Testimonial from Madeline Gathers – Director of Visitor Experience, Explore & More – The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Children’s Museum 

A History of Inclusion for All 

Explore & More was founded on the belief that every child deserves the chance to play, laugh, and learn. In our 27 years, we have been dedicated to fulfilling this mission with equity, access, and inclusion. Diversifying our staff; hiring team members who look like each unique child who walks through our doors is key to this effort. 

Exploring New Diversity Opportunities 

In 2021, we welcomed two VIA: Visually Impaired Advancement student volunteers to the museum. Having not worked with visually impaired individuals in a professional capacity prior to this year, we gratefully accepted support from VIA. The organization helped us ensure that our volunteers had the resources to have a valuable volunteer work experience – which resulted in each of the volunteers being hired by Explore & More by the end of the year. 

Encouraging More Ways to Engage 

We are appreciative of our partnership with VIA and strongly encourage our fellow Western New York organizations to engage with VIA and its esteemed members, who we have seen firsthand develop meaningful relationships with our team, our guests, and the community. 

VIA thanks Explore & More for their continued support in advancing the lives of individuals who are visually impaired.  

Learn more about VIA’s Workforce Development programs.