02/13/2022
Los Angeles and Orange County-based Tiyya Foundation, has helped thousands of families with educational opportunities, career placement and basic necessities for several years. Director of Operations, Shukry Cattan, was the first person at the organization that I contacted last fall. Once Shukry told me that they were planning to launch a youth soccer program in 2022 and could definitely use soccer balls, I knew Free Throwz was a good fit!
Founded in 2010, Tiyya Foundation provides economic and educational opportunities for families of immigrants, refugees and indigenous communities. They help their participants become self-sufficient and overcome obstacles to actively participate in society. The program is so effective because it was founded by refugees who understand deeply the loss and trauma refugees have experienced and the enormous challenges refugees face in a new country.
Inclusion, kindness, empowerment, economic advancement—these are Tiyya Foundation’s core values and how their participants move forward, experience communities of support, and have access to economic opportunities to become self-sufficient.
When Jack and I arrived at Tiyya Foundation to drop off their donation, a video production team from Chapman University was filming a documentary about the organization. We tried not to interrupt while delivering the soccer balls to Case Manager, Mahmood Omid, but we may have got in the film!
It’s organizations like Tiyya Foundation, that show us the great work being done to lift up communities. We’re so fortunate to have met this amazing organization and we're so glad the soccer ball donations will help the kids in their program.
Let’s continue to help make sports accessible to all kids! Please help share our mission, Because Everyone Deserves to Have a Ball!
And a big thanks to Jack Herz, for all your help in spreading the word and helping to make this delivery a reality!
