About the role#
ArchCity Defenders seeks a student for a Summer 2027 Social Services Practicum. You will work alongside a team of attorneys, social workers, and community organizers to provide holistic advocacy. This role focuses on addressing the causes and consequences of poverty and legal system involvement. You will support clients while helping demonstrate how communities can reimagine public safety through a racial and social justice lens.
What you'll do#
- Conduct intakes and bio-psycho-social assessments.
- Provide trauma-informed case management, including support for housing, public benefits, and transportation.
- Strategize with your field instructor, attorneys, and clients to set goals and case plans.
- Offer crisis intervention, psychoeducation, and empathetic support.
- Empower clients to identify barriers and solutions.
- Create and maintain a current client support resource list.
- Develop positive working relationships with community resources.
- Participate in mezzo- and macro-level social work projects.
- Maintain accurate records and documentation for agency requirements.
What you'll need#
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Experience researching resources and programs for clients.
- Ability to work independently and manage time effectively.
- Capacity for problem-solving and self-direction.
- Commitment to racial and economic justice.
- Cultural awareness regarding structures of power, privilege, and oppression.
- Knowledge of or interest in homelessness and the criminal legal system.
- Ability to maintain appropriate client boundaries.
Location & details#
- Location: St. Louis, Missouri. This is an on-site role at the office in North St. Louis City.
- Term: June 1, 2027, through July 30, 2027.
- Schedule: Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Friday, 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- Orientation: Mandatory in-person orientation from June 1 to June 4, 2027.
- Compensation: This is a paid position. Interns may receive a stipend of up to $4,200 if they cannot obtain funding from their school.
- Requirements: You may not engage in another internship simultaneously.
About ArchCity Defenders
ArchCity Defenders is a legal advocacy organization based in St. Louis, Missouri. Founded in 2009, the group provides civil and criminal legal representation alongside social services. It focuses on addressing the criminalization of poverty and state violence in communities of color. The organization employs a holistic model that integrates legal work with policy and media advocacy.
How to get in at ArchCity Defenders
Applying to ArchCity Defenders requires a clear understanding of their focus on civil rights and systemic advocacy. Because roles in public interest law are competitive, Intern Insider sends an instant alert the moment a position is published so you can apply among the first. Getting your application in early ensures your materials are reviewed before the volume of candidates grows too large. You can also use Intern Insider to surface the recruiters behind these roles to reach out directly. Asking a thoughtful question about the organization or requesting a referral often improves your response rate compared to submitting a cold application through a general queue.
