Right across from where I work is a gas station that is very convenient when I need to stop on the way home, but sadly, this is another hub where I frequently see homeless people. Gas stations in general can be very unsanitary, but this one in particular is pretty dirty in the inside. If I have to go in at any point, I usually try to go with a friend just so that I am not going in alone. In this picture, you can also see city scooters and bikes. 

This is the building where I work! It’s across from the gas station. I wanted to capture this photo because, although my building is not in the nicest area, we have a gate with reserved parking for our guests. To enter our building, we either need to present our badge or enter the security code. We also have a ramp as well as two accessible parking spots. Another thing I noticed is that in the same photo of the ramp, there are two chairs and a table, allowing anyone to eat their lunch outside while enjoying the beautiful weather.

There are several different photos of the female bathroom and dressing room here at Colorado Ballet. Most of the time when I walk into our dressing rooms, there is a disgusting sewage smell that encompasses the entire space. Sewage smells can indicate a backup in the sewer system, exposing us to harmful pathogens. This can absolutely affect the quality of living/working environment because it makes people sick, and even worse, contributes to asthma. Other than the sewage smell and the toilet paper on the ground (which I will not be using), our bathrooms are typically clean, considering how many dancers share this space. 

Walking from these parking spots can feel unsafe due to local crime and heavy traffic, including speeding. There have already been two serious incidents involving Colorado Ballet employees who were hit by vehicles while taking the same route that many of us must walk each day to get to work. Both incidents resulted in significant injuries and long recovery times.

According to the CHA, the City of Denver recognizes existing shortcomings in parking access and traffic safety and is working to create a safer, more efficient environment. Similarly, Colorado Ballet has expressed a long-term goal of expanding its parking lot so that all employees can park safely on site, decreasing risk and improving daily safety for staff and dancers.

https://www.denvergov.org/Government/Agencies-Departments-Offices/Agencies-Departments-Offices-Directory/Public-Health-Environment

After walking around my community, specifically where I work, I noticed something new! The Colorado Labor Law postings are above our two water fountains. The fact that they have these laws posted on the wall means that they are very transparent in complying with these standards. When considering the decisions around diversity, equity, and inclusion at the federal level, state, and/or local levels that affect your community, I think about this Colorado Labor Law posting located at the heart of our building. At the bottom right of the posting, it states explicitly that Colorado prohibits discrimination of any kind in employment, whether it be disability, race, creed, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, national origin or ancestry, marital status, or in some situations, marriage to a coworker. These DEI decisions shape who has access to jobs and who is represented in leadership positions, which in turn affect the economic health and social well-being of this community. I have to say that Colorado Ballet’s organization does an incredible job at elevating this community's standards. Colorado Ballet has provided over 500 people with access to exceptional ballet training and continues to support the overall health of the community.

I crossed out the kids in this picture, but I took this picture because I wanted to add an image that embodies why schools can help reduce social inequalities. Schools provide a structured environment where all children, no matter race, ethnicity, or background, can obtain education, resources, and opportunities. Schools also teach kids fundamental human rights and critical thinking, which can help them challenge social inequities and, in turn, create a fairer society.