Renee Spencer
Background and education
I have lived in Wellesley for over 35 years. I have been advocating for public housing residents for over 30 years. I started by being elected to the Barton Road tenants association as president. As president, I organized programs for children and families. Presently I am a member of the League of Woman Voters, Town Meeting Member, board member on Wellesley Friendly Aid, board member on Mass Union Public Housing Tenants, and board member on Wellesley Housing Authority. I have worked in long-term healthcare for 12 years. In my 40s, I went back to school, attending MassBay Community College, social work program; attending Regis College social work program; and Framingham State College, sociology program. I have three children who graduated from Wellesley schools, three grandchildren who graduated from Wellesley schools; and currently have five grandchildren attending Wellesley public schools.
Odessa Sanchez
Background and experience
I live in Wellesley Housing and have advocated here every day for the last 12 years.
Before Wellesley, I lived in Norwood Housing (1998-2008), where I was a five-year Tenant Association Vice President. In Wellesley, I was vice president of Tenant Association (2018). I have experience working with residents, management, and maintenance staff; attending board meetings; building community relationships; positively presenting my ideas and suggestions for improving residential life; and knowledge of state guidelines. Through my daily life, I work as a teacher and coach so I m comfortable engaging with residents and many trust me as a neighborhood resource.