Catholic Charities People of Hope Museum Shares Stories of Christian Service
How are Catholic Charities agencies around the United States and here in Maine providing hope to our neighbors in need?
How can each of us do the same?
Those are the questions explored in the Catholic Charities USA People of Hope Museum, a traveling, interactive museum that is visiting the city of Portland, Maine, on April 24 and 25.
The museum celebrates the power of Christian service, while raising awareness of the challenges many of our brothers and sisters face.
“We are doing this to bring stories of hope to communities and to share stories of neighbors helping neighbors to encourage volunteerism, to encourage people to be more aware of the need in their communities and of the opportunities at their local Catholic Charities to volunteer, and also to learn more about what their local Catholic Charities does in the community,” said Julie Bourbon, a senior writer for Catholic Charities USA.
The travelling museum, located in a large tractor trailer, contains numerous interactive displays. It challenges you to walk in the shoes of some of your neighbors and to make the choices they are often faced with, for instance choosing between food, medicine, or paying rent for an elderly person on a fixed income.
It allows you to highlight any state, including Maine, and learn how it is faring in areas such as the cost of living, access to healthcare, or child poverty.
It gives you a chance to listen to stories of hope from Catholic Charities workers around the country, each one sharing a particularly impactful encounter they have had. Among those featured is Kirsten Connelly, director of Catholic Charities’ Maine’s Education Services for Blind & Visually Impaired Children, who shared the lesson one of her students taught her.
"It's not about shaping a student's future for them. It's about walking alongside them as they discover who they are," she said in the video.
Connelly said she has found the exhibits in the museum inspirational and impactful.
“It really is full of information, and information is power. It is full of hope, and hope is an inspiration to take action,” she said. "I think we live in a time right now where it’s good to have the information. It’s good to build the story of what’s going on, and it’s good to feel like anyone can take action to do something, to connect with neighbors.”
The museum also includes a learning library where you can listen to short audio excerpts from books about poverty, service, and community, and there is a recording booth where you can share your own story of hope and inspiration.
“I’m very impressed. This is a first, first class exhibit. To be able to feature Maine and what's happening regarding the state of poverty here in Maine, it's remarkable. It’s a bit striking. It’s good work, needed work. I’m glad it came to Portland,” said Brother Jerome Lessard, FIC, who traveled from Alfred to visit the museum.
Catholic Charities Maine CEO Steve Letourneau said, because of its interactive nature, he believes the travelling museum is an effective way to share the message of the work of Catholic Charities and the importance of service.
“It’s not your typical museum because it’s about stories. It’s actual human lives and impactful stories, so I think that makes it unique,” he said. “It’s also technology driven. The biggest thing we need to do as a Church is invigorate youth, and I think this could really invigorate youth, especially high school kids because they’re all about technology, and kids are also very enthusiastic about helping other people.”
The People of Hope Museum’s national tour began March 26 in New York City and will continue for three years. In 2026, most of the stops will be along the East Coast. It will be in Portland through April 25 and then move on to Burlington, Vermont. A complete schedule and more about the museum can be found at https://peopleofhope.us.
The museum was made possible thanks to a grant from Lilly Endowment, Inc.
