Our Story

Rooted in the Streets.
Powered by Love.

For over 30 years, the Stop the Violence Increase the Peace Foundation has been at the forefront of community-driven peace building in Southern California.

1993
Our Mission

Promoting Awareness. Empowering Communities. Building Peace.

The Stop the Violence, Increase the Peace Foundation was founded in 1993 by Khalid Shah with a singular vision: to address the root causes of violence in Southern California's most impacted communities.

Our mission is to promote awareness, empowerment, and accountability around the impacts of violence and trauma — offering a path forward for individuals, families, and entire neighborhoods.

We believe that lasting change begins at the community level, driven by people who understand the realities of the streets and are committed to building something better.

Our Vision

A Southern California Free from Violence.

We envision communities where every child grows up safe, every family is supported, and every neighborhood has the tools and resources needed to thrive.

Through intervention, education, advocacy, and partnership, we are creating the infrastructure for generational peace — one person, one family, one block at a time.

See Our Programs →
Our History

30+ Years of Impact

1993
Foundation Established
Khalid Shah founded Stop the Violence Increase the Peace Foundation in the wake of community trauma, driven by a personal commitment to turn pain into purpose.
1997
First Youth Intervention Programs Launched
Expanded beyond outreach to formal mentorship and intervention programming serving hundreds of at-risk youth annually.
2003
Conflict Resolution & Court-Ordered Services
Partnered with the Los Angeles court system to offer certified anger management, domestic violence, and conflict resolution training.
2012
Reaching 10,000+ Lives
Milestone year — surpassed 10,000 community members served through outreach, education, and direct intervention.
2020
Pandemic Community Response
Pivoted to virtual programming and food distribution to support communities during COVID-19, maintaining services for those who needed them most.
2025
32,300+ Lives and Growing
Today, STV continues to expand its reach, partnerships, and programming — with a renewed commitment to building peace across Southern California.
What We Stand For

Our Core Values

01
Community First
Every decision, program, and partnership is guided by the needs and voices of the communities we serve.
02
Accountability
We hold ourselves — and each other — to the highest standards of integrity, transparency, and responsibility.
03
Empowerment
We believe every person has the capacity for change. Our work is to unlock that potential and build on it.
04
Love in Action
Peace is not just the absence of violence — it's the active presence of love, connection, and mutual care.
Meet the Team

Our Leadership

Photo: Khalid Shah
Founder
Khalid Shah
Founder & Chairman Emeritus

Khalid Shah has dedicated over 30 years to transforming communities through peace-building, mentorship, and advocacy. A visionary leader whose personal experience with community violence became the foundation for the organization.

Leadership Photo
Executive
Rey Liggins
Executive Director

With deep roots in Southern California, Rey leads STV's day-to-day operations and strategic direction, ensuring the organization's programs meet the evolving needs of the community.

Leadership Photo
Programs
Program Leadership
Director of Programs

Overseeing STV's portfolio of intervention, counseling, and education programs, our programs director ensures quality outcomes for every participant we serve.