Grassroots Central Mass pays tribute to our beloved friend Sarah Heller

Sarah Heller, left, with Jeana and Lynne at the Climate Cafe. By Jeana Edmonds On March 12, 2025 members of Grassroots Central Mass and friends gathered at 6 p.m. on the Brookfield Common to honor and bid farewell to our dear companion Sarah Heller. Sarah was absolutely central to the founding and development of Grassroots Central Mass. She was one of the original members of Brookfield Indivisible back in 2017 when we were first hit by the horrors of the 45th president. Sarah often hosted in her home the meetings of Brookfield Indivisible and shared her commitment to making this…

Thank you, Jamie Raskin, and thank you, IMC

By Regina Edmonds Many of us in Grassroots Central Mass were really excited when we learned that Indivisible Mass Coalition (IMC) would be hosting Representative Jamie Raskin on their Statewide Call on August 27, 2024. And we were even more fired up when we learned that our own Grassroots Central Mass colleague and IMC Board member from CD-1, Karen Nothe-Valley, would be one of the three chat monitors on the call. In this role Karen and the other monitors fielded questions placed in the chat, organized the questions seen there into themes, and related the questions to elements of the…

‘Stick your neck out’

Grassroots Central Mass member Colin Brown joined the podcast "Be the Change," to discuss his activism with the group to support progressive candidates, promote government transparency, and work for climate justice. Hear about his inspiration, aspiration, and advice for young people beginning their activism. Listen to the podcast. Thanks for being a voice for change, Colin!

Patricia O’Connor organizes Oakham DTC

Patricia O'Connor serves on the leadership committees of Brookfields Fight Fear and Grassroots Central Mass, and is on the Coordinating Board of Indivisible Mass Coalition, representing Congressional District 2. She is chair of the newly established Oakham Democratic Town Committee.

Welcome new member Colin R Brown

From Hardwick, Mass., Colin, 18, is a senior in high school and a state leader for Teens 4 Change. He is an advocate and activist for climate action, climate justice, education, and common sense gun laws.   

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.

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.

Danielle Kane elected to School Committee

Danielle is a 20-year resident of Brookfield, a former member of the Brookfield Local Access Committee, chair of the Brookfield Democratic Town Committee, and a founding member of Grassroots Central Mass.