Raised all over the world, new Helping Hands Director Scott Carson is proud to call Kosciusko, in particular the Pierce Chapel community, home.
Growing up with a father in the oil business, Carson was born in Cuba and lived in places such as Starkville, Texas, the Philippines, and Singapore, where he graduated from high school. He later joined the Navy, and continued his travels worldwide. His family would return to Attala County periodically to visit relatives, and he has always thought of Kosciusko as home.
“I can remember that, as a little boy, someone asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I quickly answered, ‘I want to live in Kosciusko,’” Carson said with a chuckle. He was able to move to his family land at Pierce Chapel in 2007.
“I’ve never lost that good feeling about Kosciusko,” he said.
After leaving the Navy, Carson began working with HIV prevention and outreach. He worked at the Department of Health for a time, and most recently, was office administrator for The Aids Healthcare Foundation.
“I never actually intended to go into the nonprofit segment, but I did, and it sort of stuck,” Carson admitted.
Once he moved home, however, the commute to Jackson became tedious.
“After 14 years of driving to Jackson daily, it began to wear on me. I began looking for something closer to home,” said Carson. Hearing about the Helping Hands position, Carson decided to apply.
“I almost didn’t do it, but I prayed about it and went to the interview. Afterwards, I had a good feeling about it, and within two days, I had the offer. I told the Lord, ‘You opened the door, so I should walk through,’” he told The Star-Herald.
Having only been on the job for a short time, Carson has already has several good impressions of the ministry.
“It is a strong and vibrant organization, and it is thriving thanks to dedicated people. We literally could not do what we do without our volunteers,” Carson said.
He also spoke highly of interim director Jackie Winters.
“She is amazing, and I appreciate what she has done so much,” he said.
As he begins the job, Carson has decided not to change too much right away.
“I want to be quiet, watch, and listen,” he said of his approach to the job.
He does, however, have some long-range goals.
“I would like to explore grant opportunities, and I would like to eventually have the funds to hire some help. We love and need our volunteers, but it’s always good to have someone paid,” Carson said.
He also would like to clear out some of the surplus clothing in the warehouse.
“Right now, we have a surplus due to COVID and people not coming in as much. I might do something like a clothing give away in order to clean that out. We shouldn’t have this much surplus when we’re a ministry that helps people,” Carson said.
Of course, he will also do more organizing, advertising, and fund raising.
“I think that our thrift shop will get more traffic if we advertise, for example. I think there are many people who don’t know we are there. Fundraising is also a very important part of the job, and it had to be curtailed during COVID. We hope to bring that back as soon as it is safe to do so,” he said.
Carson said he is particularly looking forward to being out from behind a desk.
“Although I’ve worked in the nonprofit sector for a number of years, it is easy to lose that personal connection when you sit behind a desk. I like having personal contact with clients and knowing that I helped someone today,” he said. “I have been amazed at the number of people coming by for help, and I realize that it’s easy to overlook the need that is there. I am very glad to be in a position to help the people of Kosciusko.”
