Global superstar Lady Gaga is making waves in Atlanta — not just on stage, but in classrooms and counseling rooms across the city.
During her recent stop at State Farm Arena for the Mayhem Ball Tour, Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation donated $100,000 to COR, a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting young people through education, mental health services, and social empowerment.
But this donation is more than a headline — it’s already changing lives.
A Safe Space for Students to Connect and Grow
At Carver High School, students gather almost every school day after class at COR meetups held right on campus. These sessions provide a welcoming environment where students from Carver STEAM Academy and Carver Early College (EC) can connect, share ideas, and build unity.
For students like Alanna Goode, the program creates opportunities to strengthen relationships across schools and foster personal growth. The space acts as a bridge — encouraging collaboration, understanding, and mutual support.
Free Mental Health Counseling on Campus
One of COR’s most impactful offerings is free mental health counseling. A licensed social worker is available on campus, ensuring students have direct access to professional support when they need it most.
In a time when youth mental health challenges are rising nationwide, this kind of immediate, accessible care can make a life-changing difference.
The recent $100,000 donation will help fund the social workers who provide these services — ensuring students continue receiving consistent, compassionate care.
More Than Counseling: Real Support for Real Life
COR goes beyond mental health check-ins. The nonprofit provides:
- A free grocery store and boutique on campus
- After-school work opportunities for students
- Classes on health education, grief management, and human trafficking awareness
- Financial literacy workshops for parents
- Furniture and clothing support for families in need
Students like Isaiah Oakes say working in the on-campus store gives them structure and a productive outlet after class — something that feels both meaningful and calming.
Parents have also felt the impact. Many describe COR as a vital community resource that not only supports students but strengthens entire families.
Expanding Opportunities for Atlanta Youth
Jennifer Henn, executive director and co-founder of COR, says the goal is simple: empower young people with knowledge, opportunity, and self-care tools they may never have been exposed to before.
She emphasizes that mental health and self-care are not luxuries — they are essentials.
Carver High is just one of several schools partnering with COR, and the organization is actively working to expand its reach.
A Lasting Impact Beyond the Stage
While Lady Gaga’s performances draw thousands of fans, her philanthropic efforts are quietly creating ripple effects in communities that need it most.
Through the Born This Way Foundation’s generous donation, Atlanta students now have greater access to counseling, education, and life-changing opportunities.
For many young people at Carver, COR is more than an after-school program — it’s a safe space to grow, connect, and believe in what’s possible.
And thanks to this $100,000 boost, that mission just became even stronger.
