- Last Friday, Lady Gaga announced that she will be funding classroom projects in the communities of Gilroy, California; El Paso, Texas; and Dayton, Ohio.
- All three were affected by mass shootings in the span of a single week.
- More than 160 classrooms will provide support for students’ mental health and to “bring their dreams to life.”
In a message posted to Facebook last Friday, Lady Gaga announced plans to fund classrooms in the towns of Gilroy, California; El Paso, Texas; and Dayton, Ohio—three communities recently ravaged by mass shootings within the span of one week.
The Academy Award–winning singer wrote, “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. Everyone has the right to laws that make them feel safe in their communities. 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.”
The pop star’s charity organization, Born This Way Foundation, will be partnering with DonorsChoose.org “to fully fund classroom project needs” in those areas.
https://www.facebook.com/ladygaga/posts/10157719557744574
The initiative will bring 14 classrooms to Dayton, 125 classrooms to El Paso, and 23 classrooms to Gilroy. According to Gaga, the project aims to provide “access to the support they need to inspire their students to work together and bring their dreams to life.”
The singer, who has long advocated for mental health awareness, also added, “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. 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.”
More than 30 people died in the Gilroy, El Paso, and Dayton shootings combined. Other celebrities have also vocalized their fury over these tragic events, including Grammy Award–winning singer Rihanna firing shots at President Donald Trump for his inaction on gun control.
“Imagine a world where it’s easier to get an AK-47 than a VISA,” Rihanna wrote.
From: Harper’s BAZAAR US
