St. Vincent de Paul celebrates 80 years

 

By Kaye Hult

Eighty years ago, parishioners from St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church opened a small clothing closet that anyone in hardship could access with dignity and compassion. Thus, St. Vincent de Paul North Idaho (SVDP) was born in 1946.

"St. Vincent de Paul has been privileged to be the caretaker of those in need in Kootenai County," said executive director Scott Ferguson.

"These efforts reflect the strength in which this organization started. This same strength over the years has attracted servant-minded community members and leaders who felt called to serve the poor, start a thrift store and ensure the basic needs of our community are met with dignity," he said. "I am honored to usher in the celebration of St Vincent's 80th anniversary."

On Thursday, Sept. 17, St. Vincent's 80th Anniversary Cruise and Celebration, "Under the Lighted Pines" will take place from 4:30 to 9:00 p.m., as their inaugural celebration of 80 years of hope.

The event includes a sunset cruise aboard the Mish-an-Nock, a barbeque and seated dinner at Camp Lutherhaven, storytelling, live music and a paddle raise by auctioneer Matt Batts.

"I believe strongly in the mission of SVDP, which is to serve every individual and family in need in Kootenai County, providing a hand up to achieve self-sufficiency," he said.

Scott will complete his second year as executive director at SVDP on Nov. 4.

"Coming to SVDP has been the culmination of a unique and fun journey to expand my professional experiences in nonprofit management serving those impacted by housing insecurity and other barriers that life presents," he reflected.

Scott's passion for service and leadership began when he was a teenager growing up in Portland, Ore.

"I was lucky to have a family dynamic rooted in faith and justice," he said. "These values of humility, patience and generosity all reflect the Christian faith I have today."

Throughout his educational and vocational path, Scott said his family provided strong support.

As age 16, he began serving in a ministry called Young Life, an important early invitation into service and leadership.

"It taught me that leadership begins with building authentic relationships, showing up consistently for people and being willing to serve wherever there is a need," he said.

"Over time, what I learned helped shape my understanding of servant leadership and opened the door to greater opportunities to serve in nonprofit, educational and community leadership.

Scott said his perspective was also shaped by experiencing poverty and homelessness while serving at the Dream Center in San Francisco, California.

"That experience shaped my perspective about the impact of housing insecurity, food insecurity and true poverty," he said.

It led him to serve as an AmeriCorps VISTA member for two terms, developing volunteer infrastructure to meet the needs of people experiencing housing insecurity in Portland.

He also began his professional journey in higher education then, as the director of community engagement at Concordia University in Portland.

"During my time at the university, I developed a passion for higher education and teaching psychology at the university level," he recalled. "In addition, I had the opportunity to serve with the fundraising development department at the university. This inspired my passion for philanthropy and community engagement."

Scott earned his doctor of education from Concordia in 2020. His dissertation focused on "Empowering Student Affairs Professionals through an Action Research Study: Developing Culturally Responsive Competencies to Meet Student Needs."

He later felt inspired to diversify his professional career into nonprofit management.

After moving with his family to Post Falls in late 2020, Scott became executive director at Embrace WA in Spokane. In 2022, he transitioned to associate director of grants at Innovia Foundation.

"These experiences in higher education administration and nonprofit management allowed me to understand the nonprofit sector in the Inland Northwest," he said.

Scott came to his present position as executive director of St. Vincent de Paul North Idaho in November 2024.

"After one and a half years of reflection, I feel this position is a perfect fit that allows me to utilize my professional background of nonprofit management and leadership to continue the legacy and generosity, compassion and care that SVDP has offered for decades," he noted.

"I believe my strengths complement the staff and board of directors, who continue to exhibit an unbending commitment to care for each person who calls Kootenai County home," he continued.

For Scott, the most powerful evidence of SVDP's impact can be found in the stories of the people it serves.

"An individual personally impacted by our services supporting solutions to alleviate homelessness, for which SVDP is mostly known, is Annie Parker," he said.

Annie is a young woman and veteran who experienced several challenges that led her to participate in the case management services.

"She now independently serves as our social services manager. She soon will complete her masters of social work degree at Boise State University," he said.

 "Her resilience and tenacity to overcome the barriers that brought her here to SVDP are nothing short of a divine miracle. She is a bright star who, with the support of SVDP, is a clear example of self-sufficiency," he said.

Looking toward the future, Scott, the board and staff are committed to a newly adopted strategic plan focused on expanding affordable housing, developing workforce training, expanding social services to rural communities throughout North Idaho and strengthening social service support to families with children.

"These efforts not only prevent issues such as child abuse and additional social barriers," Scott said. "They strengthen intentional opportunities for intergenerational storytelling and identity development.

As the SVDP enters its ninth decade, Scott hopes the organization's next chapter will build upon the foundations established by the parishioners of St. Thomas the Apostle 80 years ago.

"As executive director, I hope that the next 10 years or more galvanize passionate community members to serve their neighbors in need and transform the lives of every individual and family who come to SVDP now and in the future," he concluded.

Scott announced two upcoming events.

St. Vincent de Paul North Idaho's fall fundraising event, "Souport the End of Homelessness," is planned for 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 15, at the North Idaho Fairgrounds, 4056 N. Government Way, Coeur d'Alene.

For the event, local chefs donate and serve their favorite soups while hundreds of community members gather to taste, vote for their favorites, enjoy inspiring stories and make a meaningful investment in ending homelessness in North Idaho.

In addition, from 5:30 to 9 p.m., Friday, Nov. 20, the Hayden Chamber of Commerce will launch a new tradition, Winter Glamour with a Heart: A Fashion Show for a Cause, at Best Western Coeur d'Alene Inn, 506 W. Appleway Ave.

This event will feature a fashion show showcasing clothing from SVDP thrift stores, highlight the organization's impact and benefit the St. Vincent de Paul Winter Warming Center for neighbors experiencing hardship.

For information, call (208) 664-3095 or email info@stvincentdepaulnorthidaho