Our Community

Its Needs

Squamscott Community Commons was originally established in 1998 as a 501c3 charitable organization called "Court Street Common." The vision that has held in place from the beginning was to create a central location where area nonprofit organizations could be housed, along with the construction of a new YMCA family-based facility to serve the region.

An EASI study shows the following 2004 demographics of the groups’ extensive service area:

1 mile radius – 6,971 residents, 2,971 households
5 mile radius – 33,979 residents, 12,864 households
7 mile radius – 55,317 residents, 21,492 households

Although a variety of organizations are trying to implement the priorities of serving youth and their families, the delivery of these programs is difficult without adequate space. The community is often unaware of these splintered yet meaningful efforts. Additional research conducted in 2004-05 (including a Community Needs Assessment through the Y-USA) brought to light the changing demographics and “aging” of the region and the increased need for senior services. Community needs pinpointed were:

Additional youth and teen activities needed: the problems of substance abuse, negative behavior, need for after school activities and keeping kids engaged in the community
A lack of family-oriented programs in the area
A generation gap: no facility in area where people of all ages can co-mingle
A need for affordable family-based fitness programs to combat the rising rates of obesity and related health conditions
Need for expanded nutrition, food delivery and meal programs for seniors and families
Lack of sufficient and affordable infant, child and after school care
A need for additional services for seniors, including transportation, adult day services, care coordination and support
Area nonprofits are in need of affordable, accessible and appealing space to meet individual agencies missions
Lack of community meeting space in the area for meetings, programs and events
Need for a community “living room” or gathering place, and a central location for community calendars and resource information
Increased coordination and access needed for mental and physical health services for the no and low-insured

We have scoured the area for a good location, have considered over 20 sites, and have tried to secure properties on Court Street, Continental Drive and Chestnut Street in Exeter. The site on Linden Street where the old junior high “Annex” sits is by far the best location to date. The agency changed the name in 2005 to move away from the original site-specific name, and to enhance an identity of being a true community center.

Supporting Data

Rockingham County population as of 2000 US Census is 277,359.
72% of all county population growth in 2000-03 was people aged 55 and older.
The highest population growth rate in the region 2005-15 will be ages 65+ with an 80% surge.
The elderly county population has grown to 33,048 in 2005. Nursing homes have not grown.
10% of adults in the county aged 25 years+ have less than 12 years of education.
Over 50% adults in the county are overweight or obese.
9% of children in Rockingham County live in single-parent home.
18% of children in the county under age 18 who live with a single mother live in poverty.
60% children in Rockingham County under age 6 have both parents working.
Approximately 12% of Exeter public school students receive special education services.
25% of Seacoast School of Technology students receive special education services.
Estimated cumulative rate of grade 9-12 drop out from Exeter AREA High School is 10%.
18% of NH students seriously considered attempting suicide during the past 12 months.
47% of NH high school students had at least one drink of alcohol or more in the past 30 days.
11% of NH high school students tried marijuana for the first time before age 13.
24% of NH 9th graders say they have had sexual intercourse: 4% had sexual intercourse for the first time prior to age 13.

Data sources: Community Survey of Priorities, Assets and Needs, United Way of the Greater Seacoast, 2004; Exeter Health Resources Community Benefits Report 2004; Rockingham Economic Development Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) report, 2005; Rockingham Planning Commission data; EASI Demographics Report; US Census 2000; NH Dept. Education Youth Risk Survey 2003; the NH Office of Energy and Planning