United Ze
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United Way
of Greater Nashua
September 14, 2016
To: Jim Donchess, Mayor, City of Nashua
To: Board of Aldermen, City of Nashua
Dear Mayor and Aldermen:
United Way of Greater Nashua would like to express our wholehearted support for the
legislation declaring Nashua a Welcoming City. As an organization, we strive to improve the
health, education, and economic well-being of the people living in the communities we serve
and we recognize that when a community is welcoming and inclusive, then its residents’ lives
will improve.
This is more than feel-good legislation. 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 1930 United Way has represented a collective effort to improve our community through
partnerships and coalitions. Therefore, we embrace this legislation as an additional and
important step and encourage you to pass it with your fullest possible support.
Respectfully submitted and unanimously agreed to by the Board of Directors, United Way of
Greater Nashua.
Susan McHugh, Board Chairperson Michael Aofelberg, President
