People of Hope Mobile Museum
May 1, 2026 - May 1, 2026 - 9:00AM to 5:00PM - Holy Cross Church, DeWitt, NY
People of Hope: CATHOLIC CHARITIES DIOCESE OF SYRACUSE to Host National Community Service Storytelling Initiative in Syracuse, NY.
Catholic Charities hosts traveling museum to highlight impact of neighbors helping neighbors
Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Syracuse is joining Catholic Charities agencies across the United States to host People of Hope: Faith-Filled Stories of Neighbors Helping Neighbors, a nationwide storytelling museum designed to amplify the profound impact of Christian service. Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Syracuse will host the People of Hope Museum on Friday, May 1st from 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM at Holy Cross Church in DeWitt, a suburb of Syracuse, New York.
The People of Hope Museum is an initiative of Catholic Charities USA, the national membership organization for 168 independent Catholic Charities agencies around the country. Collectively, last year, the Catholic Charities network of agencies served more than 16 million people regardless of faith, addressing needs ranging from food insecurity and housing to disaster assistance, health care, and family support.
Housed in a retrofitted tractor-trailer, the People of Hope Museum is an immersive experience that brings to life more than 40 professionally produced video stories featuring staff and volunteers of Catholic Charities agencies across the country sharing their meaningful, memorable encounters with families and individuals in need.
The People of Hope Museum also includes a recording studio where visitors can share their own stories of hope and service. In addition, visitors can experience an interactive poverty simulator, gain a greater understanding of poverty in New York and across the United States, and listen to recordings of book excerpts about poverty, social isolation, bridgebuilding, and community action.
“The People of Hope Museum is a living testament to our commitment to serve all of our neighbors who are struggling, suffering, and in need of help” according to Mike Melara, CEO of Catholic Charities for the Syracuse Diocese. “We are thrilled that our community is hosting the museum.”
For more than 100 years, Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Syracuse has supported individuals and families with guidance, resources, and compassionate care during times of need. Each year, the agency serves more than 104,000 neighbors of all faiths, races, ethnicities, and nationalities across every stage of life.
This spirit of accompaniment is reflected in the work of Catholic Charities agencies nationwide, which include 168 independent agencies and 3,900 service locations across the United States and five territories. Though the services offered by each local agency differ, Catholic Charities agencies are united by a shared commitment to honor the dignity of every person and answer the Gospel call to come to the aid of those most in need.
The People of Hope Museum launched its tour of the United States in March and will travel the U.S. for two-and-a-half years. The initiativeis made possible thanks to a 2024 grant of nearly $5 million from Lilly Endowment, Inc. through an invitational round of its National Storytelling Initiative on Christian Faith and Life.
To learn more about the People of HopeMuseum, visit www.peopleofhope.us. To learn more about the programs and services offered by Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Syracuse, visit ccsyrdio.org.