Kids in Konflict
Who We Are
Kids In Konflict (KIK) is a California-based nonprofit organization dedicated to improving outcomes for youth, families, and communities through prevention, intervention, rehabilitation, and workforce development. We serve children, adolescents, and young adults impacted by behavioral health challenges, educational disparities, violence exposure, foster care involvement, justice-system involvement, and other social and environmental factors that place them at risk for poor life outcomes.
At the heart of our mission is a belief in every young person’s potential and a commitment to equipping them with the skills, confidence, and support needed to build healthy, self-determined lives. Through trauma-responsive, evidence-informed, and community-centered approaches, we help youth strengthen resilience, overcome barriers, and achieve positive outcomes in education, health, employment, and community life.
Through strategic partnerships with schools, behavioral health providers, community organizations, public agencies, and justice-system stakeholders, KIK delivers comprehensive services that promote healing, personal growth, family stability, civic engagement, and long-term success.
Our Founders
Kids In Konflict was founded by Lonnie “Ron” Gardner and Lynette Jones, two respected leaders with more than five decades of combined experience in juvenile justice, foster care, behavioral health, workforce development, and youth development. Their shared vision established an organization rooted in compassion, accountability, and opportunity, with an unwavering commitment to helping vulnerable youth and families overcome adversity and achieve lasting positive change.
Our Approach
KIK delivers a comprehensive continuum of care that addresses the social, emotional, educational, behavioral, and environmental factors that influence youth development and well-being. Through prevention, intervention, rehabilitation, and workforce development, we provide coordinated services that strengthen protective factors, reduce risk factors, promote healing, and create pathways to lifelong success.
Our work is organized through three interconnected pillars:
Project RISE: Healthy Youth, Healthy Communities
Project RISE is KIK’s prevention and early intervention initiative focused on improving educational, behavioral health, and social outcomes for youth living in underserved communities.
Project REHABILITATE
Project REHABILITATE is KIK’s juvenile justice intervention and reentry initiative designed to support justice-involved youth and their families.
KIK Training Institute
The KIK Training Institute expands our impact by providing research-informed training, workforce development, and capacity-building opportunities for professionals, organizations, peer support specialists, caregivers, and community stakeholders.
Our Commitment
Kids In Konflict is committed to creating healthy youth, strong families, and resilient communities. By expanding access to supportive services, educational opportunities, behavioral health resources, and pathways for personal growth, we empower individuals and families to overcome adversity, build resilience, and achieve lasting success. Together, we are creating safer communities, advancing equity and opportunity, and transforming lives for future generations
