Catholic Charities, Diocese of Cleveland, in collaboration with St. Vincent Charity Health & Healing Hub and the Women Religious Archives Collaborative, hosted People of Hope: Faith-filled Stories of Neighbors Helping Neighbors July 8-9. The nationally touring museum is an immersive storytelling experience presented by Catholic Charities USA.
Hundreds of people took advantage of the free museum, which was located on the grounds of Joseph and Mary’s Home, which, like St. Vincent Charity Health & Healing Hub, is a ministry of the Sisters of Charity Health System.
Sister Susan Durkin, OSU, executive director of WRAC, welcomed guests to the museum at an opening ceremony on July 8. Other speakers included Chris Larson, president and CEO, Catholic Charities, Diocese of Cleveland, and Bob Varley, chair, Sisters of Charity Health System Board of Directors.
(See photo gallery above.)
Larson noted that the stories of two local people, Elizabeth Mockler and Mark Price, are included in the traveling museum. Both are affiliated with Matt Talbot, a Catholic Charities’ ministry that focuses on addiction recovery. Mockler, who is in recovery herself and also was a victim of child sexual abuse and human trafficking, now works for Matt Talbot. She shared a story of assisting others in recovery during the pandemic. Price shared an emotional story about befriending a client in recovery who called him his only friend.
Museum visitors could select from various topics and stories from volunteers, staff and community members whose lives were transformed through service. There also was an interactive poverty simulation that offered insight into the realities faced by those experiencing hardship and examples of difficult choices they face.
In addition, there were audio reflections from leading voices on poverty, social connection and community engagement, opportunities to share and record personal stories of hope and service and information about local volunteer opportunities and ways to become involved in serving the community.
“People of Hope reminds us that every act of compassion has the power to transform lives,” Larson said. “Through these stories, visitors will see how faith in action can build stronger communities, foster understanding and create meaningful connections among neighbors.”
The museum will make 150 stops during its two-year tour of the country. From March to December 2026, the museum is visiting 21 states, from Texas to Ohio and from Maine to Florida, mostly in the eastern half of the United States. Then it moves to the western states in 2027. In the first half of 2028, it will visit places missed or that would like a repeat visit. Updates on the site are available here.
Learn more about the People of Hope traveling museum here.
