Testimonials by VIF Students & Influential Adults
VIF
is unique and powerful with results showing significant shifts in students
attitudes and beliefs regarding revenge and choice-making. 
The pre- and post-VIF student questionnaires demonstrate a remarkable reduction in destructive attitudes that lead to gangs, revenge, and violence.
Statistics aren’t the only proof that TKF’s powerful violence prevention education program works. You just need to witness the long lines of children waiting to get a hug from Azim Khamisa and Ples Felix and the other panelists after a VIF assembly. TKF has also received thousands of letters from children telling us about the huge impact that TKF has made in their lives. We are delighted to share some of our favorite heartfelt letters with you!
STUDENT LETTERS"Words From the Heart"
"Dear Mr. Khamisa: I was present at the school assembly when you and Mr. Felix showed us many things. I am sorry for what happened to your son, Tariq. I’m glad that you had chosen to forgive because now, you have taught me that we can forgive others who have mistreated us. I know that you haven’t just changed my way of looking at things like this, but many other minds. You’re someone that all of us can look up to." – E. S. 7th grader
"Your presentation that you showed at our school will affect the choices I make in life for years to come… P.S. I carry your autograph with me in case I come across difficult choices." -- Melissa
(To Tariq) "Your story touched my heart….I hope your spirit lives on in heaven. Going to the assembly and planting the flower showed me how much people loved you. It also showed me how horrible violence is. God bless you."
"Dear Tony, You have blessed my soul by making a mistake because now I have learned from your mistake. I really love you with all my heart because you have just made me a non violent person. Please write me back because I want you to know you have just changed my heart." Sincerely, Brandon
"It is very sad what happened to Tony and Tariq but anyone who witnesses that touching but sad story will want to turn their life around and become a better person. TKF is very great!" – Edward, age 11, 7th grader
"I believe the Tariq Khamisa Foundation is excellent because it helps kids make right choices. It made me think about the choices I’ve made, both good and bad. I don’t want to end up in jail for drugs or violence. It also helped me to be kinder to people. If Tariq’s father can be kind and forgive Tony for taking his son’s life, then I can stop picking on other kids." – Alan, age 14, 8th grade
"I am in the TKF "Circle of Peace." Our major goal is to spread peace around our school and to other students. We also help TKF with some of their projects and give them our point of view. I enjoy being in this group because I think we can really do something about the violence in kids today." - Sasha Boubion, 8th grader, Farb Middle School
"The VIF (Violence Impact Forum Assembly) is sad but it teaches you not to be violent, to make good choices." - VIF student
"I'm glad that you've chosen to forgive because now you have taught me that we can forgive others who have mistreated us." - VIF Student
"Thank you for coming and reminding me of peer pressure and gangs. I thought I might have to get in one but I think now I don’t have to. There are lots of people I can turn to for help now but didn’t know before. Talking about it helped me a lot. I feel I am going to stay out of a gang. I’m not going down that road." - VIF Student
"The assembly reminded us to never use revenge even if you want it." - VIF Student
"Dear Tony, You have blessed my soul by making a mistake because now I have learned from your mistake." - VIF Student
"If Tariq¹s father can be kind and forgive Tony for taking his son¹s life, then I can stop picking on other kids." - VIF Student
What Adults Say about TKF’s Violence Prevention Programs
"I think the work that this Foundation does . . . will be one of the most significant things that has taken place in stopping youth violence that I’ve ever seen." - San Diego County Sheriff Bill Kolender (former head of the California Youth Authority)
"I thank you for bringing this program to San Diego County and allowing our children to partake in something that I know will change their lives." - Rudy Castruita, Superintendent, San Diego County Schools
"We in the education field are struggling to find ways to break the cycle of escalating violence among our youth. Children of today are faced with difficult life choices at younger and younger ages. The Foundation’s powerful, compassionate, and timely message can and will help our children make the right choices." – Tony Ricchiuti, Assistant Principal, Rincon Middle School, Escondido, CA
"We know violence is an epidemic in our community . . . . The way we inoculate our community against the ravages of violence is through what the Tariq Khamisa Foundation is doing with these young people." - Dr. Robert Ross, CEO of The California Endowment (former San Diego County Director of Health & Human Services in March 2000 when this statement was made).
"Most of my kids do not live in homes or worlds where they have been taught forgiveness as an option." – VIF School Counselor
TKF’s VIF gives a powerful message to students that there are adults and organizations that care about young people. "The message that kept coming through to me through every presentation is, ‘We love you.’ To me that is powerful." – VIF School Counselor