Summer Partnerships & Organizing Internship​/Practicum

Position: Summer 2026 Partnerships & Organizing Internship/Practicum
Arch City Defenders (ACD) is a holistic legal advocacy organization that combats the criminalization of poverty and state violence, especially in communities of color. ACD's foundation of civil and criminal legal representation, social services, impact litigation, policy and media advocacy, and community collaboration achieves and inspires justice and equitable outcomes for people throughout the St. Louis region and beyond.

Arch City Defenders envisions a society liberated from systems of oppression where the promise of justice and racial equity is realized; communities where our approach to public safety prioritizes investment in well-being, health, and transformation without relying on criminalization and incarceration; and people living freely in their communities, thriving regardless of their race or income.

Arch City Defenders is working on broad-based change to the St. Louis region's criminal legal system. One way we advance this agenda is through the use of impact litigation. To effectively argue civil rights impact cases, it is necessary to have extensive knowledge of legal precedents, state and federal statutes, and county and municipal ordinances.

Although impact litigation has become one effective tool for change, Arch City Defenders remains dedicated to representing our clients and changing the lives of our clients on an individual basis. To this end, we provide direct representation in housing, consumer, family, criminal, municipal, and other areas of the law.

ACD's Partnerships & Organizing Team (formerly Community Collaborations) assists people directly impacted by systems of oppression to get civically engaged through political education and organizing and seeks an intern or practicum student with an enthusiastic desire to assist and serve others. A successful intern or practicum student needs to be assertive, independent, persistent, empathetic, proactive, and flexible. They will need to take initiative, use problem-solving skills, see projects through to completion, and become a strong advocate for themselves and others.

Helpful skill sets would be prior organizing experience, graphic design, and/or administration skills.

Please note that this internship/practicum may require hours that include nights and/or weekends.

Responsibilities:

• Conduct one-on-one interviews with impacted people
• Assist in coordinating one-on-one meetings with elected officials
• Participate in or facilitate political education training
• Assist with planning and content and/or the facilitation of Movement meetings, Townhalls, or other group meetings
• Assisting with planning and content of Campaign/Movement Member Kickbacks
• Participate in, plan, and/or facilitate community canvassing
• Participate in, plan, and/or facilitate community outreach events
• Engage in phone and text banking
• Planning/Facilitation of prep meetings for those testifying at BOA committee meetings
• Attending Board of E&A and Board of Aldermen meetings, note-taking, and report-backs
• Attend strategy and organizing meetings as assigned
• Support the mission of ACD and work with staff to support that mission through social work services
• Any other duties as assigned to help the team do its best work

Qualifications:

• Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills
• Basic administrative skills
• Detail-oriented approach to working in a team-driven organization
• High capacity for problem solving and self-direction and the ability to work independently within time constraints
• Flexible and able to respond appropriately to ACD's changing needs
• Commitment to racial and economic justice and systems change
• Cultural awareness and sensitivity toward diverse populations; awareness of structures of power, privilege, and oppression

The Summer 2026 internship & Practicum cohort will work alongside ACD staff members in our new headquarters at the Northside Movement Center in St. Louis. It is an exciting time to join our team. The interns will have opportunities to interact with community partners, clients, and the community, to attend legal and organizing skill training sessions, to participate in community events, have small group learning opportunities, and more.

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