Hello! I’m a current Master of Social Work student at Augsburg University. This year, I’m doing my internship at Daily Work. One part of my role involves following the Minnesota legislative session and tracking bills and policies that impact Daily Work and the community we serve.
For us—especially us interns—our advocacy begins with learning and awareness. Being able to engage in job seekers’ day-to-day lives helps us become strong advocates for what they need to be successful and overcome barriers. We want to stay informed about what’s happening at the city, county, and state levels so that when job seekers bring up particular issues—or when we learn about new resources—we can advocate for their needs on a broader scale.
Daily Work provides a broad range of support, so we’ve primarily focused our learning and advocacy in three key areas that have come up most often for job seekers in recent months:
Immigrant Rights – Our immigrant neighbors deserve to feel safe, valued, and supported. Immigrants play a vital role in our communities, contributing to the economy, culture, and social fabric in countless ways. However, too many immigrants face discrimination, fear of deportation, and barriers to accessing basic services.
Employment – Access to fair, stable employment is essential for individuals and families to thrive. But many workers—especially those in low-wage, immigrant, and marginalized communities—face exploitation, poor working conditions, and wages that don’t reflect the cost of living.
Healthcare – Healthcare is a fundamental human right, yet too many people in our community lack access to the care they need due to cost, discrimination, or lack of insurance. Health disparities, particularly among marginalized communities, have only grown during the pandemic, making this an urgent issue.
I look forward to continuing conversations with my fellow interns, staff at Daily Work, and YOU! about how we can expand our education outside the classroom. Share your ideas with me at Lindsay.Pluger@daily-work.org or comment on this blog.
In the picture is The Daily Work crew at the Minnesota Social Services Association Day at the Capitol on February 11, 2025, learning and advocating alongside Representative Samakab Hussein—who represents District 65A, home to Daily Work!
From left to right: Meghan Hildebrand (Daily Work Case Manager), Stacy (SW Intern), Julie Hoff (Executive Director), Kendall (SW Intern), Lindsay (Macro SW Intern), Representative Samakab Hussein (65A), Maria Carlson (Office & Engagement Coordinator), Kristen Perron (Program Director), a fellow representative from another social services agency, and Maria (SW Intern). Learn more about us on here.
