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Justin Bieber Gives Union Beach Woman $100K For Mental Health
Justin Bieber presented her with the giant check on MTV for her work in mental health awareness.
UNION BEACH, NJ — A Union Beach woman pushed mental health awareness so far that the Biebs took notice. Justin Bieber rewarded Stockton University senior Julie Coker with $100,000 for her work in the cause.
Bieber presented Coker with a giant $100,000 check Friday on MTV. The pop star honored her work with Active Minds, a nonprofit supporting mental health awareness and education to young adults.
The singer was interested in helping someone involved with mental health. He and his team chose Coker for her work with Active Minds. Coker is president of the Stockton chapter and also serves on the national Active Minds Student Advisory Committee.
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"I'm still in shock," Coker said. "The check is in my room at home, but I still feel like it almost didn't happen."
Coker has battled depression and anxiety. After Superstorm Sandy destroyed her family's home, Coker got help from counselors at Red Bank Regional High School. That made her want to help others.
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Active Minds has grown under Coker's leadership, hosting around 50 events per year, including some that bring in national speakers. Coker also participated in Stockton University Resiliency Project, telling her story on video to help reduce the stigma surrounding mental health issues.
"Julie is one of the all-time great Stockton students," said Active Minds advisor Nathan Morell. "She really hit the ground running and by her second year here was president of Active Minds. She works tirelessly year-round, even during the summer."
Coker is also a Bieber fan. Her first concert at age 13 was a Justin Bieber performance. On the set of MTV, she met Bieber and his wife, model Hailey Baldwin, backstage. His manager said Coker will also get tickets to one of Bieber's upcoming concerts.
The student will graduate in May with a social work degree. She will use some of the funds for attending graduate school. She is also considering starting a scholarship to help Red Bank Regional High School students attend college.
The MTV video in which Bieber presents the check to Coker has more than 1,000,000 views on YouTube.
"They just told me to be there and it would change my life," Coker said. "I didn't even know that (Bieber) would be there."
Watch the video below:
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