On Tuesday, April 8, seventy employees across MDI’s Hibbing, Grand Rapids, Cohasset, and Minneapolis, and Roseville locations came together for our annual day of civic engagement at the Minnesota State Capitol.
Over 70 Minnesota Diversified Industries employees on the steps of MN State Capital
MDI encourages and demonstrates advocacy – the process of engaging with elected officials and government agencies to support a specific action. The day helps amplify the innovative, high-quality work happening at our organization by demonstrating its direct impact on MDI employees, who can share their firsthand experiences with their local legislators.
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- Eric Black speaks to MDI employees
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- Ellen Larson speaks with MDI Employees
This year’s gathering kicked off with welcome remarks from MDI President/CEO Eric Black, who highlighted the importance of advocacy. Eric was followed by Ellen Larson from Goff Public, who represents MDI at the Capitol and shared information about the two legislative funding requests MDI is making this year. MDI is requesting $450,000 to continue to provide critical support to MDI employees with disabilities and a one-time grant of $250,000 to further develop Unified Work training opportunities and technology.
After the kick-off gathering, attendees participated in a legislative open house that included MDI’s Unified Work science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) boxes and interactive virtual reality (VR) headsets offering a variety of vr work experiences. These innovative tools were available for MDI employees and advocates to experience, along with visiting legislators.
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- Getting ready to show some virtual reality headsets
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- Trying some new Virtual Reality training headsets
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- Trying some new Virtual Reality training headsets
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- Trying some new Virtual Reality training headsets
Several lawmakers stopped by to meet MDI employees and talk about the importance of employment opportunities for people with disabilities, including Representative Sydney Jordan (DFL-Minneapolis), Representative Spencer Igo (R-Wabana Township), Representative Dave Pinto (DFL-Saint Paul), Representative Cedrick Frazier (DFL-New Hope), Senator Aric Putnam (DFL-St. Cloud), Senator John Hoffman (DFL-Champlin).
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- Representative Sydney Jordan speaks with Minnesota Diversified Industries employees
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- Representative Dave Pinto and MDI Employee Kristie Armbruster
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- Representative Spencer Igo speaks with MDI employees
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- Representative Spencer Igo and Eric Black stand with MDI Employees
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- Representative Dave Pinto speaks with MDI Employees
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- Senator Aric Putnam speaks with MDI employees at Minnesota State Capital
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- Representative Spencer Igo speaks with MDI employees
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- Eric Black stands with MDI employee at MN State Capital
After the legislative open house, advocates concluded their day with lunch and a guided tour of the beautiful Minnesota State Capitol.
