What’s happening in our communities right now is wrong, illegal, cruel, and un-American.
The fear is palpable at Daily Work, both for job seekers and our staff. Our doors are always locked. Many job seekers are opting to meet by phone or video chat. We’re seeing fewer walk-ins, more cancelled appointments, and far more time spent addressing immediate needs as people pause job searches or going to work to simply stay safe.
At the same time, it’s inspiring, motivating, and heartening to witness the outpouring of care from our community. People are calling to bring groceries, provide practical support, share resources, and show up however they can.
And the courage and strength of our broader community is nothing short of awe-inspiring. Last week, 50,000 people took to the streets in downtown Minneapolis, even in 10-below weather! I knew Minnesotans would show up, but it was bigger than I ever imagined. I have never been so proud to be a Minnesotan.
I’m also moved by the quiet, personal courage of immigrants and People of Color who choose to keep living their lives as fully and normally as possible, by going to work or to get groceries, even though they face a real threat because of the color of their skin. One person reflected that, in moments like this, we each must decide what is right for us. They thought about Rosa Parks, not as a comparison, but as a reminder that everyday choices can ripple for decades.
In that spirit, I urge you to keep finding ways to show up. Call your elected officials and demand action, volunteer to drive groceries, join a protest, be an observer, make a donation, do what you can. Minnesota is again at the epicenter of history-making, and the stakes are higher than ever.
In 1968, the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said “the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice.”
Fifty-eight years later, the arc still bends, but it is bending too slowly. The setbacks over the past few years are a strong reminder that justice requires action. Patience alone is not enough.
This moment must not pass until our leaders truly uphold the core ideal of the Declaration of Independence: that every person in our country has a right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. These words are not abstract. They speak to safety, freedom, and the opportunity to build a stable future. We cannot rest until our leaders protect those rights for every person and create immigration policies that align with the needs of our economy and the human forces shaping migration in our time.
Julie Hoff has dedicated more than 20 years to strengthening nonprofit organizations that enhance quality of life in our communities. Since 2012, she has led Daily Work, advancing its mission to support job seekers in finding quality work and building the lives they desire. A lifelong Minnesotan, Julie is known for her relationship-centered leadership and her commitment to doing what’s needed... often in creative and unexpected ways... to fulfill Daily Work’s mission.
