Recovering alcoholic personifies spirit of older worker week
Mary Louise Speer
David Smith is celebrating more than a year of working for West End Alano Club & Café in Davenport — a milestone that may seem modest to some people. But Smith, a recovering alcoholic, proudly sees his job as proof of his commitment to be self-supporting and staying sober.
Smith, 59, also is one of the many older workers being hailed for their contributions during this week's National Employ the Older Worker Week observance. Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack signed a proclaimation recognizing Older Worker Week and the observance was initiated by the American Legion in 1958.
Smith, who has been sober for more than two years, became a member of West End Alano's board of directors three months ago.
"It's been a long two years for me, but it's worth it," the Davenport man says. "I mostly wash dishes, clean the place and make sure it is kept clean."
Smith is paid for working 20 hours a week with funding from Experience Works, a national nonprofit employment and training organization for low-income people. It is funded through the U.S. Department of Labor and recipients are age 55 or older, said Darlene Martin, a field operation assistant for Experience Works.
The organization is working with four people in Cedar County and three people in Scott County with slots for three more Scott County positions. "We try to place people in jobs that are basically things they like to do," Martin said. "How many people have worked in jobs all their life they didn't like?"
The job in Alano's cafe is a glove fit for Smith, who says he hit bottom a few years ago after realizing how many hundreds of dollars he had thrown away on alcohol.
"I went to the Davenport Police Department and they referred me to County Oaks (residential and detoxification center). That's where it all started. I was so bad when I got to Country Oaks, they said I looked like I was dead," he said.
Smith made it through the program and looked for a way to support himself in his new life. An acquaintance told him about the Experience Works program and suggested he set up an appointment.
"The first thing you know, I was working," he said.
He worked briefly for another organization before going to work at Alano and moving into an apartment of his own. "When I moved in, I slept on the floor. I didn't have furniture. I worked my way up. Some of the people here helped me with furniture," Smith said.
The club offers a safe environment for people like Smith, who are working to stay sober and in control of their lives. Alcohol beverages are not allowed on the premises.
"I know that I'm not going to go out there and get all messed up," Smith said. "I'm not the type to sit around. I've got to have something to do. It keeps my mind occupied and off drinking and that's why I'm glad I'm here."
Smith was raised by an aunt in Baltimore, Md., after his mother died in childbirth. He became a painter at age 13 and hitchhiked all over the United States. The wandering stopped temporarily in 1986 when physicians told Smith he had cancer. "They took out half my stomach and esophagus, he said.
Smith wound up in Davenport eight years ago and kept drinking. His aunt died three years ago, leaving him without any family. These days, he considers his family to be the people he works with at the cafe. And life is getting brighter.
"I think he has displayed some responsibility and trust," Martin said.
"And I'm enjoying every bit of it," Smith added. "One thing about me; I don't give up. At least I can wake up in the morning and I don't have to worry about headaches or hangovers. If I have a problem, I can always call someone."
Older persons interested in the Experience Works program can contact Martin at (563) 324-0941.
The city desk can be contacted at (563) 383-2245 or newsroom@qctimes.com.