Meymuna Hussein-Cattan, The Tiyya Foundation

2022 TOP 10 CNN HERO

Millions of refugees fled Afghanistan and Ukraine during the last year, and this week’s CNN Hero has dedicated her life to making sure that those who arrive in her community get the resources they need to thrive. Born in a refugee camp to parents who had fled Ethiopia, Meymuna Hussein-Cattan resettled with her family in Orange County, California, when she was a young girl. In 2010, she and her mother created the Tiyya Foundation, a nonprofit that’s provided free programming and support to thousands of refugees, immigrants and asylum seekers. Recently, Hussein-Cattan expanded her work with Flavors From Afar, a restaurant that features new dishes every month developed by a refugee or immigrant chef. This partnership celebrates each chef’s creativity and culture, provides them with income and helps fund the Tiyya Foundation’s work.

Video: CNN Hero Meymuna Hussein-Cattan

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