OUR STORY
About Us
Born from a deeply personal understanding of displacement, resilience, and service.
OUR MISSION
Gift to Dream exists to strengthen safety, agency, dignity, education, and future career pathways for girls and young women through interventions that engage schools, communities, local governments, and future allies.
WHO WE ARE
This organization was born from a deeply personal understanding of displacement, resilience, and service.
Founding Story
As the daughter of immigrant parents from Eritrea, founder Hiyab Tadesse was raised with stories of survival, sacrifice, faith, education, and responsibility to community. Those values became the foundation of Gift to Dream.Hiyab Tadesse brings over a decade of social impact, civic engagement, and youth-centered program leadership to this work. Those experiences shaped the values behind this organization and led her to give her personal income to launch the pilot in December 2025.This founder-led commitment demonstrates conviction, proof of concept, and a willingness to invest personally before asking others to invest.Founder Recognition
Gucci Chime for Change Awardee
Recognized for contributions to global dialogue on social cohesion, civic accountability, and institutional responsibility during societal crises.
California Endowment Center
Documentary storytelling on the long-term impact of displacement, gender-based violence, and immigration.
George Washington University
Speaker & panelist at Girls Govern Town Hall — focused on women's rights and civic engagement.
Program Director, GlobalGirl Media USA
Directed an 8-week civic engagement initiative enabling LAUSD students to interview elected officials and policymakers.
OUR VISION
Our long-term objective is to contribute to measurable improvements across four interconnected pillars. By bridging grassroots realities with policy-informed action, Gift to Dream aims to align local impact with global conversations around gender equity, youth opportunity, and sustainable development.
A Future Where Every Girl Thrives
Educational Retention
Keeping adolescent girls in school and learning.
Early Intervention
Strengthening reporting mechanisms and protective response.
Community Accountability
Building frameworks that protect dignity and safety.
Economic Participation
Opening pathways for young women to thrive.
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The only return was impact and the gift to serve.
— HIYAB TADESSE, FOUNDER