Lady Gaga is Funding Classrooms in Cities Affected by Recent Mass Shootings

Lady Gaga, like many of us, is struggling to process the recent mass shootings but she’s doing her part to help by funding 162 classrooms in Dayton, Ohio, El Paso, Texas and Gilroy, California

August 12, 2019 - 13:16

Lady Gaga, like many of us, is struggling to process the recent mass shootings but she’s doing her part to help by 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. 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,” she wrote on Facebook on Friday.

The “Shallow” songstress revealed that her Born This Way Foundation has partnered with DonorsChoose — a platform that allows for donors to directly help public school classroom projects. She’s led Born This Way alongside her mother since its founding 2012 to help fund emotional and mental wellness for young people “with the goal of creating a kinder and braver world.”

“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.”

On the donation page, which states 10 projects have already been funded with more than $3k raised, she asked for others to help fund classroom projects, many of which ask for books to teach kindness. “I invite you to join me and help ensure young people start the school year with kindness. Please give with me to support teachers as they bring their students dreams to life.”

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 25 injured on Aug. 3. On July 28, three people were killed and up to 15 were injured in Gilroy where a gunman opened fire at the Garlic Festival.

“Surviving and recovering from these tragedies also mean prioritizing your mental health and checking in on your loved ones,” she wrote in the Facebook post. “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.”

Other celebs have been showing their support as well, including Bad Bunny and J Balvin who alongside Ozuna and Natti Natasha, held benefit concerts Aug. 8 in Dallas and Aug. 10 in Houston to assist those affected by the shootings in El Paso and Dayton. R&B singer and El Paso native Khalid announced he’ll perform a benefit concert for the families of the victims in Late August. He’s previously professed his love for the city with tracks “915” and “City of El Paso” and the first stop for his The Great Khalid Foundation back-to-school supply drive was K-8th grade James A. Hambric School in El Paso last Monday.

Houston Texans announced that they’re joining forces with the NFL Foundation, the league’s non-profit organization, to “donate $100,000 to the El Paso Victims’ Fund – El Paso Community Foundation.” The Dallas Cowboys and its nonprofit organization, the Gene and Jerry Jones Family Foundation, have also pledged a $50,000 donation to the fund.

These are some examples of how in the wake of tragedy communities are still able to come together and aid those who have been affected.