“We are the state’s most diverse community, a city built by waves of immigrants. We also take enormous pride in being the state’s most inclusive city, and we value every Nashuan, whether
she or he is a long-time resident or a foreign-born newcomer to our city.”
~ Mayor Jim Donchess
Jim’s initiatives to promote Nashua’s character of inclusion include:
- Together with the Board of Aldermen, the designation of Nashua as a Welcoming City, an initiative aimed at uniting the entire community in fostering an inclusive civic environment in which all Nashuans, regardless of race, ethnicity, or place of origin, are welcome, integrated, and thrive.
- In 2022, Welcoming America, a national nonprofit organization, announced that Nashua has achieved the designation as a Certified Welcoming place. Nashua, together with Portland, Maine, are the first two cities in New England to become Certified Welcoming. Key to this designation is Nashua’s long history of investment in and the city’s support of language access services.
- In the tight FY20 budget year, Jim’s proposal for the city to employ new ELL teachers to work with and teach Nashua’s English language learning school children.
- The establishment of the annual Nashua Pride Festival and Parade to promote Nashua’s culture of equality and inclusion and to joyously celebrate Nashua’s LGBTQ community.
