People of Hope: Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Rochester brings National Community Service Storytelling Museum to Rochester and Horseheads, NY

Rochester, NY – Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Rochester (CCDOR) is joining agencies across the U.S. to host People of Hope: Faith-Filled Stories of Neighbors Helping Neighbors, a nationwide storytelling museum designed to amplify the real, local impact of compassion and service in our communities.  The museum will be free and open to the public at two locations in May:

Monday, May 4, 2026 - Horseheads, NY
St. Mary Our Mother Church
816 W. Broad St.
12:30pm-4:30pm

Thursday, May 7, 2026 - Rochester, NY
St. Marianne Cope Parish at Guardian Angels Church
2061 East Henrietta Rd.
10:00am-6:00pm

Rochester Bishop John Bonnici will open the museum and welcome guests both days at 10am.

Housed in a retrofitted tractor-trailer, the People of Hope Museum is an initiative of Catholic Charities USA, representing 168 independent agencies and 3,900 service locations nationwide. This immersive experience features video stories from Catholic Charities staff and volunteers around the country, including a story from Catholic Charities Chemung-Schuyler. Visitors can also take part in an interactive poverty simulation to gain insight into the difficult choices many families face every day. Visitors are also encouraged to use an on-site recording studio to record and share their own stories of hope, service, and community.

In addition to the museum, attendees will have the opportunity to learn more about the work of CCDOR. Representatives of CCDOR’s six agencies, including Catholic Charities Family and Community Services, will be on hand to share information about programs and services throughout the 12-county Diocese of Rochester and opportunities to volunteer and engage with the agency’s mission to serve those in need.

Rochester and Horseheads are among the first stops on the national tour of the People of Hope Museum. The tour of the United States launched in March and the museum will travel the country for two-and-a-half years. The initiative is made possible thanks to a 2024 grant of nearly $5 million from Lilly Endowment Inc.

To learn more about the People of Hope Museum, visit www.peopleofhope.us.

To explore volunteer opportunities or learn more about Catholic Charities Family and Community Services, visit www.fcscharities.org.