Chuck "Chief" Goulart brings a bit of military discipline to the kids he works with in Young Astronauts and the marching band.

Photo Credit: Joseph Cole

Chuck "Chief" Goulart's childhood was plagued with family troubles that he wants to help kids avoid.

Photo Credit: Joseph Cole

Nobody calls Chuck Goulart by his name inside the halls of Norwalk High School or Columbus Magnet School. They call him "Chief."

“I run them through a military customs and courtesies kind of ritual, and they call me ‘Chief,’ even the kindergartners,” Goulart said while sitting in Penny’s Diner.

Goulart serves as the Norwalk High School Marching Bears Inc. president and as the fitness coordinator for the Columbus Magnet School Young Astronauts Program. He also runs his own business, Anytime Appliance Repair Services.

Goulart grew up in a tough family situation; both parents were heavy drinkers and that history followed most of his nine siblings. He said he’s never touched a drop of alcohol, despite formally playing darts on a Budweiser-sponsored team. He found self-discipline in the Navy as a member of an Explosive Ordinance Disposal team. Later in life, he found his spiritual center in Christ and is now an youth speaker, elder and drummer at Grace Evangelical Free Church in Stamford.

From time-to-time he sees kids struggling with familiar themes from his own youth. “There are so many more hurting kids out there, so many broken kids out there. My heart goes out to them. They just need somebody to be there for them, care for them ask them how their day was,” said Goulart.

He has started a Support a Band Member program to raise funds. Many of the students can’t afford to be in band, but they can’t afford to not be in band, either, he says. Anyone interested in learning more or making a donation can reach him at presidentmbi@gmail.com.

As for the kids under his stewardship in band or young astronauts, Goulart has a warning he gives the new members every year. “I tell the kids, ‘From this moment on I have spies. I’ve paid your little brother, your little sister, your mom and dad. They all work for me. So any time you step out of line, even if they are letting you get away with it, it’s probably a test,’” he said while smiling and taking a sip of his seltzer water.