WE ARE KIDS IN NEED OF DEFENSE

We are KIND

Kids in Need of Defense (KIND) is the preeminent U.S.-based nongovernmental organization devoted to the protection of unaccompanied and separated children. KIND envisions a world in which every unaccompanied child on the move has access to legal counsel and has their rights and well-being protected as they migrate alone in search of safety.

In 2008, KIND was founded by the Microsoft Corporation and UNHCR Special Envoy Angelina Jolie to address the gap in legal services for unaccompanied minors. KIND now has offices across the United States and in Mexico that provide unaccompanied children with holistic care that includes legal assistance and social services. Through strategic partnerships, we provide pro bono legal representation for refugee and migrant children across the country. Since its inception, KIND has received referrals for more than 30,000 cases and now serves over 5,000 children annually in partnership with over 755 law firm, corporate, law school and bar association partners.

In addition, through our comprehensive social services programming, KIND complements its legal efforts by bringing a truly holistic approach to protecting children after their arrival in the United States. We have connected thousands of children – and their caretakers – with essential medical care, mental health care, educational opportunities, and crisis intervention to ensure their safety and well-being.

Beyond U.S. borders, KIND’s Mexico-based offices and its programming in Central America works with partners on the ground to address the root causes of migration, protect children during migration, and connect repatriated children to essential services. Through its European Initiative, KIND and partners in Belgium, France, Greece, Ireland and the United Kingdom work to ensure access to high quality pro bono legal assistance for unaccompanied children in Europe.

Each of these efforts informs KIND’s robust state, national, and international advocacy and public education work to champion policies and laws that protect unaccompanied children on the move no matter where they are in their migration journey.

Our Mission & Vision

We envision a world in which children’s rights and well-being are protected as they migrate alone in search of safety.

We will achieve our vision by:
 

1. Ensuring that no child appears in immigration court without high quality legal representation;
2. Advancing laws, policies, and practices that ensure children’s protection and uphold their right to due process and fundamental fairness; and
3. Promoting in countries of origin, transit, and destination durable solutions to child migration that are grounded in the best interests of the child and ensure that no child is forced to involuntarily migrate.
    

KIND’s Guiding Principles

• We will remain disciplined and nimble and adjust our programming to ensure delivery on our core mission of access to justice and protection of children’s wellbeing and rights.
• We will develop and implement policies that promote an equitable and healthy workplace experience in which people feel valued and heard and can thrive in support of our core mission.
• We will prioritize wellness and deploy trauma-informed strategies throughout the organization.
• We commit to prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion, with an emphasis on people of color (both staff and clients), and continuing our journey on those issues.
• We will maintain our commitment to long-term financial success and strengthening systems and capacity to ensure effective delivery of KIND’s mission.

Join the KIND Team

Are You the Next KIND Team Member?
We are searching for dedicated individuals with a passion and commitment for uniting their talent and expertise with the growing needs of unaccompanied migrant children navigating the U.S. immigration system alone. KIND has an organization-wide commitment to holistic wellness, diversity, equity and inclusion. We strive to create a work environment where everyone has a sense of belonging. Individuals from historically underrepresented or underserved communities are strongly encouraged TO APPLY.

Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
At KIND, we envision a world in which children's rights and their well-being are protected, as they migrate alone in search of safety. We understand that staff experiences and identities are intertwined with how they approach, impact, and support children. We acknowledge that bias and privilege result in the marginalization of groups of people. We believe recognizing, evaluating, and challenging how systems adversely impact marginalized communities at KIND is the first step to a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive work environment.