Volunteers of America Mid-States adds Manchester native, Trent Baker, to their leadership team

A Manchester native, Trent Baker, has started a new leadership role at Volunteers of America Mid-States (VOA).

The regional affiliate of the national nonprofit Volunteers of America Inc. serves Kentucky, West Virginia, Tennessee and Clark and Floyd Counties in Indiana. In 2019, VOA expanded their services for individuals and families affected by substance use disorder to Clay County. Since the organization came to the region, they have served more than 470 women, 249 children and created nearly 70 jobs for Southeast Kentucky.

In April, VOA hired Trent Baker as their Director of Community Relations to support the growth of the organization in Southeast Kentucky. In his role, Trent will work to identify, cultivate, and manage relationships in communities across the region and ensure Kentuckians know of VOA’s diverse and comprehensive services.

“I would love for VOA to have roots in every county in Kentucky, especially my region,” Trent said.

With a background in public relations and a decade of working alongside Sheriff Patrick Robinson and former Sheriff Kevin Johnson as the Public Affairs Officer for the Clay County Sheriff’s Office, Trent understands the unique needs of the region.

Born and raised in Clay County, and later working for the Sheriff’s Office, Trent has witnessed the effects substance use has had on his community. Through his role at VOA, he is committed to creating lasting, positive change for Southeast Kentucky so future generations can have opportunities to prosper in the region, including his own children, nine-year-old Kayleigh and five-year-old Carleigh.

“Most of the kids here, even the people I went to school with, don’t stay here because there’s no jobs,” he said. “I want to be somebody who can help Clay County out and with this position at VOA, I can do that.”

Trent will coordinate and lead community engagement efforts like volunteer opportunities at VOA’s recovery program for pregnant and parenting women, Freedom House. He will also identify community events and resources that will raise awareness of VOA’s programs and cultivate partnerships with other organizations in the communities VOA serves.

“We are thrilled to welcome Trent to our VOA team. His experience in public relations and knowledge of the unique needs of Southeast Kentucky communities is an invaluable asset to our organization. With Trent’s help, VOA’s life-changing services will be prominent and easily accessible to families in need across the region,” said VOA Mid-States President and CEO Jennifer Hancock.

To learn more about VOA and how you can get involved in their mission in Southeast Kentucky, reach out to Trent Baker at TrentB@voamid.org.