Scott Ferguson: 'We can't do this alone'

COEUR d’ALENE — After three weeks as St. Vincent de Paul North Idaho’s executive director, Scott Ferguson has discovered few things. 

One, he loves his new job. 

Two, many people depend on the nonprofit. 

And three, he has a great team that goes along with his great expectations for them and himself. 

“We want to best serve those who have been impacted by poverty,” Ferguson said as he sat in his office at the Help Center on Harrison Avenue. “I want to be a champion of that.” 

The 43-year-old recently took the reins of one of the region’s biggest nonprofits with 68 employees, more than 25 services and an annual client count of about 5,000. 

Ferguson said the reach of St. Vincent de Paul North Idaho, whether through its housing program, beds at the warming shelter, meals at Father Bill’s Kitchen, or clothes at his thrift store, is long and wide.

“That’s a huge impact,” Ferguson said.  

And it puts him in a role allows him to utilize his energy and passion, combined with professional and personal skills, to help those in need. It is one he said comes with great responsibility. 

“This is a position I am absolutely honored and privileged to have,” Ferguson said. “There’s some exciting opportunities.” 

Ferguson, who replaces Larry Riley, was previously with Innovia Foundation, where he was the associate director of grants. He has more than 20 years of leadership experience in higher education and the nonprofit sector “with a demonstrated commitment to fostering community engagement and serving under-resourced communities.” 

He earned his Bachelor of Arts from Warner Pacific College, his master’s degree in education from Portland State and his Doctor of Education from Concordia University. 

Ferguson and his wife, who live in Post Falls, like the outdoors. He plays pickleball and “enjoys a great cup of coffee."

Ferguson pays close attention to those speaking to him and is quick to smile and praise. He brims with energy, which he said comes naturally because he loves his work.

“It’s not Evans Brothers Coffee," he said, laughing.

He used the word “authenticity” when describing the organization that is committed to its mission of serving the less fortunate, those impacted by poverty and homelessness. 

It does so through compassion, caring and integrity. He said it is a line of work that demands heart as much as intellect.

“We want to make sure each person who comes in is valued, honored and recognized,” he said. 

It's like to become even busier.

St. Vincent’s warming shelter in Post Falls has been open two nights so far. This winter, it received donations to allow it to open when its 33 degrees instead of 28. 

Last year it was open 66 nights and it will likely become fully operational in December as cooler conditions settle in. 

"We don’t want any individual out in the cold,” Ferguson said.  

He speaks of “lives transformed” through community engagement and collaboration with its partners like Heritage Health. He hopes to lead St. Vincent to expand its outreach, work at a higher level and respond quickly to those who walk through the doors of the Help Center.

“We can’t do this alone,” he said. “It's amazing to see the level, breadth and depth of the connection."

His goals in his new job are simple to start: Value staff and clients, strengthen community ties and share St. Vincent’s story of how it assists so many is so many ways.

“Helping our community realize that we’re not just a thrift store," Ferguson said.