NO GUN SMOKE
SCHOOL TOUR INC.
CHANGE AGENTS IN THE COMMUNITY
EDUCATE l EMPOWER l ENGAGE l TRANSFORM
NO GUNS. NO VIOLENCE. JUST OPPORTUNITIES. BRIGHT FUTURES.
ABOUT US
Building Brighter Futures Through Opportunity
Since 2013, No Gun Smoke School Tour Inc. (NGSST) has created positive pathways for children, teens, and families by providing opportunities that encourage growth, creativity, wellness, education, leadership, and personal development.
NGSST was founded on a simple but powerful belief: young people need more than messages about what not to do. They need meaningful opportunities that show them what they can do. Violence prevention is not only about discouraging negative choices; it is about creating positive alternatives, supportive relationships, safe spaces, and experiences that allow young people to recognize their own potential.
Through partnerships with schools and community organizations, NGSST provides engaging enrichment programs designed to meet young people where they are. Our programming includes boxing, Double Dutch, soccer, fitness, juicing and nutrition, arts, fabric art, photography, theater and acting, music development, media production, barbering, carpentry, academic support, mentorship, entrepreneurship, and leadership development.
Each program provides more than an activity. Whether a young person is putting on boxing gloves, creating a piece of art, preparing a healthy juice, learning a trade, stepping onto a stage, completing an academic assignment, or discovering a new talent, the goal is the same: to build confidence, develop skills, strengthen relationships, and expand what young people believe is possible for their lives.
Our Approach
We recognize that every young person is different. Their interests, talents, challenges, and goals are different too. That is why NGSST uses a diverse approach to youth development that combines education, mentorship, recreation, health and wellness, creative expression, career exposure, leadership, and hands-on learning.
By connecting youth with caring adults, skilled facilitators, mentors, and meaningful experiences, we strive to create environments where young people feel seen, supported, encouraged, and empowered.
More Than Programs. We Create Possibilities.
Our commitment extends beyond the young people participating in our programs. We believe stronger youth contribute to stronger families, stronger schools, and ultimately stronger communities.
As “The Change Agents of the Community,” NGSST remains committed to working alongside schools, families, educators, community leaders, and organizations to create environments where young people can learn, grow, lead, and thrive.
NO GUNS. NO VIOLENCE. JUST OPPORTUNITIES. BRIGHT FUTURES.
Educate • Empower • Engage • Transform
Antoine Cassidy (Founder)-the Visionary
Antoine Cassidy moved to Bed-Stuy at only six years old, which was a nerve-wracking experience for anyone, but not in his case. Antoine was able to live his life to the fullest and change the lives of many. While growing up, he called his neighborhood "Vietnam," there were always "war tactics" that needed to be enforced for survival, but he didn't allow them to be his downfall; instead, they taught him a lot about life. These "war tactics" taught him who he was, ignited his ability to understand different people and their personalities and increased his development of excellent communication skills to connect with people from different walks of life; he used all these skills to navigate his journey. Those experiences motivated him to make changes and encourage others; according to Mr. Cassidy, he was known for being a drug dealer, but he yearned for a better image. This led him to start the No Gun Smoke School Tour Inc. non-profit organization. He believes the community desperately needs to stop gun violence, the selling and use of drugs, and the exploitation of women and children, but there is a lack of resources available. For these reasons, he founded the non-profit organization, and through its mission, he helps community members and schools change the narrative around gun violence and make a positive impact through the programming his organization provides. Over the years, he has worked with thousands of students and community members through the Department of Correction (Rikers Island) and a variety of school settings, with some schools including Eagle Academy, Life Academy, Ember Charter Schools, P.S.5, P.S.308, P.S. 309, P.S. 25, where he has provided mentorship, art therapy, music development, fabric art, pottery, photography, step, juicing and wellness, boxing, re-entry mentoring, etc., to participants. He is known for being authentic, genuine, honest, respectable, and easy to talk to. He uses his skills and personality to help kids build self-esteem and self-actualization so they can survive and flourish in their environments. To "flourish," he empowers children to believe in themselves and teaches the importance of entrepreneurship. Antoine helps them develop new skills that can help serve and save the community. One of Mr. Cassidy's favorite quotes is "Each One, Teach One." He believes we can all learn from each other and that everyone has something to offer the world. Antoine believes children are the future, and all they need is motivation to become active role models within their community.
