Azim Khamisa's Nonprofit Initiatives
The Tariq Khamisa Foundation (TKF)
In 1995, tragedy struck as Tariq Khamisa, a young 20-year-old college student, lost his life to Tony Hicks, a 14-year-old gang member. As Tony became California’s first under-16 to face adult conviction, Azim Khamisa, grieving his son, chose the path of understanding and healing. Recognizing “victims on both ends of the gun”, Azim partnered with Tony’s grandfather, Ples Felix, and thus, TKF was born.
TKF's Mission
Dedicated to curbing youth violence, TKF emphasizes:
- Education Programs: Steering youth towards forgiveness and kindness.
- Mentorship Programs: Providing constructive environments with positive role models.
- Community Service Programs: Encouraging youths to give back through activities like park clean-ups, food bank support, and more.
TKF in the News
- NPR: She Found ‘Layers To Forgiveness,’ In Befriending The Man Who Killed Her Brother
- The San Diego Union Tribune: Newly free from prison, a man who killed at age 14 atones for his past and looks to his future
- The Washington Post: A victim’s father, the killer’s grandfather and a shared mission to protect youths from violence
CANEI: Constant and Never Ending Improvement
Co-founded by Azim Khamisa, CANEI has made its mark in eight US cities. Its outstanding achievement? Successfully redirecting 70% of youth offenders, contrasting the higher 80% recidivism rates in State systems.
What Makes CANEI Unique?
- Cost effective, requiring just 10% of the incarceration cost
- Comprehensive, 26 weeks long, strength-based, in-home
- Multi-faceted with strategies like Living Skills Training and Service Learning Project
CANEI is an opportunity for youth to rediscover themselves, to nurture compassion, and to blend harmoniously within their communities.
From the onset, I recognized victims on both ends of the gun. While Tariq's loss will forever weigh on my heart, it fuels my commitment to societal change.
– Azim Khamisa
Azim's work has earned him over 80 prestigious awards, including the National Crime Victims Special Community Service Award from President Clinton and Attorney General Janet Reno.
Services
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