Projects

PEERS 3rd Annual Black Tie Gala

November 12th 2011 from 6:30 PM – 11:00 PM

For more information visit: http://bit.ly/peersgala

San Diego Metropolitan Magazine
2011 San Diego’s Top Attorneys

Martin Waters

Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati
www.wsgr.com

PEERS 2nd Annual Black Tie Gala in Support of TKF Foundation

Saturday, November 13, 2010 from 6:00 PM – 10:30 PM (PT)

The TKF mission is to transform violence prone, at-risk youth into nonviolent achieving individuals and create safe and productive schools. Tariq Khamisa, age 20, was killed on January 21, 1995 by a 14-year-old gang member. His assailant, Tony Hicks, shot him on orders from an 18-year-old gang leader. After his son’s murder, Azim Khamisa didn’t demand revenge, instead he saw two children lost – one forever, and one to the state prison system.

“From the onset, I saw victims on both ends of the gun,” says Azim Khamisa, “I will mourn Tariq’s death for the rest of my life. Now, however, my grief has been transformed into a powerful commitment to change. Change is urgently needed in a society where children kill children,” he said. Azim established the Tariq Khamisa Foundation (TKF) in October 1995 to honor his son. He reached out to Ples Felix, Tony Hicks’ grandfather and guardian, who joined Azim in his dedication to end youth violence.

Please visit peersgala.eventbrite.com for tickets. Tickets are $100/person and you may also donate more than the ticket amount. All proceeds will go to the Tariq Khamisa Foundation. You will receive a confirmation email with your purchased ticket via Eventbrite. Thank you for supporting TKF!

Father Joes Village

The PEERS Networks spent a day at Father Joe’s village in downtown San Diego learning about the organization and meeting with the members and board. Father Joe’s mission is to help our neighbors in need. They provide a “Continuum of Care” that promotes a pathway to self-sufficiency and independence. The most amazing thing about Father Joe’s organization is the amazing size and complexity of the services they provide and the real estate they own. The PEERS goal is to help this organization in the different ways that we have influence. We found out during the visit that one of the first and most immediate needs were the need for clothing for people going on job interviews. Since the meeting we have collected over $10,000 worth of clothing that the village members can use when theygo on job interviews.!

Junior Achievement – Biz Town

The PEERS Netowork came together with Biztown to educate kids about business and working together as a team. The McGrath Family JA BizTown is a 10,000 square foot mini-city in which kids discover how free enterprise really works. There are 19 life-size businesses, a non-profit organization and a city hall. Every day, 150 new students become business owners, make financial decisions, explore philanthropy and pay taxes.

Teachers spend four weeks teaching the The McGrath Family JA BizTown curriculum. Students learn principles like economics, good citizenship, and money management. Each business offers the students the opportunity to work as CEO, CFO, or a business specific job. Students apply for the job that interests them. Once they are assigned to a job, students spend time with the other employees in their business to develop their business operating budget, apply for a bank loan, create advertising, and develop their marketing strategies.

After the curriculum has been taught, the students come to The McGrath Family JA BizTown and become “grown-ups” for one day to put into practice all of the principles they have been learning in the classroom. At The McGrath Family JA BizTown, the students are in charge!! Students work in a life-sized interactive city that is designed to reflect San Diego in the businesses, landscape, and architecture. In front of City Hall, the mayor gives a speech reminding the citizens of the laws of The McGrath Family JA BizTown, and encouraging everyone to exercise their civic duty by voting. Students check the business break schedule to know when they are allowed to leave work, visit the bank, and become a consumer in the city.

Annual Gala in Support of the Equinox Center

The PEERS Network came together with the Equinox Center to raise money to ensure a healthy environment, vibrant communities and strong economy for the San Diego Region, Equinox Center researches and advances innovative solutions to balance regional growth with our finite natural resources. The black tie event was held at the historic La Valencia hotel in La Jolla, CA. Over 200 people came together with AARON CONTORER, the founder of the Equinox Center, to try to make a difference together.