Catholic Social Services (CSS) 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.
CSS is hosting the People of Hope Museum and free street fair on Sunday, July 12 and Monday, July 13 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The street fair and museum will be located on N. Fifth Street, between E. Broad Street and E. Gay Street, in Columbus. The fair is free and open to the public.
The People of Hope Museum is an initiative of Catholic Charities USA, a national membership organization for 168 independent Catholic Charities agencies in the country. 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 meaningful, memorable encounters with families and individuals in need.
The museum also includes a recording studio where visitors can share their stories of hope and service. Visitors can experience an interactive poverty simulator, gain a greater understanding of poverty in Ohio and the United States, and listen to recordings of book excerpts about poverty, social isolation, bridgebuilding and community action.
The street fair includes food, music, retail vendors, a children’s activity area and a service project.
“At Catholic Social Services, we believe that hope is most powerful when it is shared. The People of Hope Street Fair brings together neighbors, families, volunteers and supporters to celebrate the resilience, strength and dignity of those we serve. It is a joyful reminder that when a community comes together with compassion and purpose, lives are changed and hope becomes a reality,” said Kelley Henderson, president and CEO at CSS.
CSS serves more than 17,000 of the most vulnerable people throughout central and southern Ohio each year.
The People of Hope Museum launched its tour of the United States in March and will travel the country for two-and-a-half years. The initiative is made possible by a 2024 grant from Lilly Endowment Inc. through an invitational round of its National Storytelling Initiative on Christian Faith and Life.
Since 1945, CSS has been a source of compassion, dignity and hope for people in the community. Serving more than 11,000 individuals annually, its mission is supported by dedicated volunteers who help seniors find connection, guide families towards a brighter future, and assist persons with disabilities.
To learn more about the People of Hope Museum, visit www.peopleofhope.us. To explore volunteer opportunities or learn more about CSS programs, visit www.colscss.org.