Our Story
Born from community.
Built for dignity.
Riyo Foundation
How We Started
Everyone deserves the opportunity to succeed.
Riyo Foundation was founded on a simple belief: everyone deserves the opportunity to succeed, regardless of their background or circumstances.
As an immigrant, mother, public health graduate, and nursing student, our founder experienced firsthand the challenges that many families face when navigating education, healthcare, employment, and community resources. Through these experiences, she saw how access to mentorship, education, healthcare, and community support can transform lives and create opportunities for success.
Inspired by a passion for service and a commitment to health equity, she established Riyo Foundation to support youth and families in reaching their full potential. The foundation provides students with mentorship, career exploration, educational guidance, and leadership development while helping mothers access resources, health education, and support services that promote family well-being.
Riyo Foundation is dedicated to empowering youth, strengthening families, and building healthier communities through education, mentorship, public health, and community engagement. We believe that when individuals are supported, informed, and connected, they can thrive and create lasting positive change for future generations.
See Our ProgramsWhat We Believe
Our Values
Dignity First
Every woman we serve is a whole person — not a case number, not a statistic. We design every interaction around respect, warmth, and the belief that dignity is non-negotiable.
Community-Led
Our programs are co-created with the mothers and youth we serve. We listen before we act, and we trust that the people closest to a problem hold the most powerful solutions.
Safety & Trust
We create spaces where women and young people feel safe to be honest about their needs — free from judgment, fear, or bureaucracy.
Cultural Humility
We celebrate the richness of the cultures represented in our community. Our team reflects the diversity of the people we serve, and we approach every interaction with curiosity and respect.
Lasting Impact
We measure success not in outputs but in outcomes — mothers who feel empowered, youth who have a path forward, and families who are thriving long after they leave our programs.
What's Happening
News & Updates
Stay up to date with the latest from Riyo Foundation.
Riyo Foundation Officially Launches
We are excited to announce the official launch of Riyo Foundation — a nonprofit dedicated to empowering refugee and immigrant mothers and youth through mentorship, public health, and community support.
Youth Success Initiative Kicks Off
Our Riyo Youth Success Initiative is now open for enrollment. Students can sign up for 1:1 Pathway Coaching, College & Career Readiness, and our Leadership Academy programs.
Family Case Management Program Opening
We are preparing to launch our Family Case Management Program to provide one-on-one support for mothers navigating healthcare, education, employment, and housing resources.
Volunteer & Mentor Recruitment Open
We are actively recruiting volunteers, mentors, and community partners. If you are a professional who wants to give back, we would love to connect with you.
The People
Our Team Members
Our team reflects the communities we serve — dedicated to empowering every family we work with.
Leila Nasser
Leila brings 12 years of experience in maternal health and immigrant services. She oversees all five Riyo programs and leads our community co-design process.
Marcus Chen
Marcus grew up as the child of Vietnamese refugees and has dedicated his career to building mentorship pathways for first- and second-generation youth.
Fatuma Osman
Fatuma is a former program participant who joined the Riyo team in 2021. She is the bridge between our staff and the communities we serve.
Be part of the story.
Whether you donate, volunteer, or simply spread the word — you help us write the next chapter.