Welcoming Statement

Hey there. My name is Hailey, but you may know me as the girl they keep putting on camera for our marketing videos. However, right now I’m the girl writing this blog post.

As today’s blogger, I’d love to share with you some of the cool things happening at the Depot.

Our crew has been hard at work developing a welcoming statement for the building which discusses our goals for diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion. After many hours of effort and seeking guidance from many wonderful resources shared by cultural organizations across the country, I am happy to present that statement to you.

The St. Louis County Depot is committed to being an accessible organization that celebrates and welcomes visitors of all backgrounds. We strive to provide programming that encourages lifelong learning and fosters engagement amongst people of any socioeconomic status, race, gender, sexual orientation, ability, age, and identity.

Education is a core value for organizations housed in the Depot, and we understand the importance of fostering an environment where all people are valued and respected as they explore the cultures, arts, and heritage of our region. We are committed to reaching underserved people through sustainable, inclusive programming. 

It is our desire to create an environment in which equity, inclusion, and collaboration are at the forefront of all we do. The Depot strives to be an asset to our community by reflecting a rich diversity of perspectives and celebrating the people who call St. Louis County home. 

So now we have a statement…but what’s next?

I’m glad you asked!

As part of our commitment to inclusion, we have been working to create policy and programming that welcomes more people to experience The Depot. Through these efforts we have already been able to partner with two incredible community organizations; YWCA Duluth’s Girl Power, and Choice Unlimited.

We talked about Girl Power in a previous blog post, but just as a reminder, this organization held its 2021 summer camp inside The Depot. For five weeks this YWCA Duluth camp-inspired girls through activities focusing on leadership, economic literacy, outdoor education, healthy choices, and S.T.E.M. It sounds like a lot of fun to me!

Choice Unlimited is a Duluth-based non-profit organization that supports adults with disabilities and individuals who experience barriers to employment and community inclusion. The organization works to create and enhance opportunities for its clients in St. Louis and Douglas County. We are happy to say that Choice Unlimited has begun collaborating with The Depot and The Duluth Playhouse to utilize our spaces and create inclusive programming that empowers people with disabilities.

We’re so excited to see how these partnerships continue to grow and evolve. It is our greatest hope that The Depot will continue to be a cornerstone of the community, and that we can make our space more accessible to all.