Our Denny, Founder of FP4H

Ralph Dennis Scott

July 28, 1942 – May 22, 2021

FOUNDER AND CHAIR (2015-2021)

During the last six years of Denny’s life, he accomplished some of his greatest work. He became very passionate about the subject of Homelessness and volunteered to work with Winter Hospitality Overflow (WHO). This interaction along with the Courtyard Village evictions prompted him to formulate a Homelessness Task Force. He was able to coordinate this with Pastor Jim Stender, of St. Andrew Lutheran Church. In August 2015, the Task Force was able to host a Community Conversation. Denny contacted city leaders and organizations working with homelessness and asked them to speak, with small group discussion following.

This overflowing meeting started a core of volunteers, which became Faith Partners for Housing (FP4H).

Their first goal was to educate interested churches and organizations about the causes of homelessness. Once FP4H understood the causes, they were able to take this information to other churches, organizations, educators, city and county officials, and the community at large. This was accomplished by developing a Power Point presentation and developing a Website.

Denny was a multitasker, and his professional life as a lobbyist was one of his greatest gifts to us. He always saw the big picture and kept track of a myriad of moving parts, and networked with city and county officials, organizations, and churches. He went to Olympia to testify and advocate for bills, wrote editorials, met with foundations, and stayed in contact with homelessness organizations.

FP4H began to focus on a second goal, which was to develop a Home Share Program in Clark County. Denny and others researched information, discovered what worked, what didn’t, and why. He composed a subgroup to work on grant proposals; and Denny was greatly gratified the proposals were making significant progress before he died. Denny was able to empower others to take on a role and reminded them patience and persistence was required for any volunteer start-up project.

DENNY WAS A LEADER WHO LIVED HIS FAITH.
HE TRULY DEDICATED HIS LIFE TO THE CAUSE AND CURE OF HOMELESSNESS.

We, The Members of Faith Partners for Housing will carry on Denny’s legacy, always remembering with love and respect, Denny, our faithful founder, leader and friend.