On Friday, August 29th, Restorative Nevada hosted our 2025 Summit at the Las Vegas Country Club, bringing together community leaders, educators, service providers, and advocates united in the mission of addressing youth violence through healing-centered solutions.
Our luncheon featured two remarkable keynote speakers, Tasreen Khamisa and Tony Hicks of the Tariq Khamisa Foundation (TKF). Their presence was both moving and transformative, as they shared the extraordinary story of TKF’s origins — born out of a father’s decision to choose forgiveness after the tragic loss of his son. Their message of healing, restoration, and accountability reminded us what is possible when communities come together to reject cycles of violence and build paths toward peace.
We were also honored to host a Local Panel, highlighting the work happening right here in Nevada. Pastor Troy Martinez, Founder of DADS in Schools, and Yanet Sanchez, Nevada Youth Parole Counselor, spoke to the ongoing efforts addressing youth violence, the importance of youth engaging in restorative work, and the meaningful collaboration between Nevada Youth Parole and Restorative Nevada. Their insights underscored the urgency of prevention and intervention strategies tailored to the realities our young people face in Southern Nevada.
The Summit shed light on urgent local realities: youth violence in Southern Nevada continues to rise, with gangs targeting children as young as 11. This crisis underscores the importance of early prevention, intervention, and restorative practices — the very work Restorative Nevada and our partners are committed to advancing.
We left inspired, connected, and motivated to strengthen restorative justice pathways for our youth, families, and schools. Thank you to all who joined us and continue to stand with us in building safer, more compassionate communities.
- 📺 Missed the event? We encourage you to watch TKF’s powerful TED Talk here: From Violence to Forgiveness.