Meymuna Hussein-Cattan is the Founder and CEO of Tiyya who established this organization with her mother, Owliya Dima, in 2010. Born in an Ethiopian refugee camp in Somalia, she’s passionately led the foundation for over thirteen years. In recognition of her incredible work, she’s been recognized with a number of leadership accolades including being honored as a Top 10 CNN Hero in 2022 and as a PBS Hero 2023.

Shukry Cattan is the Orange County Executive Director. He plays a vital role in overseeing Tiyya’s programming and community partnerships, ensuring the organization's growth and success.

Tiyya also plans to hire a dedicated Los Angeles Executive Director in the near future. Please stay tuned for updates.

A social enterprise operates like a business and aims to create positive social impact.

Tiyya’s social enterprise, Michelin Bib Gourmand awarded (in 2022 & 2023) Flavors from Afar, is a unique restaurant with a rotating global menu designed by refugee participants of our culinary program.

Temporarily closed - upcoming dedicated hours will be open to the public for dining, catered experiences, private event space rental, and will host our monthly Sounds from Afar program.

Forty percent of the restaurant’s revenue is reinvested into Tiyya’s mission and programming.

Outside of these public hours, the restaurant will be utilized for Tiyya’s culinary programming, providing participants with invaluable hands-on experience and exposure in the culinary arts.

We are unique because our agency was founded by former refugees and women of color who understand the complexities and nuances of adapting to American culture.

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For specific inquiries, please email info@tiyya.org, and we’ll gladly provide you with all the information needed on how you can make a meaningful impact through your support. We look forward to connecting!

When you donate to Tiyya, your generosity is utilized towards funding various programs and initiatives that support refugees, immigrants, and displaced families in need. As a nonprofit organization, Tiyya is sustained by donations like yours to help create a positive and lasting impact on the lives of those we serve.

With the support of our donors, here are some proud highlights from the impact we had in 2022:

• Served in 2022: 218 households, 774 individuals, 507 children

• Provided job placement for 49 participants who obtained a total of $1.6 million in combined annual wages

• 30 new Afghan families were resettled

• Provided services for 5 undocumented families seeking asylum from Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Palestine, and Syria

• Hired previous participants as the foundation's Housing Specialist and Soccer Coach

• Curated 10 park gatherings distributing boxes of diapers each month to new babies in the community (sizes 0 to 5)

2022 - On average, more than 85% of funding goes towards program expenses.

Absolutely! We work with the Orange County Community Foundation (OCCF), California Community Foundation (CCF), Fidelity and many more DAF agencies. It’s a very flexible way to contribute to our organization directly.

Yes! Please join our monthly or seasonal campaigns to support refugee youth in Orange County or Los Angeles. You can help by donating new diapers (sizes N to 5), backpacks and school supplies, toys, or gift cards to local home goods stores such as Target. Your support is greatly appreciated!

At this time we are not accepting food donations or used items.

Yes! We are more than happy to work alongside you and your place of employment to serve more refugee and immigrant families in our community. Any amount that you and your employer contribute is greatly appreciated.

Sounds from Afar is an immersive listening and vinyl music bar that will be hosted monthly at Tiyya x Flavors from Afar site in East Hollywood.

We've found that food and music have the remarkable ability to transcend barriers, bringing people together and creating a sense of unity, serving as powerful tools for discussing difficult topics like displacement and the refugee crisis.

Our curated experiences where music reflects the cuisine will immerse attendees in diverse cultural traditions while shedding light on the complexities of the refugee and immigrant experience, so often lost in translation.

Genres of music will be centered around Disco, House, Jazz, and Soul.