Meet Odessa

Delivering Results for Our Community

I would like to serve as a voice of concern and change for every person in our town. I would bring integrity and the willingness to act and engage with respect and in the service of all. For more than a decade, I have been an active volunteer and advocate in Wellesley for housing, youth, education, and women’s empowerment.

What I bring to the table is a diverse voice and the unique ability to be passionate about the ideas and causes I believe in, while educating myself through listening to different points of view with compassion.

Professionally, I have worked as a Biomedical laboratory technician and studied journalism at Mass Bay Community College, and now I currently work enriching the lives of children, ages 3- 18 as a teacher's aide and cheer coach.

As a volunteer, I have a several roles that I have been proud to have held, but currently I am a member of St.John/ St. Paul Collaborative Council, a Wellesley Housing Authority Commissioner, a Precinct E Town Meeting Member, a member of the Town's first D.E.I. Taskforce, a Historical Commission Alternate, and an appointee of the Metro West Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women.

I grew up in Newton, where the seeds of leadership, teamwork, and community service were planted. I graduated from Newton South as senior class president, vice president and co-founder of the Black Student Union.

I moved to Wellesley 15 years ago with my young family. We found Wellesley to be a welcoming and friendly community. I have held volunteer and elected positions in the schools: Fiske PTO secretary, WMS PTO dance chair, WHS PTSO hospitality committee, and WHS school council parent-elect.

Rebooting the cheerleading program at WHS is something I'm very proud of. Under my leadership, cheerleading has evolved from a small school club to a co-ed varsity letter sport in WHS’s athletic program - and the most diverse athletic team in Wellesley.

Family, Community, Civil Service, and Equity, are all things that I care about deeply. Engaging in important dialogues, our town can truly become the Wellesley we envision. Let’s make a positive difference in our neighborhoods, town, and nation.

I would be honored to serve you and our town as your select board representative.

Odessa Sanchez

ODESSA'S PRIORITIES

Financial Common Sense

One of the big responsibilities of the Select Board is to oversee the town budget. I would bring financial common sense to balancing the budget, understanding the compromises we need to make today to secure a strong financial future for Wellesley. I am concerned about how the pandemic has brought about financial hardship in our town. On the Select Board, I would like to see a long term capital budget that uses fiscal discipline and looks at the long term consequences of our spending today. I am prepared to research and review practical options to work with our current town budget and be certain to consider the financial impact on our residents.

Environmentally Safe and Sustainable Communities

Wellesley's commitment to support sustainable communities is a priority I will work to advance through dialogue and engagement with the departments of Sustainable Energy Committee and the Wellesley Municipal Department. I am committed to identify ways we can test or enhance current proposals; as well as taking advantage of the wealth of knowledge regarding emerging trends or research that can move Wellesley toward being more environmental sustainable.

I want to also work to ensure that the models and processes that are designed and implemented are not financially prohibitive and that all Wellesley families from all walks of life are able to implement environmentally sustainable practices.

Support Small Businesses

In the wake of COVID-19, Wellesley small businesses have stepped up and demonstrated how interconnected many of them our to our families, and how essential their businesses are to supporting our community. Unfortunately, the pandemic has also forced the closure of small businesses that could not sustain the uncertainty. It was sad to see the situation caused some local establishments to close and that impact is still being felt. As a Select Boad member, I will work to find creative solutions to support small businesses to be able to stay and thrive in our town. I will also work with local businesses to create more expansive approaches to prominently feature our businesses during large scale events like the Boston Marathon, or other town events.

Housing Equity and Community Input

I am a 15 year public housing resident of Wellesley. I have a tremendous amount of respect for those who rent and own in this town. All of our neighbors deserve the right to access affordable and safe housing opportunities. If elected, I will advocate for increased engagement from all communities, promote increased access to information and increased opportunities for families to participate in short, intermediate or long-term housing discussions.

Strengthen Ties With Seniors

Wellesley's " age strong" residents are a vital part of the fabric of our town. Far too often their concerns are not prioritized. As a Select Board member, I would provide more opportunities for seniors citizens to engage fully in all aspects of our town. I would advocate for increased human interaction whether online through "Virtual Visits" that are mutually beneficial, or in-person POOL tournaments at the COA, and work with seniors to ensure they have authentic ways to engage with one another and all- age members of the communities throughout Wellesley.