Associates Julie and Randy Baker have volunteered for Viator House of Hospitality since its inception, in 2017. They have supported the young asylum seekers in a variety of ways, but their latest effort was, well, pure fun.
Associates Julie and Randy Baker
The couple opened their home and backyard pool to Viator House participants, for a casual afternoon of swimming, eating and just plain old relaxing. Their offer drew 13 young men from seven nations to spend the afternoon with them.
“We are blessed that we can offer the guys a place to hang-out on a hot summer day,” Randy says simply.
Randy has been involved with the Viatorians’ mission of supporting immigrants, since 2014 when they joined with other religious congregations to open the Marie-Joseph House for Hospitality in Chicago’s western suburbs. When the Viatorians struck out on their own and opened Viator House of Hospitality three years later, Randy was among the first volunteers.
Julie, a registered nurse, has been involved in the fundraising side of the house. She volunteered on the team to design its first fundraiser, the Taste of Viator House, the same year it opened and she has co-chaired the event for the last six years. It is one of the largest fundraisers for the home.
This year’s event takes place at 6 p.m. on Oct. 5. Register to attend here: Registration Options (donorperfect.net)
Mostly, the couple says they support the mission of providing compassionate accompaniment of young male immigrants seeking asylum. Supporting Viator House and its participants helps them live out their commitments as Viatorian associates, they say.
“We both have been dedicated educators of faith, we value and embrace all people especially those who are ‘accounted of little importance,’ ” Julie says, “and finally, we feel that the House of Hospitality is a welcoming, humane and fiscally-responsive alternative to immigration detention for young men. We both love to help out whenever possible.”
While hosting a backyard pool party seemed like a natural, its benefits for the young participants extended far beyond jumping in the pool, says Fr. Corey Brost, CSV, Executive Director.
“Some of the best moments at Viator House are when kids who’ve experienced so much loss can be kids again,” he says. “Thanks to all our friends who bring fun into the lives of the young men who call Viator House home.”