San Diego, new this school year. We will be introducing them to possible careers related to guitar, but not necessarily as artists. There are so many wonderful careers in music that involve guitar but do not require becoming a virtuoso.
In January and February, Strummers will have a chance to learn hands-on how to change their own strings and clean their instruments, taught by professional luthiers. We are also preparing a master class for them with fingerstyle artist Muriel Anderson in March. They'll get to ask her questions about how to build an independent touring career, and they'll discover the magic of haro guitar! Then in April, all of the students in the San Diego clubs will be touring the Taylor Guitar factory to learn how guitars are designed and built, and how to apply for a job with Taylor after they graduate. We're also hoping to get them an in-person Q&A visit with a professional guitar tech out on tour with an arena level rock band before school ends. We'll also be giving them a list of music stores where they can apply for summer jobs.
We also just heard today that our home school district is interested in giving some of our Guitar Club students paid internships next summer helping younger students learn to play. That would be such a winning partnership, and we will let you know if it moves forward.
One last thing— this Giving Tuesday, December 2nd, I hope you will find it in your heart to contribute again and to share about your giving with a friend. Thank you for being that special someone who is making sure kids get a shot. Life can be rough, but your kindness is giving these students a reason to feel cared about, to do their best, and to keep the faith.
We believe in you, just as you believe in them! Thank you for the privilege of working for good with your support.
Wishing you a bountiful, peaceful, and joyful Thanksgiving,
Jess
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