The Tiyya Foundation is an award-winning 501 (c)(3) known for transforming the refugee living experience in the Greater Los Angeles & surrounding areas. Since 2010, Tiyya has led the charge for impacting thousands of families through innovative education, arts, and recreation programs. Founded by Meymuna Hussein-Cattan and her mother, Owliya Dima, the Mayor of Los Angeles recently awarded the organization’s leaders acknowledging its positive impact on society. The story for Tiyya began in 1984 when co-founders Owliya and her daughter Meymuna settled in Southern California as refugees. In the early ’90s, Owliya began volunteering. Coming from Ethiopia, Owliya knew first-hand the challenges refugees face in resettlement. Taking matters into her own hands, she started efforts to help others find stability and navigate the same complex challenges. In 2010, Tiyya was formally established. Today, numbers of refugee resettlement are on the steady decline. To sustain our efforts, we have pivoted away from basic necessities to focusing on 2 core programs centered around healthier childhoods after displacement & college readiness.
We provide community support and educational opportunities for families of refugees, immigrants, and displaced Americans. In doing so, we hope to create a community that fosters the development of self-sufficiency, ultimately helping our program participants overcome obstacles and actively participate in society.
