I have volunteered with the Tariq Khamisa Foundation ("TKF") going on 19 years now, currently as Board Secretary.
On January 21, 1995, 20 year old Tariq Khamisa was killed by a 14 year old gang member named Tony Hicks - over a pizza. Three weeks prior to the murder, California's law allowing minors to be prosecuted as adults had gone into effect. Tony pleaded guilty and asked for forgiveness from Tariq's father Azim. Tony was sentenced as an adult, to 25 years to life in prison. Fortunately, Azim did forgive Tony. Azim introduced himself to Tony's grandfather/guardian, Ples Felix, and asked Ples to work with him to end youth violence. Ples was quick to take Azim's outstretched hand, and they have been working side by side in schools ever since. Azim met Tony in 2005 and writes to him monthly.
TKF has worked for over 20 years, mostly in middle schools, to help students learn through forgiveness. Its four programs are highly successful, especially for the most at-risk students, in teaching resiliency, compassion, empathy, problem-solving, and other restorative practices. We start with the Violence Impact Assembly, where the far-reaching impacts of violence hit home when Azim and Ples take the stage, hug each other tightly, and the students are told, "This man's grandson killed this man's son, and they are here today in the spirit of forgiveness." They tell how Tariq's murder changed their and their families' lives forever. They speak of the power of forgiveness instead of revenge, which many students have never considered. Next comes specially developed class curriculum to teach youth how to succeed, resolve problems, and stay out of gangs. We include an after school Circle of Peace to develop leadership skills, and importantly, one on one mentoring for the most at risk youth. TKF's programs are extremely successful, reducing suspensions among mentored students by 67%.
Meeting Tariq Khamisa's father Azim in 1998 set me on a path that changed my life. Azim welcomed me into his world of saving children's lives, and I was hooked. It really hit home that TKF is needed in every school when my own son, as a 6th grader, was tempted to go down the wrong path while seeking acceptance by his peers. Because of TKF's influence, he was able to right himself. I realized that it doesn't matter what neighborhood you live in or how "good" the school is - the reasons kids join gangs are universal - my son wanted "to look cool and be accepted."
I visit Tony in prison and have found him to be a humble, intelligent, and sensitive man. Tariq's sister Tasreen, TKF's Executive Director, has also met and forgiven Tony. His parole hearing is October 2018. Azim has offered Tony a job with the foundation, and Tony has accepted. Just think of the kids Tony will save!
Below are links to 2 videos that I hope you will watch:
End the Cycle of Violence, 2:13: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E6S9rACADd8
Azim on NBC News, 2:43: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCNojZaSNbM
TKF is so dear to my heart! Thank you for reading my review. Please visit our website, www.tkf.org, and SPREAD THE WORD about this fantastic foundation!