Tyler Harris graduated at the top of his class in 2014 at Saint Viator High School and he went on to earn a prestigious scholarship to the University of Notre Dame, enabling him to work with the university’s chief investment officer.
Next month, he starts his career as a business analyst with the global management consulting firm, McKinsey & Company in Chicago. Yet, before he starts, Tyler wanted to spend his summer in service.
Consequently, for the last two months he has been helping the young men at Viator House of Hospitality, a safe home started by the Viatorians for young men seeking asylum in the United States.
Tyler is the fourth Saint Viator graduate — and sixth summer intern overall — at the home, run by Fr. Corey Brost, CSV, and Br. Michael Gosch, CSV.
“I am just so impressed,” Fr. Corey says. “It shows the effect of a Viatorian
education, of wanting to integrate into their lives the need to stand with people on the margins.”
Summer interns spend anywhere from six to 15 hours a week at the house, which currently has 21 young men living there. They do a variety of tasks, from tutoring and driving them to school and jobs, to organizing activities and volunteer opportunities.
“It’s a chance to learn about immigration and help young men around their age seeking asylum,” Fr. Corey adds.
Just this week, Tyler and some of its residents worked in the Viatorian Community Garden, that grows fresh produce for families served by area food pantries. In fact, the young men of Viator House have their own bed of plants, and Tyler led them in harvesting some of their tomatoes, which they then brought to Catholic Charities in Des Plaines.
It’s a far cry from the consulting work he’ll be doing with McKinsey, however, Tyler says his Saint Viator education opened his eyes to the importance of direct service.
“Saint Viator challenged me not only to pursue a rigorous academic education, but to balance it, spiritually, socially and through service,” Tyler said before he graduated. “That’s what has separated a Viator education.”