For the places we live and the communities we serve

"Refugees, Immigrants, and Indigenous people are all Alchemists. We lost everything and from nothing manifested so much, and survived displacement. Our stories should be celebrated, heard, and seen as inspirations and societal models for humanity."

- Meymuna Hussein-Cattan, CEO & Founder of Tiyya

 
History | Tiyya Foundation
 

Our History

Founded by refugee women from East Africa, The Tiyya Foundation was built on the personal experiences of Owliya Dima, and her daughter Meymuna Hussein-Cattan. Our core values are inclusion, empowerment, and economic advancement to help our program participants achieve economic mobility and community in the United States. Our identities and gifts stretch far beyond our experiences of displacement. We believe that those who survived displacement are the true alchemists who can create life after loss. Surviving tragedies should be celebrated, and we are changing the narrative.

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1984
1984

Owliya Dima and her daughter, Meymuna Hussein-Cattan, resettle in Southern California as refugees.

1985 - 1999
1985 - 1999

Owliya and her family navigate the challenges of resettlement. Her experience inspires her to help fellow refugees navigate these complex systems.

1999
1999

Owliya tirelessly devoted her efforts as a volunteer to assist newcomers with the challenging process of resettlement.

2010
2010

Tiyya Foundation was founded.

2010 - 2018
2010 - 2018

Tiyya Foundation has helped over 1,000 families with basic necessities, educational opportunities, and career placement.

2020
2020

The Tiyya Foundation launches its social enterprise restaurant, Flavors From Afar, in Little Ethiopia during the start of a global pandemic.

2021
2021

In response to the pandemic, Tiyya Foundation redesigns and launches new community development programs focused on supporting first and second generation immigrants balancing two or more cultures.

 

Our Board Members

Our Board Members

Adja Buyi Buyi

Tiyya Board Chair, Founder & CEO at Moor & Co

Brenda Duran

Strategic Communications Executive at Los Angeles County

Roya Fohrer

Sr.Counsel at Manning & Kass

Mukta Mohan

VP at Higher Ground Audio

Jennifer Nguyen

Sr. Strategy Manager at Salesforce

Saira Shariff

Tiyya Board Secretary, Managing Director I Capital Markets I Wealth Management at Accenture Strategy & Consulting

Our Team