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Lead SDSU students learn how to improve communities

At age 40, veteran San Diego banker Daniel Scott traded job security and a lucrative salary to put a roof over other people’s heads.

He got a real estate license and joined a nonprofit group that provides housing for Oceanside’s poorest population.

In 1996, Scott heard about a relatively new program at San Diego State University.

The Community Economic Development certificate program offered community activists, like Scott, the tools to make neighborhoods and businesses prosper.

Classes held every other Saturday focused on how to develop business plans, prepare grant proposals, invest in real estate as well as accounting and public relations skills.

Scott decided the eight-month program would be a good way to broaden his skills beyond housing issues. So he enrolled.


– Practical Experience

The coursework required all students to undertake a project to put the classroom material into practice.

Many times, the students were able to combine their projects with their everyday work.

Scott decided to found a “homeownership program” that linked with his daily activities as director of housing at SER (which stands for Service, Employment and Development) Jobs for Progress.

Through the organization, Scott was able to apply for federal funds and would use the money to finance properties. Twenty Oceanside homes were renovated and sold to low-income buyers as a result of Scott’s work.

But the lessons learned went beyond financing homes, he said.

“When I created the homeownership program, I learned the importance of having a comprehensive approach in dealing with low-income residents,” he said.

“It’s more than just sticks and bricks you need to empower people to be part of improving their lives.”


– Taking Charge Of Their Lives

Scott finds knowledge is the key to self-sufficiency or self-empowerment. It’s people that are willing to share their “gifts and talents” leading the less fortunate to the path of empowerment.

In 2000, Scott created his own nonprofit group, Faith Based Community Development Corp. in Vista.

Scott, who is a Christian, said Faith Based welcomes people with high moral values , regardless of their religious backgrounds , to help him in his endeavors.

This September, Scott wants to open a new credit union in Oceanside to offer residents “an alternative to day-to-day loan operations and check-cashing operations.”

He couldn’t give details.

Linda Guzzo, associate director at SDSU’s Center for Community Economic Development, finds Scott’s profile fits most students.

“A lot of students come from disadvantaged areas or districts where the resources have been tight,” said Guzzo, herself a graduate of the initial program in 1995.

“They want to make a difference in their community, but from an economic perspective, and help people help themselves.”


– Seeing Results In The Neighborhood

In her 10-year career at the San Diego Convention & Visitors Bureau, Guzzo thrived in helping businesses flourish.

But she watched helplessly as her own neighborhood in North Park deteriorated.

At SDSU, she made the critical connections to initiate a change.

Now Guzzo watches with pride the success of North Park’s transformation into a local arts and cultural mecca.

“Since I graduated in 1996 I have been an active leader in North Park’s Mainstreet Group,” Guzzo said of the community group dedicated to revitalizing the area.

She counts Claire de Lune Coffee Lounge, a popular coffeehouse on University Avenue, among the big success stories in bringing cultural entertainment to the area.

The coffeehouse opened in 1997 .

The same year, Guzzo joined SDSU as associate director at the Center for Community Economic Development.

About 30 students are on the annual student roster in the certificate program, she said.

“Most of them have a bachelor’s degree or the equivalent in work,” Guzzo said.

The majority are in their 30s and come from all walks of life , the corporate world, religious organizations and local social groups.

Still, their goals typically converge.


– A Different Perspective

Steve Weathers, who until recently had been recruiting high-tech companies to San Diego on behalf of the San Diego Regional Economic Development Corp., said the courses he took last September were an eye-opener.

“I participated because I had been involved in corporate economic development for 10 years,” Weathers said.

As a result of the course, he now views community development and corporate development as equally important.

In his new role as CEO and president at the Greater Tucson Economic Council in Arizona, Weathers plans to work closely with community leaders.

He finds most EDCs, including the EDC in San Diego, focus on burgeoning businesses, not neighborhoods.

“I don’t think CEOs and CFOs and other businesses are really aware of how important community economic development is. It’s a whole other world,” he said.

Wendell French, community development manager at Wells Fargo Bank in Downtown San Diego, is arguably the exception.

The 1996 SDSU certificate program graduate said the coursework laid the groundwork for his desired move from mortgage banking into community banking.

“I wanted to be more involved and provide housing and programs that make housing affordable,” French said.

Last year, Wells Fargo provided $25 million in community loans, he said. By comparison, this year Wells Fargo funneled $38 million to communities as of July 9, he added.

By contrast, Scott said he never found fulfillment in the corporate world.

Although, he admitted, the move into the nonprofit world wasn’t easy.

“When I made my transition (into the nonprofit world), I was concerned about having an odd form of a midlife crisis,” Scott recalled.

At the time, Scott rediscovered a long-buried faith in Christianity. Consequently, he made a career change and found spiritual freedom.

“It gives more significance and meaning to my life. In middle management, you are confronted with policies and procedures that are focused around making a profit for your shareholders. In a nonprofit arena, you focus on a mission and that is to improve the quality of life.”

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