Walker's Champion Page

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 2024- 2025 school year, GOGO is delivering high-impact programming to over 800 youth across 20 middle schools, 4 high schools, 5 community-based recording studios in Miami-Dade County and is supporting young men involved in the justice 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 10,000 young people. GOGO's curriculum emphasizes Positive Youth Development (PYD) outcomes through music and arts instruction. Each session begins with mentors leading a circle with the students and focusing on a life skills activity. Students then break up into groups associated with their chosen artistic discipline.

GOGO uses PYD learning measurements to evaluate 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 have a pathway after high school.