“Hope Starts Here” is an immersive experience, transporting visitors to vulnerable communities around the world where Compassion works.

ST. CLAIRSVILLE — Compassion International, a leading child development organization, launched its new “Hope Starts Here” experience, which is coming to St. Clairsville this weekend.

East Richland Evangelical Friends Church is hosting the new interactive exhibit today through Monday.

Buoyed by compelling personal stories, “Hope Starts Here” is an immersive experience, transporting visitors to vulnerable communities where Compassion International works. This free, family-friendly event is designed to inspire compassion and action for children living in poverty around the world.

“Hope Starts Here” is an immersive experience, transporting visitors to vulnerable communities around the world where Compassion works.

Compassion International recently unveiled the exhibit as part of a pilot launch hosted by three churches in Alabama, Indiana and New York in late August. The display will educate visitors about the realities of life in poverty and provide an up-close, personal experience in a low- or middle-income country. The exhibit features multiple pods with interactive content, touch screens, and compelling, real-life stories of children impacted by Compassion and its local church partners.

“Hope Starts Here” offers a unique and engaging way for individuals, families, and groups to learn about the challenges faced by children and families in poverty, as well as the impact that Compassion’s programs have had on their lives. Through its child development program, Compassion provides support to more than 2 million children in 29 countries.

“Every child deserves the opportunity to reach their full God-given potential, regardless of their location or the circumstances they were born into,” said Santiago “Jimmy” Mellado, president and CEO of Compassion International. “Most people think about children in poverty needing the basics – food, shelter, clean water, education. That’s all true, but there’s nothing more basic than hope. And we’ve found that hope can be nurtured and grown. We’re eager to share that story with those who want to be part of turning hope into reality.”

Compassion International does all of its work through partnerships with thousands of local churches worldwide.

The ministry firmly believes local churches are best suited to address the needs of the children in their communities and act as catalysts for community change because they are already located and invested in the communities they serve. Because of their unique role, local churches can create an environment of unparalleled stability where children’s lives are transformed by tangible expressions of God’s love.

For more information about Compassion and “Hope Starts Here,” visit compassionexperience.com.