Ocewana E. Baker

I believe that every immigrant who joins us in Hagerstown through legal and proper channels deserves the opportunity to pursue the American Dream. In our city, approximately 7–8% of residents were born outside the United States—translating to thousands of neighbors who enrich our community through their cultures, their work, and their dreams (24/7 Wall St., Zip Atlas).

That’s why I will work hand-in-hand with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to create a tailored program that helps more individuals pursue citizenship or asylum. By offering support with documentation, navigating legal processes, and community integration, we can ensure more of our neighbors have the stability and opportunity they deserve. Together, we will make Hagerstown a welcoming place where dreams can take root and flourish.

I will always stand up for human rights, especially the rights of the LGBTQ+ community. Every person deserves the freedom to live authentically, love who they love, and be treated with dignity and respect. Discrimination in any form has no place in our society. I will work to ensure equal protections under the law, fight against hate and injustice, and create a community where everyone—regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity—can feel safe, valued, and free to be themselves.

While precise data for Hagerstown isn't published, statewide figures show that approximately 5.7% of Maryland residents identify as LGBTQ+—one of the highest rates in the nation Wikipedia. In our broader Baltimore–Columbia–Towson metropolitan area, the figure is about 5.2% Wikipedia. Based on this, it’s reasonable to infer that a similar share—around 5% of Hagerstown's adult residents—are part of the LGBTQ+ community."

I will work in close partnership with the Mayor of Hagerstown and the Chief of Police to develop a comprehensive, well-considered strategic plan to combat our city’s drug crisis. Washington County and Hagerstown’s overdose rate remains alarmingly high—though it has seen some recent improvement, with 93 fatal overdoses in 2023 (down from 114 in 2022), it still places the county among the top five in Maryland when adjusted for population.Radio Free Hub City

Our goal is bold yet achievable: reduce fentanyl- and opioid-related overdose deaths by at least 20% over the next year. We’ll pursue this through a multi-faceted approach, including:

• Expanding access to naloxone (Narcan) and life-saving overdose reversal services—over 10,400 doses were already distributed from July 2022 to June 2023, and health officials responded to nearly 1,400 overdose incidents in that period.Maryland Addiction Recovery Center
• Strengthening our local crisis response infrastructure, such as leveraging the newly established crisis stabilization unit at Meritus Medical Center to bypass the emergency department and deliver immediate care.hagerstown.usmd.edu
• Launching robust, youth-targeted prevention and education initiatives in schools—already underway through programs like “Too Good for Drugs,” which engage thousands of students with substance-use awareness and decision-making tools.hagerstown.usmd.edu
• Enhancing community outreach and education around emerging threats like xylazine (“tranq”), which is increasingly found in the drug supply and poses serious health risks, including severe wounds that naloxone cannot reverse.hagerstown.usmd.edu

Together, this data-driven plan will harness collaboration, compassion, and community engagement to deliver meaningful, measurable progress—making Hagerstown safer and healthier for everyone."

Homelessness in Hagerstown affects more people than many realize. While the official count suggests roughly 0.13% of our residents—about 50 to 60 people—are homeless at any given time, the reality is far more complex. In just one shelter season, over 213 individuals spent more than 6,600 nights in our shelters, and 254 families were helped to avoid eviction. Even more alarming, 744 students in our schools have faced housing instability in recent years.

This is not just a housing crisis—it’s a community challenge that demands action. I am committed to working with local businesses, nonprofit organizations, and community leaders to repurpose vacant buildings across our city into safe, dignified shelters. These spaces will provide more than a bed—they will offer access to services, job opportunities, and pathways to stability. Together, we can ensure that no one in Hagerstown is left without a place to call home

Overview:
Transportation barriers often prevent individuals struggling with substance use disorders from accessing essential services like treatment centers, support groups, medical appointments, and employment. Limited or unreliable public transit options increase the risk of relapse and hinder recovery efforts. To address this, I propose a community-driven rideshare initiative tailored to the needs of this vulnerable population.

Goals:

• Ensure safe, reliable, and affordable transportation for individuals in recovery or treatment.
• Reduce relapse rates by improving access to supportive services and employment.
• Strengthen partnerships between nonprofits, healthcare providers, and local government.

Key Components:

1. Partnership Development:

• Collaborate with local nonprofits, addiction treatment centers, and healthcare providers to identify individuals in need of transportation assistance.
• Partner with ride-sharing companies, volunteer driver programs, and community organizations to establish a fleet of drivers dedicated to this cause.

1. Transportation Coordination Hub:

• Set up a centralized coordination center (could be virtual or physical) to schedule rides, match riders with drivers, and monitor service quality.
• Utilize technology such as mobile apps or dedicated phone lines for easy ride requests.

1. Funding & Sustainability:

• Seek grants and funding from state and federal programs focused on addiction recovery and community health.
• Encourage local businesses and philanthropists to support through sponsorships or donations.
• Explore cost-sharing models to maintain affordability for riders.

1. Safety & Training:

• Provide training for volunteer and professional drivers on the specific needs and sensitivities of individuals in recovery.
• Establish protocols to ensure rider safety, confidentiality, and dignity.

1. Outcome Tracking & Improvement:

• Implement data tracking to monitor ride usage, outcomes such as treatment attendance, and relapse rates.
• Use feedback from riders and partners to continuously improve the program.e safe, consistent transportation options that help keep them on the path to recovery and rebuild their lives."

Overview:
Transportation barriers often prevent individuals struggling with substance use disorders from accessing essential services like treatment centers, support groups, medical appointments, and employment. Limited or unreliable public transit options increase the risk of relapse and hinder recovery efforts. To address this, I propose a community-driven rideshare initiative tailored to the needs of this vulnerable population.

Goals:

• Ensure safe, reliable, and affordable transportation for individuals in recovery or treatment.
• Reduce relapse rates by improving access to supportive services and employment.
• Strengthen partnerships between nonprofits, healthcare providers, and local government.

Key Components:

1. Partnership Development:

• Collaborate with local nonprofits, addiction treatment centers, and healthcare providers to identify individuals in need of transportation assistance.
• Partner with ride-sharing companies, volunteer driver programs, and community organizations to establish a fleet of drivers dedicated to this cause.

1. Transportation Coordination Hub:

• Set up a centralized coordination center (could be virtual or physical) to schedule rides, match riders with drivers, and monitor service quality.
• Utilize technology such as mobile apps or dedicated phone lines for easy ride requests.

1. Funding & Sustainability:

• Seek grants and funding from state and federal programs focused on addiction recovery and community health.
• Encourage local businesses and philanthropists to support through sponsorships or donations.
• Explore cost-sharing models to maintain affordability for riders.

1. Safety & Training:

• Provide training for volunteer and professional drivers on the specific needs and sensitivities of individuals in recovery.
• Establish protocols to ensure rider safety, confidentiality, and dignity.

1. Outcome Tracking & Improvement:

• Implement data tracking to monitor ride usage, outcomes such as treatment attendance, and relapse rates.
• Use feedback from riders and partners to continuously improve the program.

If elected as State Delegate, my foremost goal is to wholeheartedly support and stand up for the community of Hagerstown — a place I was born and raised in and hold close to my heart. I deeply adore this town, its people, and its unique spirit. Having grown up here, I understand the challenges we face and the incredible potential we have. My commitment is to protect our neighborhoods, advocate for resources and opportunities that help families thrive, and amplify the voices of every resident — ensuring no one is overlooked or left behind.

I will work tirelessly to build a stronger, safer, and more prosperous Hagerstown, focusing on improving education, creating jobs, addressing public safety, and fostering inclusive policies that honor our diversity. This community has given me so much, and as your delegate, I will dedicate myself to giving back by fighting for the values and future we all share.