Karen Nothe-Valley re-elected to IMC board

I am a member of the Grassroots Central Mass (GCM) leadership team, chair for my hometown Democratic Town Committee (Monson) and a board member for Indivisible Mass Coalition (IMC) representing CD-1. As a member of GCM, we work collaboratively to help drive better policy at all levels of government. As a DTC chair, I inspire members to recruit great candidates for local office or step up and run themselves, help others run, pay attention to municipal government activities in town, become poll workers, or serve in appointed positions. As an IMC board member, I help connect local Indivisible groups with resources and support what they need from the statewide organization.

Ongoing Initiatives

We remain involved in writing letters and postcards in support of candidates on all levels of government and in support of legislation that moves our nation, state, and local communities toward greater economic, climate, racial, and social justice. We remain deeply concerned about climate change and environmental degradation and this has prompted us to remain active in planning events focused on the environment, planting trees, following climate-related legislation, and working to encourage big banks to divest from funding fossil fuel projects. We also are partnering with others to encourage regional police departments to hire mental health workers to assist them in their work, especially when mental health concerns or addiction struggles are central. We continue advocating for the rights of immigrants and will begin work again on getting the Safe Communities bill passed in Massachusetts. Uplifting initiatives that  increase diversity in our schools, uphold the rights of our BIPOC and LGBTQ+ neighbors is also a priority. Finding ways to bring full equality for all is our guiding light.

Rally to Secure and Protect Democracy

Saturday, January 7, 2023Noon-2 p.m.West Brookfield Common Today marks two years since our former president and his conspirators attempted a coup on our nation to thwart our democratic process and disrupted official Congressional proceedings with the intent to stop a peaceful transition of power. Grassroots Central Mass and Brookfields Fight Fear are jointly planning this rally to once again highlight how precious our democracy is and to recall how close we came to losing it on January 6, 2021. Sen. Anne Gobi and Governor's Councilor Paul DePalo will be there along with representatives of the Indivisible Mass Coalition. All around…

Supporting Progressive Candidates and Legislation

Another goal of Grassroots Central Mass members is to support candidates for local, state, and federal elections who advocate progressive policies. We also study bills in the Massachusetts legislature and participate in public hearings on these bills and webinars that help inform us about their details.
<strong>Gifting Books to Local Libraries</strong>

Gifting Books to Local Libraries

Increasing awareness of climate change and the unique elements of our New England landscape prompted us to contact librarians in our surrounding towns to see if they would like more books on topics related to the environment.

Jasmin Rivas wins seat on Town Council

Jasmin Rivas was elected to the Southbridge Town Council in June of 2022. As a Puerto Rican- American, who grew up in a working class home, she ran to uplift the voices of residents from neighborhoods and communities that get pushed to the margins. She is the chair of the Southbridge Democratic Town Committee and and has served as the former chair of the Community Health Network Area 5, as well as a former board member of the Tri-Community YMCA. She currently sits on the board of New Hope Inc. and is a member of the Southbridge Community Connections Steering Committee. 

Eric von Bleicken joins Select Board

Eric von Bleicken is the newest elected member of West Brookfield's Select Board. He is the founder of another politically active local group, Brookfields Fight Fear. Eric is a member of Indivisible Mass Coalition, chair of the West Brookfield Democratic Town Committee, as well as a proud member of Grassroots Central Mass where he serves on the Racial and Social Justice Committee and as a liaison to his other groups.

Our Earth Day Celebrations

Starting in 2021 we went into the great outdoors to host our Trees Are Treasures events. These family-friendly events feature trail walks with costumed interpreters along the way explaining fascinating aspects of the habitat.