Violence Impact Forum (VIF)
"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
What is it?
TKF's Violence Impact Forum (VIF) is a unique and powerful school-based
violence prevention education program for students in the 4th -9th grades.
The VIF assembly includes a high-impact video with powerful speakers and
lively student audience participation. The program focuses on the personal story of Tariq Khamisa and Tony Hicks and the lifelong consequences of one deadly choice.
VIF panelists include Azim Khamisa, Ples Felix, plus former
male and female gang members who share the stark reality of gangs and prison
life. Students learn a powerful lesson about the destructive impact of gangs
and violence and the importance of making peaceful, positive choices. 
Students
also witness "forgiveness in action" by seeing Azim and Ples sitting
together on stage. This is often the first time that many children have
been shown that there are alternatives to revenge and retaliation.
"If Tariq¹s father can be kind and forgive Tony for taking his son¹s life, then I can stop picking on other kids." - VIF Student
Six Key Messages
- Violence is real and hurts everyone.
- Actions have consequences.
- You can make good and nonviolent choices.
- You can work towards forgiveness as opposed to seeking revenge.
- Everyone, including you, deserves to be loved and treated well.
- From Conflict, love and unity are possible.
Garden of Life
The Garden of Life Memorial Ceremony is usually done at Elementary Schools following the VIFassembly.
The Garden of Life memorial ceremony invites youth to join us in planting a tree that will grow in memory of Tariq and other young people who have lost their lives to violence. Each student plants a plant in honor of someone they love (or have lost). The garden acts as a lasting reminder of hope and healing for students.