Meet Carl DeScott, a nearly lifelong resident of South Euclid, who will be serving as an AmeriCorps VISTA with One South Euclid (OSE) over the next year. A graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University, Carl will develop programs and initiatives to drive economic development in our commercial districts with a focus on support for small businesses.
VISTA Members are full-time volunteers that serve at non-profit organizations that focus their efforts on building organizational, administrative, and financial capacity for organizations that foster economic development, strengthen community groups, fight illiteracy, improve health services, and otherwise assist low-income communities.
Carl plans to engage with owners and entrepreneurs in order to understand the strengths and challenges of operating a business in South Euclid. “I’ll start by developing a survey to get a better understanding of what resources are needed using best practices in economic development as a guideline,” he says.
Originally from Richmond Heights, Carl says his family moved to South Euclid nearly 20 years ago in part so he and
his brother could attend South Euclid-Lyndhurst public schools. What he loves about the city are its abundance of trees and public transportation system. “In terms of commercial districts, one of my favorite small businesses I would walk to as a kid was Dairy King. Those are fond memories,” he says.
Annette Iwamoto, OSE’s Executive Director, says that the VISTA position will build the organization’s capacity to support small businesses. “We’re excited that Carl will be working with us and look forward to expanding One South Euclid’s programs to support economic development activities and our business districts,” she says.
When not engaged in his position as a VISTA, Carl’s avocation is photography, primarily portraiture. He has created posters, album covers for DVD cases, and dabbles in playwriting.