Julie Coker's first concert was when she went to see Justin Bieber at 13.
Seven years later, the Stockton University student found out Bieber is a fan of hers as well.
The social work major was received a $100,000 check from Bieber last week for her work on mental health awareness with Active Minds, a nonprofit supporting mental health awareness and education to young adults.
Bieber presented the check to her Friday, live on MTV.
“They just told me to be there and it would change my life,” she said. Coker had no idea Bieber was there.
“I’m still in shock,” Coker said Monday as she prepared to staff the Active Minds table in front of the Stockton library. “The check is in my room at home, but I still feel like it almost didn’t happen.”
The Union County woman who will graduate this year hopes to eventually work in a hospital as a crisis intervention social worker.
“Julie is one of the all-time great Stockton students,” said Assistant Director of Counseling Services Nathan Morell, the adviser for Active Minds. “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.”
Under her leadership, Active Minds has grown to host abut 50 events each year, and brought in some national speakers, Morell said.
“She is innovative, creative,” he said. “Now she can go on, get her master’s degree, and help save the world.
”The feeling is mutual.
"Nate has been a passionate mentor who believes so much in everything that I want to do," Coker said. "He is supportive and helps leaders grow in a way that is so amazing. He finds the people who he knows are going to be mental health advocates and puts them in the right direction.
"Coker's mental health advocacy has included sharing her own struggles in "Our Stories, Ourselves: Beating the Stigma of Mental Health in Colleges and Universities."
"I just thought it was the right thing to do and a good opportunity," she says of opening up about her own mental illness. "I finally felt comfortable sharing, and I knew that it would help many other people.
"In addition to the big check, Coker also got to meet with Bieber and his wife, Hailey Baldwin Bieber, backstage. She will also get tickets to an upcoming concert, the singer/songwriter's manager said.
After she graduates in May, Coker plans to use some of the Bieber money to go to graduate school.
“You don’t go into social work for the money but for the deep desire to help people," Coker said. “So this life-changing gift will help me start my career on the strongest financial footing possible and will enable me to help even more people. I’m so grateful to Justin Bieber for helping me forward on that path.”
Active Minds Executive Director Alison Malmon said “Julie is an amazing representation of the powerful young adults who are the driving force behind Active Minds, and who are leading the way in changing the national conversation around mental health.”
Coker said Active Minds helped her learn about mental health, and about leadership.
“Active Minds gave me the opportunity to educate other people, which is something I really love to do,” she said.
