Lady Gaga Will Fund 162 Classrooms in Dayton, El Paso and Gilroy Following Mass Shootings
Lady Gaga wants to inspire hope by giving back to communities who suffered heartrbreaking loss following the recent mass shootings.
On Friday, in a statement on Facebook, the Grammy Award-winning singer, 33, announced she will be funding 162 classrooms in Dayton, Ohio; El Paso, Texas and Gilroy, California.
“My heart goes out to those who were taken from us too soon and to their families, loved ones, and communities who are left to grieve,” the star wrote. “Everyone has the right to laws that make them feel safe in their communities.”
Gaga continued, “In this moment, I want to channel my confusion, frustration, and fury into hope. Hope that we are there for each other and for ourselves.”
Gaga revealed that her Born This Way Foundation is partnering with DonorsChoose — a nonprofit organization that allows individuals to donate directly to public school classroom projects. Through this partnership, she will be funding 162 classrooms across the three cities.
“Today, I find hope in the work of DonorsChoose.org and I’m proud to partner with them and with Born This Way Foundation to fully fund the classroom project needs in Dayton, OH, El Paso, TX, and Gilroy, CA,” she wrote. “14 classrooms in Dayton, 125 classrooms in El Paso, and 23 classrooms in Gilroy will now have access to the support they need to inspire their students to work together and bring their dreams to life.”
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The Oscar winner also told her followers in these communities to take care of their mental health and look out for the people around them.
“Surviving and recovering from these tragedies also means prioritizing your mental health and checking in on your loved ones. If you’re struggling, please be brave and tell a trusted someone. Don’t be scared to ask for help, I beg you,” she urged.
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“If you see a loved one struggling, please be brave and reach out, remind them it’s ok to not be ok, and listen to them. We cannot turn away from ourselves. We cannot turn away from our loved ones. We need each other. Don’t turn away.”
On Aug. 4, nine people were killed in a mass shooting on the streets of a popular nightlife area of Dayton, Ohio — less than 24 hours after a mass shooting in El Paso, Texas, inside a Walmart that left 22 dead and 24 injured on Aug. 3.
Less than a week before, on July 28, three people were killed and 15 were injured in Gilroy where a gunman opened fire at a food festival.
