Historic Eagle Scout Picks Viator House of Hospitality for Project

Skye Sonnabend of Arlington Heights is among the first 1,000 girls nationwide to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout, and among the first 14 female Eagles in her council, which takes in 20,000 Scouts in Northern Illinois and Northwest Indiana.

Skye, left, works with one of the VHH participants to build one of the beds.

What connects her with the Viatorian Community was her decision to complete her Eagle Scout project at Viator House of Hospitality. Skye led a group of more than 20 volunteers (for a total of 74 hours) in building a pair of raised garden beds outside Viator House. These gardens will enable its residents to grow vegetables for food pantry clients at nearby Catholic Charities.

“Skye’s a confident and determined young woman, grounded in her faith and in the best of our national values,” says Fr. Corey Brost, CSV, executive director of Viator House of Hospitality. “I was inspired by her desire to do her project with VHH. It shows her commitment to migrant justice.”

Skye, left, and Fr. Corey, back, both in red shirts, with volunteers building the garden beds.

Skye and her mother, Regan, met Fr. Corey through becoming involved with the Children of Abraham Coalition, whose mission is to promote interfaith literacy, relationships and reverence. Back in 2018, its young adult board members created a Peace Camp, aimed at building its values in middle school students. Skye attended their first one.

“I chose this project because I was previously affiliated with Fr. Corey and VHH due to another service project I had done there and Peace Camp,” Skye says. “I enjoy the outdoors and the science behind the plants and especially during COVID-19, this seemed like the perfect project!”

Fr. Corey describes Skye as “one fine leader” and all of Viator House of Hospitality thanks her for her contribution.