Editor’s note: The Hamilton County Department of Job and Family Services 2008 Annual Report is now available by calling 946-2189. It features a number of brief client success stores, such as that of David Baker, who uses his experience of overcoming adversity to help others. Here is more detailed account of Baker’s story.

In March 2006, David Baker suffered a work-related injury that would render him jobless for two years. A 23-year career as a manager and supervisor in service industries came to an end for the 47-year-old married father of six. 

“It really played on my mind,” said Baker, an office support specialist at the Hamilton County Department of Job and Family Services. “But I was determined not to be a victim. 

“I like a challenge,” he added, with a laugh. “I was presented with one.” 

Baker took advantage of job retraining offered through the Super Jobs Center as well as other community resources. He was hired by Hamilton County JFS in March 2008. He works directly with Medicaid, food stamps and cash assistance clients. He listens to their questions and concerns, looks through their case records for answers, and gives a timeframe for a disposition.  

Enjoys helping clients solve issues
“If there is an issue, I try to get it resolved by interacting with the caseworker and supervisor,” he said. “I try to help people leave with an answer.” 

He also performs clerical duties. His is one of six office support specialists in a clerical unit. 

“Every day is different,” Baker said. “You never really know what to expect.” 

Baker tries to refer clients to community resources so they have help while waiting for approval of public assistance.  

“We’re seeing a lot of people new to the system,” Baker said. “There is a lot of fear and apprehension. I try to put them at ease. With the way the economy is going and mass layoffs, it could happen to anybody.”

Baker was born and raised in Cincinnati. He worked in Cleveland for five years and served in the Army and National Guard for six years. Most of his career involved management and supervisory positions in the grocery, retail, apparel, dry cleaning and restaurant industries. He enjoyed interacting with the community through career fairs and fund-raisers. 

“My passion is people,” he said. “I want to see them advance.” 

Helping others tap their potential
Baker believes that most people want to succeed. Some don’t know how. Others may have been discounted. 

“Some do not have much family structure – nobody to believe in them,” said Baker, who comes from a close-knit family of 10. “I try to give them direction, to challenge them, within our guidelines.” 

Baker sees his job as an opportunity to practice a spiritual belief centered on helping others. “That gives me focus,” said Baker, noting that he’s actively involved in his church. He and his wife of 24 years serve as marriage co-facilitators. 

He believes that life experiences, such as his injury and a serious illness in his family, make him better equipped to help others. His 13-year-old son underwent successful treatment for an extreme form of leukemia eight years ago. 

Efforts gain notice in the community
In addition to the agency’s annual report, his story has been in a fund-raising letter by the Mercy Foundation and a Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County newsletter. 

Baker loves sharing quotes that helped him pull through difficult times. Two of his favorites are: 

• “Either be part of the problem, or part of the solution. Are you going to be defined by it, or are you going to define yourself?”
   
• “People don’t know how much you know until they know how much you care.”

Baker feels privileged to get an opportunity to practice those principles in his job at the agency. 

“Our life’s situations propel us to be agents of change,” he said.