People of Hope museum coming to Vermont: Nationwide storytelling initiative highlights Christian service

An immersive traveling museum that tells the story of the impact of Christian service will visit Vermont at the end of the month, with a stop at Saint Michael’s College. 

Stories of service are at the center of People of Hope: Faith-Filled Stories of Neighbors Helping Neighbors, a national storytelling initiative housed in a digitally retrofitted tractor-trailer. The museum will be hosted by Vermont Catholic Charities from April 28-29 on Saint Michael’s College’s campus.  

“This traveling museum aligns with the Edmundite mission and the core values of a Saint Michael’s education, including service and social justice,” said Fr. David Theroux, SSE, Vice President of Edmundite Mission at Saint Michael’s College. “I know that Catholic Charities has done great work many times over, including helping people during times of great need. I experienced their good works personally during the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina in Louisiana, where I was based at the time.” 

The People of Hope traveling museum will be hosted on Saint Michael’s College’s campus by Vermont Catholic Charities on April 28 and 29. (Courtesy of Catholic Charities USA)

Visitors can tour the museum, which will be parked in the back lot of the Tarrant Recreation Center, each day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. On April 28, Bishop John McDermott of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington will celebrate Mass at 4 p.m. at the Chapel of St. Michael the Archangel, also on campus.   

Through the People of Hope Museum, visitors can watch first-person video accounts from staff and volunteers of Catholic Charities agencies across the country, sharing meaningful and memorable encounters with families and individuals in need. Visitors will also be able to share their own stories of hope and service through the on-site recording studio, explore U.S. and state-level poverty data through visual displays, experience an interactive poverty simulation and listen to audio book excerpts about poverty, social isolation, bridgebuilding and community action from authors such as Arthur Brooks, Oprah Winfrey, Matthew Desmond and Robert Putnam.  

One of the exhibits included in the People of Hope traveling museum, which focuses on the stories of staff and volunteers at Catholic Charities USA. (Courtesy of Catholic Charities USA)

Client stories are the foundation of the People of Hope Museum and highlight the everyday encounters that remind us of the strength and compassion present in our communities. Here in Vermont, Vermont Catholic Charities accompanies individuals and families facing hardship through programs such as Emergency Aid, Prison Ministry, and Counseling. These services meet immediate needs, but they also nurture hope, which can grow when people feel seen, supported and valued. 

“Every day our staff and volunteers encounter stories of courage, perseverance and hope,” said Mary Beth Pinard, Executive Director of Vermont Catholic Charities. “The People of Hope Museum gives voice to those moments and reminds us that behind every program and service is a person with dignity, a story and a future. By sharing these experiences, we deepen our understanding of the challenges our neighbors face and the ways compassion and faith can bring real change to our communities.” 

Visitors at the People of Hope traveling museum can share their own stories of hope and service through an on-site recording studio. (Photo courtesy of Catholic Charities USA)

The stories shared at Vermont Catholic Charities each day deepen the nonprofit’s understanding of community needs and inspire its ongoing work. The agency invites community members to learn more about this work and consider getting involved through volunteering or other forms of support. 

The People of Hope Museum’s tour began in New York City on March 26, 2026, and will continue through 2028. The initiative is made possible by a nearly $5 million grant awarded in 2024 by Lilly Endowment Inc., through an invitational round of its National Storytelling Initiative on Christian Faith and Life.  

To learn more about People of Hope, visit www.peopleofhope.us. To explore volunteer opportunities or learn more about Vermont Catholic Charities’ programs, visit www.vtcatholiccharities.org