September 23, 2016
Honorable Mayor James Donchess
City of Nashua
Main Street
Nashua, NH 03060
Dear Mayor Donchess,
We are writing to you as co-chairs of the One Greater Nashua Coalition. Our coalition includes over 120 greater Nashua
residents with 40 active volunteers and more than a dozen anchor organizations that share your value for our city’s
growing diversity. Members of our coalition represent residents from all walks of life including long-term residents,
business owners and established community leaders. With funding from the Endowment for Health and NH Charitable
Foundation, we have formed a three-year plan to increase social inclusion and integration for all people in our
community that feel isolated and disconnected including new comers. Through this work we expect to increase
Nashua’s economic vitality and improve long term health outcomes for our community.
One Greater Nashua was formed about 1% years ago. At the end of our first year, we were proud to report that our
efforts resulted in mobilizing over 40 active volunteers that contributed over 5,676 hours to our city. *
As you well know, our current demographic trends compel us as a community to ensure that all students in our school
district achieve their highest potential. As baby boomers retire, we will be challenged to find millennials to take their
place. Data demonstrates New Hampshire among the states with the oldest and least diverse population. This is not a
sustainable trend. While we are among the states most challenged by an aging population, it is clearly a national
problem. Economist Ken Johnson of UNH’s recent research highlights that there have not been enough millennials born
in the US to replace the retiring baby boomers. Furthermore, millennial lifestyle choices indicate a preference for
multicultural communities with a diverse and welcoming attitude. | believe you heard this message clearly stated from
NH millennials at the state welcoming week conference in Manchester last week. We will have to work hard as a city to
maintain a strong enough workforce to retain the businesses we already have as well as stimulate growth. Every person
that lives in our community is an asset we cannot afford to overlook.
Our volunteers are working with the ELL middle and high schoo! students to empower and inspire our students from
diverse cultural backgrounds to feel and understand that our community values their potential and is willing to help
them break down any social barriers that may hold them back. The Nashua School District Ell Department and the Boys
and Girls Club are helping to anchor this work. Social barriers to health are clearly named in the Community Needs
Assessment and people of color are disproportionately affected. Feeling welcome and included in the community is an
important factor that can impact long term health outcomes as well as academic success and future economic mobility.
