A national traveling exhibit highlighting the lived experience of Catholic service will soon arrive in Cincinnati, inviting visitors to encounter stories of faith, resilience, and mercy in action.

The People of Hope Museum Tour, launched by Catholic Charities USA, will stop for two days, July 16 and 17, along Freedom Way, near the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center.

The immersive exhibit, housed in a retrofitted tractor-trailer, uses storytelling, interactive displays, and personal witness to illustrate the mission of Catholic Charities across the country.

“The People of Hope Museum Tour tells a comprehensive story of all the work we do and the shared mission behind it all. Through storytelling, it gives voice to clients, staff, and volunteers who are living the Gospel call to respond with the love of Christ,” said Tony Stieritz, CEO of Catholic Charities Southwestern Ohio.

The exhibit reflects both local impact and a wider national mission, said Stieritz. Catholic Charities agencies across the country serve millions, each agency rooted in the needs of its local community while sharing a common identity.

“This is an opportunity for us to celebrate the work we do throughout Southwest Ohio and recognize that we are part of a vast network of agencies putting God’s love into action,” said Stieritz.

The Cincinnati stop also offers the local public a moment of connection and invitation. Parish, school, and community groups are encouraged to experience the exhibit firsthand.

Set steps away from the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, the location adds deeper meaning to the tour’s message.

“Catholic Charities strives to free those in need from physical, mental, and spiritual poverty, and we share a longing to promote the lives and human dignity of all,” said Stieritz. For him, the exhibit ultimately points beyond itself, toward conversion and action.

“[It] can help form visitors’ consciences about the realities of those in poverty and present signs of hope made possible through works of mercy,” said Stieritz.

Among those signs of hope is Cincinnati volunteer Bob Miller, featured in the exhibit as one of the “People of Hope.”

A retired Navy officer and former corporate executive, Miller said his path to service developed gradually through faith, experience, and encounter.

“I believe service is part of my purpose, and we discover that purpose when we pay attention to where God is nudging us,” said Miller.

His volunteer work has included refugee resettlement, reentry programs, and Habitat for Humanity, each shaping his understanding of faith in action.

“Christ’s message is one of hope and service to others, and Matthew 25 reminds us that Christ is all around us in our neighbors,” said Miller.

Some of the most meaningful moments have come from his time with refugee families, he said.

“In a room filled with many languages and cultures, I watched people laugh together, help one another, and share both hope and fear, and I think God put those people in front of us to show us how to live,” said Miller. He sees hope as something real that shows up in everyday moments of human dignity.

“I see signs of hope every time I’m with the refugee families I’ve come to know, and these moments may seem small, but they carry so much meaning,” said Miller.

Stieritz said those lived experiences are precisely what give the exhibit its strength: “The stories of hope share examples of Christian love that can inspire others to want to follow Jesus more closely.”

The exhibit is free and open to the public Thursday, July 16 from 1 to 7 p.m., and Friday, July 17 from 3 to 6 p.m.