About us
since day oneIt started with one class and a room full of guitars.
Music to Grow By is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that provides music lessons and instruction to people in life-renewal programs across the Denver and Boulder metro areas — programs that treat addiction and trauma.
Our story
From one program to five.
After teaching more than 80 students in the New Life Program at Denver Rescue Mission, it was clear the need was bigger than one classroom. So we formed a nonprofit to bring music instruction to recovery programs throughout the Denver and Boulder areas.
- The beginning
Denver Rescue Mission
Guitar classes in the New Life Program reach more than 80 students.
- 2023
Stout Street Foundation & Sobriety House
Music to Grow By expands to two more Denver recovery programs.
- 2024
The Lodge at Haven Ridge
Our first program in Boulder.
- 2026
Harbor Lights (The Salvation Army)
Classes begin at the Salvation Army's Harbor Lights program.
How it works
Lessons that meet students where they are.
On-site lessons
We teach inside our partner programs, fitting into the schedule and structure they already have.
Guitar & music theory
Weekly 45-minute lessons, one-on-one or two-on-one, from first chords to advanced techniques. No experience needed.
Free for students
Students never pay. Donors and volunteers make every lesson possible.
Stories
You don’t know how much you are helping everyone.— Randy B., Student
Our partners
The programs we serve.
Denver Rescue Mission
Denver · Where it started
Stout Street Foundation
Denver · 2023Sobriety House
Denver · 2023
The Lodge at Haven Ridge
Boulder · 2024
Harbor Lights (The Salvation Army)
Denver · 2026Run a recovery or life-renewal program? Bring music to your students
Be the reason someone picks up a guitar.
…and keeps playing.Fund a student's first guitar, teach a lesson, or help us reach the next recovery program.