Hasbrouck Heights Teen Joins Lady Gaga's Kindness Foundation

HASBROUCK HEIGHTS, NJ — A borough native who is passionate about helping Syrian refugees has been honored for her work.

Nour Abdelwahab, 18, has been named to the second class of Channel Kindness reporters, a initiative of Lady Gaga's Born This Way Foundation. The digital channel features stories exclusively by students that focus on good deeds and positivity.

Abdelwahab was born and raised in Egypt, but immigrated to the United States about the time Arab Spring occurred. She is pursuing economics, public policy and computer science at New York University.

She is a "proud intersectional feminist" who is passionate about immigration and refugee rights, the foundation stated in a press release. She helps Syrian refugees resettle and adapt to life in New Jersey.

“Young people today have the vision, passion, and creativity required to drive the positive change we need, now more than ever. What they need are the resources and opportunities to lead that change,” said Cynthia Germanotta, Born This Way Foundation president and co-founder. “Channel Kindness is a platform for this diverse and engaged generation to tell the stories that reflect and inspire their peers and communities.”

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Photo: Nour Abdelwahab, second from right/Courtesy of Kindness Foundation