From Museums to Mindsets: Building Spaces for Belonging

At Shared Wellness, we’re proud to uplift not only the individuals we serve, but also the incredible people on our team who lead with heart and purpose. One of those people is our administrative assistant, Julia Linde, who has been with us for nearly five years — and whose quiet determination is shaping more inclusive futures for all.

Last summer, Julia was awarded a fellowship grant through Villanova University, where she explored how history museums can better accommodate neurodivergent children, especially those with autism. Drawing on insights from institutions like the Smithsonian and the Museum of the American Revolution, her research offers a roadmap for creating welcoming, sensory-friendly experiences rooted in empathy and access.

This month, her research begins to take shape in new ways.

As a longtime volunteer (and now intern!) at the Glencairn Museum, Julia has worked closely with museum staff to enhance accessibility for neurodivergent visitors. Building on an existing “Know Before You Go” guide created by the museum’s team, Julia designed a special edition tailored for the upcoming Sacred Arts Festival on Sunday, April 27, from 1–5 PM. The guide includes a visual checklist and festival-specific tips to help visitors feel prepared and supported — particularly those who benefit from predictability and sensory considerations.

It’s part of a broader, ongoing effort. Julia is currently helping revise the original guide and contributing to staff training and summer focus groups, with the shared goal of launching a dedicated program for neurodivergent audiences next year.

For Julia, this project is deeply personal. She’s on the autism spectrum herself, as are several members of her family. Her lifelong love of stories, sci-fi, and folklore was sparked by a treasured gift from her grandmother: a 1924 edition of a Greek mythology book featuring the story of Hades and Persephone. “My grandma is my inspiration in most things,” Julia shared.

That particular myth — of descent, transformation, and return — has mirrored her own path in many ways. Like Persephone, Julia has navigated misunderstood spaces and returned with a vision for change. Her work builds bridges: between institutions and individuals, between tradition and innovation, between what museums have been and what they can become.

Her early love of myth and meaning led to a passion for museums — not just as places that preserve the past, but as spaces that shape belonging. “I’ve always been driven by the thought of making the place we needed when we were kids,” she said.

This is just the beginning. Julia hopes to help museums across the region adopt more inclusive practices and continue evolving into welcoming spaces for all.

We’re proud to celebrate her — and grateful to have such a compassionate changemaker on our team.