The Tiyya Foundation

The Tiyya Foundation Tiyya is a non-profit organization that provides community support & educational opportunities for refugees, immigrants, and displaced American families.

We strive to provide community support and educational opportunities for refugees, low-income immigrants, and displaced American families. 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.

This Saturday, March 14 @ 6:00 PM, in partnership with Soka University of America’s Leadership and Service program, Tiyy...
03/09/2026

This Saturday, March 14 @ 6:00 PM, in partnership with Soka University of America’s Leadership and Service program, Tiyya will present Music of Persia, an evening of global musical curation led by Tana Yonas. .wav

Sounds from Afar is an intentional listening experience, a space for community members to gather, reflect, and connect through music from around the world. This edition will center Persian (Iranian) sound and storytelling, creating an intimate and meaningful cultural exchange.

Address:
Soka University
1 University Drive
Aliso Viejo, CA 92656
(Ikeda Library, Grand Reading Room, 4th Floor)

This event is Free. Please send an email to [email protected] by Thursday to rsvp.

Many thanks to our community partner, Farmers & Merchants Bank of Long Beach and Shervin Vadood, for sponsoring this event.
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Know Your Rights Cards are also available for pickup in Arabic, Spanish, Pashto, and Russian at our location in Hollywoo...
06/12/2025

Know Your Rights Cards are also available for pickup in Arabic, Spanish, Pashto, and Russian at our location in Hollywood. Link below for more languages! Thank you IRC !


・・・
All people in the United States, regardless of immigration status, have certain rights and protection under the US Constitution. 
 
Know Your Rights cards are available to everyone to save, download, and print for free in 39 different languages at 
https://tinyurl.com/KnowYourRightsRedCards.
 
Keep a card on you at all times to know and exercise your rights!

With World Refugee Day approaching, we’re reflecting on the mission behind Flavors from Afar & Tiyya. The recent ICE rai...
06/10/2025

With World Refugee Day approaching, we’re reflecting on the mission behind Flavors from Afar & Tiyya. The recent ICE raids here in LA and news about National Guard deployments have hit close to home - many of our team members and the families we serve are feeling the weight of this uncertainty. It’s a reminder of why our work matters more than ever.

This weekend marked a milestone for our restaurant - our founder Meymuna Hussein-Cattan had the honor of representing Flavors from Afar at , cooking for a community that’s supportive of our mission. It wasn’t just about showcasing her personal menu; it was about sharing the story behind every dish. Each recipe carries the journey of being born on a refugee camp in East Africa and navigating spaces like Orange County.

Moments like these remind us why we opened our doors - to create a space where refugee stories are celebrated, not feared. Food has this incredible way of breaking down barriers and uplifting the self determination of immigrants.

Thank you to everyone who continues to support Flavors from Afar & Tiyya. Your loyalty gives us strength during challenging times like these. We’ll be sharing more highlights from our time at the Ecology Center this week.

In partnership with Stanford University researchers, we’re honored to introduce the Azania Study, a community-centered r...
05/13/2025

In partnership with Stanford University researchers, we’re honored to introduce the Azania Study, a community-centered research project designed to understand better and uplift the unique experiences of African immigrant and refugee mothers in the U.S.

8 participants will receive payment of $120. Requirements if you are interested in joining us:

✨ Was born in Africa
✨ Identify as Black
✨ Live in California
✨ Gave birth in the U.S. in the past 5 years
✨ Are 18 or older

We invite you to share your story.
📩 DM
💻 [email protected]
📞 (650) 512-9747

Join us in shaping a future of informed care, belonging, and community healing.




A big thank you to the Los Angeles Business Journal for honoring our Founder & CEO, Meymuna Hussein-Cattan as a 2024 Lea...
09/25/2024

A big thank you to the Los Angeles Business Journal for honoring our Founder & CEO, Meymuna Hussein-Cattan as a 2024 Leader of Influence: Nonprofit & Philanthropy! This prestigious honor highlights exceptional nonprofit leaders across Los Angeles County who are driving meaningful change through their vision and commitment.

We’re so proud that Meymuna's leadership at both our foundation and our social enterprise, Flavors from Afar, has been recognized by Los Angeles' premier business publication. It's powerful testament of the impact, influence, and strong community connections we’re continuing to build in the county we proudly call home.

Congratulations to all of the honorees!

Read the digital edition here:https://labusinessjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/2024-LOI-NonProfit_opt.pdf

09/25/2024

Thank you all for cheering us on as we celebrated Meymuna Hussein-Cattan’s incredible recognition as a 2024 L'Oréal Paris Woman of Worth!

We’re excited to share that her powerful journey has been captured in a beautifully crafted short film. You can watch it on womenofworth.com, YouTube, or catch it streaming on (HBO) MAX during select commercial breaks.

Thank you for being part of this pivotal moment with us as we continue our commitment to supporting the refugee community in Southern California.

(YouTube Link: https://lnkd.in/g8rGyxxd)

WOW! Our Founder Meymuna Hussein-Cattan has been named a 2024 Woman of Worth! This prestigious award recognizes the ach...
09/04/2024

WOW! Our Founder Meymuna Hussein-Cattan has been named a 2024 Woman of Worth! This prestigious award recognizes the achievements of ten non-profit leaders making a profound difference in the lives of others by tackling some of our society’s most pressing issues.

Inspired by L'Oréal Paris' iconic tagline, "Because You're Worth It," the Women of Worth initiative celebrates women whose extraordinary efforts inspire and uplift their communities. Each year, the beauty brand selects honorees from across the nation, providing them with charitable grants, mentorship, and a national platform to amplify their missions. As part of this recognition, Meymuna will receive a $25,000 grant to further her transformative work.

Meymuna's recognition is a testament to her unwavering dedication and transformative work through Tiyya and Flavors from Afar. Her commitment to supporting refugees and displaced families in Southern California has never wavered, as she continually finds innovative ways to help them achieve self-sustainability in their new communities.

We are immensely proud of Meymuna and deeply grateful to L'Oréal Paris for shining a spotlight on refugee causes in Southern California.

A huge Congratulations to all of the 2024 honorees: Black Girl Environmentalist, Control Alt Delete, Every Day Action, Hope Pkgs, LiTEArary, Mammogram Poster Girls Inc., New Voters, Sisters in Sports Foundation, and Tonya Stafford

To learn more about Meymuna’s award, her fellow honorees, and the L’Oréal Paris Women of Worth program, please visit WomenofWorth.com.

Each month we foster relationships in the refugee community by hosting our Tea & Tots gathering. Our event is designed a...
06/04/2024

Each month we foster relationships in the refugee community by hosting our Tea & Tots gathering. Our event is designed as a space to address isolation and PTSD through communal engagement. Tea & Tots program has proven to help increase self esteem, feelings of belonging, and social integration for the families we serve. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Our gathering foster friendships and create a supportive network among participants, nurturing a sense of belonging and promoting inclusivity. Central to our mission is the emphasis on mental health, ensuring the holistic well-being of individuals and families by providing vital support during emotionally challenging times.

Tiyya not only addresses immediate needs but also cultivates a community of individuals who become invaluable volunteers and donors. Their dedication expands our mission and impact, ensuring sustained support for years to come.

To get involved, please contact our Family Services Specialist, Beatrice Kihagi, at [email protected]

Since 2010, Tiyya has served an average of 200 households each year with various programs to support resettlement. Howe...
05/30/2024

Since 2010, Tiyya has served an average of 200 households each year with various programs to support resettlement. However, during the pandemic we quickly learned that the services provided were not enough - neighborhood orientation, family mentoring, and youth services. Families needed more. We quickly pivoted to help establish sustainable lifestyles focused on housing and employment while strengthening communal ties for newcomers. ​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​In 2023, Tiyya had a total of 291 households registered in our programs - 26 individuals are unhoused. We’ve impacted a total of 648 children by providing families with: supply distributions (school & diaper), workshop attendance, referrals, housing support, job placement, catering, and asylum / migrant support.

Our Family Services Specialist, Beatrice Kihagi, reminds us often that it’s important to embrace both the strengths and beauty amongst the families we serve. Thank you Beatrice ensuring that we continue to provide quality and care each step of the way!

A huge thank you to our friend Olive Kimoto for creating the name “Sounds from Afar” for our upcoming ethnomusicology pr...
05/23/2024

A huge thank you to our friend Olive Kimoto for creating the name “Sounds from Afar” for our upcoming ethnomusicology programing. As a multimedia artist, Olive is building portals through sound, video, performance, and found objects, exploring both cultural and digital heritage. Her work has been shown by MOCA, Museum of Contemporary Art, Human Resources and Bozo Mag.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​She hosts and curates music for the monthly show Liquid Mirror on NTS Radio and can be found presenting unique music across town (and beyond).

For nearly a year, we've been quietly crafting our latest initiative, Sounds from Afar!​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Why focus on so...
05/17/2024

For nearly a year, we've been quietly crafting our latest initiative, Sounds from Afar!​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Why focus on sound? Ethnomusicology delves into the rich tapestry of music within its cultural milieu, exploring diverse musical traditions from around the globe. It goes beyond mere notes and melodies, delving into the intricate web of cultural, social, historical, and political contexts that shape musical expression. Ethnomusicologists study music as a profound form of human communication, examining its creation, performance, reception, and interpretation across different societies and cultures.

We're thrilled to bring this academic wealth into our community initiatives through our collaboration with Tana Yonas, also known as Passionfruit Way. Together, we're reframing the narrative of migration through the lens of musicology, enriched further by the fusion of culinary arts. This interdisciplinary approach serves as a potent means of fostering connectivity and cultural enrichment within our community.

Tana is a hands-on Creative Project Manager with a proven track record of steering brand strategy in pioneering industries. Drawing from a wealth of experience, Tana brings a deep understanding of the creative process and project management best practices, having lent her expertise to brands such as Apple, Meta, Google, and Slack.

The combination of music and food is truly harmonious, offering a multisensory experience that resonates deeply with audiences.

Address

505 N Tustin Avenue, Ste 280
Santa Ana, CA
92705

Telephone

+17145475050

Website

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