Nashua Area
Interfaith Council
o
PO Box 209 « Nashua, NH * 03061-0209
www.nashuainterfaith.org
September 11, 2016
To: Jim Donchess, Mayor, City of Nashua
To: Board of Aldermen, City of Nashua
Dear Mayor and Aldermen:
The Executive Board of Nashua Area Interfaith Council (NAIC), on behalf of the entire Council, would
like to express our wholehearted support for the legislation declaring Nashua a Welcoming City. As an
organization we strive to improve: community relationships, outreach to those in need and a dialogue of
respectful welcoming among the faith communities we serve. We also recognize that when a
community is inclusive, not only will its residents’ lives improve but that the social, and economic life
of the larger community is also enriched. It seems more than appropriate to write this letter of support
on the 15" Anniversary of 9/11.
This legislative act is more than ornamental to the lives of people in Nashua. As our partners at United
Way have also affirmed, research has shown that 40% of the health outcomes for an individual are based
on factors related to social inclusion. When people are not isolated, they are less likely to need
emergency or other costly medical services. As a result, both the individual and the community benefit
absent the burden for those costly services.
Other research centers around economic development; demonstrating that immigrants bring needed
skills and job creation to our community. In fact, the foundation of what Nashua is today was built by
immigrants and in order to sustain growth into the future we will continue to need to welcome and
effectively include immigrants in our community.
Since the 1980’s NAIC has represented a collective effort to improve our community through
partnerships and coalitions. We also have established efforts that support people in need, such as: Ann
Marie House, the Greater Nashua CROP Walk and most recently, Circles Greater Nashua. Therefore,
we embrace this legislation as the next step in affirming what is good about our history and common life
and we encourage you to pass it with your fullest possible support.
Respectfully submitted and unanimously agreed to by the Executive Board and entire membership of the
Nashua Area Interfaith Council.
The Rev. Alanna M. Van Antwerpen The Rev. Sally Newhall
NAIC President Vice President
