Youth sports participation recovered to 55.4% in 2023, the highest rate since before COVID, with 65% of kids trying sports at least once in 2024.
Average family spending jumped 46% since 2019 to $1,016 annually, twice the rate of overall U.S. inflation during the same period.
The participation gap between low-income and high-income households widened from 13.6 percentage points in 2012 to 20.2 points in 2024.
Flag football grew 14% in regular youth participation from 2019 to 2024, the only team sport tracked to show growth during that period.
Fourteen states reached the federal government’s 63% participation target, with Vermont leading at 72% and Nevada trailing at 43%.
The Aspen Institute’s State of Play 2025 report delivers a clear message: youth sports bounced back from the pandemic, but the rebound masks growing fractures in access, affordability, and equity across the $54 billion industry.
Released annually by the Sports & Society Program’s Project Play initiative, the report draws from federal data, industry surveys, and parent research to analyze how well children are being served by the adults building youth sports programs. The 2025 findings reveal an ecosystem experiencing record participation alongside record costs, with implications that will shape the market through 2030 and beyond.
Post-Pandemic Rebound Defies Historical Precedent
According to the National Survey of Children’s Health, 55.4% of youth ages 6-17 played organized sports in 2023, up from 53.8% in 2022. Industry data from the Sports & Fitness Industry Association shows even stronger momentum in 2024, with 65% of kids trying sports at least once during the year.
The recovery matters because it didn’t have to happen. After the 2009 recession, participation rates fell and never returned to pre-recession levels. Municipal budgets got cut, local recreation programs suffered, and private sport providers flourished while leaving many kids behind.
This time, casual participation surged. Sixty-five percent of youth ages 6-17 tried sports at least once in 2024, up from 59% in 2021 and the highest rate recorded by SFIA since at least 2012. The shift reflects how pro leagues and operators adapted post-COVID to offer more informal, lower-commitment options. The NFL’s investment in flag football through RCX Sports exemplifies this trend.
“The rebound in participation since the pandemic is a credit to all who have innovated to improve access to quality sport programs,” said Tom Farrey, executive director of the Sports & Society Program. “But we’re going to need leadership to ensure that as more money flows into the space, the needs of children, all children, are prioritized.”
The Cost Crisis Intensifies
The average U.S. sports family spent $1,016 on their child’s primary sport in 2024, a 46% increase since 2019. That’s twice the rate of price inflation in the broader economy during the same period.
Higher team registration fees, travel costs for non-local competition, and spending on camps and private instruction all contributed to the increase. Baseball emerged as the most expensive of the three most popular sports, costing more on average than soccer or basketball.
The timing adds complexity. The report’s data came before President Trump’s tariffs and the federal government shutdown, both of which could further impact family budgets. In 2024, $6.27 billion worth of sporting goods imported into the U.S. came from China, accounting for 61% of these imports.
After the 2017 tariffs, physical inactivity rates for households earning less than $25,000 jumped from 45% to 47% in one year, according to SFIA. The organization’s CEO, Todd Smith, told ESPN that the increase was directly related to tariffs. “We, as an industry, sports and fitness offer a free remedy to try and minimize healthcare costs,” Smith said, “so why would we create more barriers to accessibility and entry into activities?”
Children are noticing the burden too. Project Play’s community surveys show more kids citing “too expensive” as what they dislike most about sports. One student told The New York Times his family paid $500 to $700 per month for his team. “A lot of time I would feel pressure to make sure I do well because it costs so much money and if I played badly my parents would be disappointed.”
Participation Gap Widens Along Income Lines
In 2012, 35.5% of kids ages 6-17 from homes earning under $25,000 regularly played sports compared to 49.1% from homes earning $100,000 or more, a difference of 13.6 percentage points. By 2024, that gap had widened to 20.2 percentage points.
Federal data tells a similar story. Children from the lowest-income homes played sports in 2023 at half the rate of those from the highest-income group.
The Aspen Institute’s parent survey found that children from the wealthiest households play their primary sport more frequently than their peers across community settings, schools, travel teams, and independent training. Kids from homes earning $100,000 or more are two times more likely to play travel sports than those from homes making under $50,000.
The one exception is free play, where the pattern reverses. Children from the lowest-income homes and those in urban environments engage in unstructured play more than the wealthiest children and those living in the suburbs.
Flag Football Outpaces All Team Sports
From 2019 to 2024, flag football was the only team sport tracked by SFIA that experienced growth in regular participation among kids ages 6-17. Flag grew 14% while baseball dropped 19%, tackle football fell 7%, soccer declined 3%, and basketball slipped 2%.
Among kids ages 6-12, flag surpassed tackle as the most commonly played form of football in 2017. The gap continues to widen, with 4% playing flag in 2024 versus 2.7% playing tackle. Among teenagers 13-17, tackle (6.4%) still significantly outpaces flag (2.8%).
NFL FLAG now serves more than 620,000 youth ages 4-17 across 50 states. Twenty-eight states either sanction girls’ high school flag football or are running pilot programs. In October, the NFL announced plans to launch professional women’s and men’s flag leagues ahead of the sport’s debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
The sport’s rise is affecting soccer participation. In 2012, soccer exceeded flag by 6.4 percentage points among kids ages 6-12. By 2024, soccer’s advantage had shrunk to 3.5 percentage points, a shift that has some soccer leaders concerned about losing would-be players to flag.
Latino Youth Drive Fastest Demographic Growth
For years, Latino youth played sports at lower rates than their peers. That changed recently based on SFIA data. In 2024, 65% of Latino youth ages 6-17 tried sports at least once, a higher rate than Black and White youth.
Participation among Latina girls rose from 39.5% in 2019 to 48.4% in 2024, outpacing the growth of their non-Latina peers, according to McKinsey Institute research. The increase is attributed to greater representation of Latinas in college and pro sports, along with targeted programs from organizations like ELLA Sports Foundation, Girls on the Run, Sports 4 Life, and the Women’s Sports Foundation.
“When young girls feel represented, they are empowered to dream and to succeed in life,” said Patty Godoy, co-founder of ELLA Sports Foundation. “This representation is inspiring and motivating for young Latinas to play sports and stay in sports.”
Challenges remain. Latino parents cite scheduling conflicts more than non-Latinos as a barrier. Research by McKinsey and U.S. Soccer Federation found that Latino and Black children are three times more likely than White children to stop playing soccer because they feel unwelcome.
The report also documents impacts from immigration enforcement. A Stanford University study found that recent raids in California’s Central Valley coincided with a 22% increase in daily student absences. Media accounts from 2025 describe decreased attendance across summer sports programs in parts of Los Angeles after raids, and the Oregon Youth Soccer Association reported that as many as 16 teams withdrew from Portland competition after people reported ICE activity in community parks.
Coaching Training Reaches One Million
The Million Coaches Challenge reached a milestone in 2025 when its cohort of partners trained one million youth coaches across the U.S. in evidence-based youth development practices. Research shows that 93% of coaches trained by the program feel more confident in their ability to support youth, and their athletes report more joy, stronger relationships, and higher likelihood to continue playing.
The U.S. Tennis Association introduced a comprehensive coaching platform in 2025 that offers four membership tiers ranging from free to $249 annually. Benefits include equipment discounts from 20% to 50%, liability insurance, telehealth access, career counseling, and flexible education modules that coaches can complete in 20-minute sessions.
“Research shows that people aren’t attracted to coaching as a career anymore, and we need to change that,” said Craig Morris, USTA Coaching CEO. “We need to work with facility owners and operators to put value on coaches who are educated and have a growth mindset.”
Strategic Implications for Operators
The report identifies several trends that will define the youth sports landscape through 2026 and beyond. NIL deals are trickling down to middle school athletes, with one eighth-grader in Washington D.C. signing sponsorship deals and hiring an agent. AI-powered analytics platforms are reaching younger age groups, with some organizations offering video analysis and performance tracking for 8- and 9-year-olds at costs around $300 annually.
Fourteen states reached the federal government’s 63% participation target in 2023. Achieving that goal nationwide by 2030 could save the U.S. $80 billion in direct medical costs and productivity losses while delivering over 1.8 million more quality years of life to Americans, according to a study published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.
Illinois created the nation’s first statewide youth sports commission in 2025, focused on quality, access, and equity. California is studying whether to establish a Department of Youth Sports. The Children’s Bill of Rights in Sports gained endorsements from the U.S. Conference of Mayors, National League of Cities, and National Recreation and Park Association.
The data shows an industry at a crossroads. Participation is up, but so are costs and inequities. How operators, municipalities, brands, and policymakers respond to these tensions will determine whether youth sports becomes more accessible or more exclusive in the years ahead.
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Are you a brand looking to tap into the world’s most passionate fanbase… youth sports?
Introducing Play Up Partners, a leading youth sports marketing agency connecting brands with the power of youth sports. We specialize in youth sports sponsorships, partnerships, and activations that drive measurable results.
About Play Up Partners
Play Up Partners is a leading youth sports marketing agency connecting brands with the power of youth sports. We specialize in youth sports sponsorships, partnerships, and activations that drive measurable results.
Why Sponsor Youth Sports?
Youth sports represents one of the most engaged and passionate audiences in sports marketing. With over 70 million young athletes and their families participating annually, the youth sports industry offers brands unparalleled access to motivated communities with strong purchasing power and loyalty.
What Does Play Up Partners Do?
We’ve done the heavy lifting to untangle the complex youth sports landscape so our brand partners can engage with clarity, confidence, and impact. Our vetted network of accredited youth sports organizations (from local leagues to national tournaments and operators) allows us to create flexible, scalable programs that evolve with the market.
Our Approach
Every partnership we build is rooted in authenticity and value creation. We don’t just broker deals. We craft youth sports marketing strategies that:
Deliver measurable ROI for brand partners
Create meaningful experiences for athletes and families
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Our Vision
We’re positioning youth sports as the most desirable and effective platform in sports marketing. Our mission is simple: MAKE YOUTH SPORTS BETTER for athletes, families, organizations, and brand partners.
Common Questions About Youth Sports Marketing
Where can I sponsor youth sports?How do I activate in youth sports?What is the ROI of youth sports marketing?How much does youth sports sponsorship cost?
We have answers. Reach out to info@playuppartners.com to learn how Play Up Partners can help your brand navigate the youth sports landscape.
Youth sports organizations: Interested in partnership opportunities? Reach out to learn about our accreditation process.
AMARILLO, Texas (KFDA) – If you missed today’s interviews with Trevor Johnson, AISD Press Conference and Iron Plains Youth Football League on the Sports Drive, you can watch it all here.
Trevor Johnson, Randall Boys Basketball Head Coach:
Randall Raiders Boys Basketball Head Coach Trevor Johnson walks us through the emotions of the rivalry game against Canyon Tuesday night, leveling it up for district games, and more.
Sports Drive
AISD Sports Press Conference:
We hear from Amarillo High Girls Basketball Head Coach Jeff Williams, Tascosa Girls Basketball Head Coach Zac Tabor, Palo Duro Girls Basketball Head Coach AJ Johnson and Caprock Girls Basketball Head Coach Bill Long.
Sports DriveSports Drive
New in Town: Iron Plains Youth Football League
Zach Woodard talks to CJ Johnson, founder and president of the new Iron Plains Youth Football League along with VP Elijah Baccus about how the league was formed and what it means to the area.
HOUSTON – Down to six available players left in the fourth quarter, the University of Houston Women’s Basketball team fell in a tightly contested 71-62 loss against Kansas State inside the Fertitta Center on Wednesday evening.
Senior guard TK Pitts was Houston’s (6-9, 0-4 Big 12) only scorer in double figures, finishing with 16 points. Tess Heal led Kansas State (9-8, 2-2 Big 12) with 31 points.
Five players were disqualified in the fourth quarter, including four Cougars. Pitts, graduate forward Amirah Abdur-Rahim, graduate guard Briana Peguero and redshirt-senior guard Kyndall Hunter exited the game for Houston and Jenessa Cotton was the lone Wildcat who was ejected.
A game of runs saw both sides trade momentum in the opening period with Houston taking an early 9-8 lead. A 7-2 run gave Kansas State a lead in the period before the Cougars capped off the quarter with five-straight points to lead 16-15.
Houston produced two major runs in the second, ending the quarter with seven-consecutive makes at the free throw line to extend its lead to 37-26 at the half.
The Wildcats pieced together several runs to cut into the deficit before free throws from sophomore guard Shun’teria Anumele knotted up the score at 45-45 to end the third period.
The Cougars were leading 53-49 with 6:38 remaining in the fourth quarter before Abdur-Rahim, Pitts, Peguero, Hunter and Cotton were ejected due to an altercation. After review, Kansas State was awarded six free throws, converting all six to regain the lead and escape Fertitta Center with the victory.
UP NEXT
Houston welcomes BYU at 1 p.m., Saturday, for Youth Basketball Day. Fans can stick around for postgame autographs with senior guard TK Pitts.
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Fans can make a direct impact on the success of Houston Women’s Basketball by providing NIL opportunities, purchasing tickets and joining Full Court Press, which provides support directly to Houston Women’s Basketball for needs beyond its operating budget.
STAY CONNECTED
Fans can receive updates by following @UHCougarWBB on X, formerly known as Twitter, and catch up with the latest news and notes on the team by clicking LIKE on the team’s Facebook page at UHCougarWBB or on the team’s Instagram page at @UHCougarWBB.
As the new year begins at the Water Tower Recreation Center, the Water Tower Advisory Council wants to share with you the accomplishments of the past year and what to look forward to in 2026.
The big story of 2025 was the comprehensive improvements made to the exterior of the recreation center by the City of Philadelphia, through the Department of Parks & Recreation. This months–long project is the most extensive renovation to the recreation center in decades. The still ongoing project includes new windows and exterior doors, rebuilt steps, new railings, and improved exterior lighting. There is the repointing of stonework, the repair of terracotta tiles and cornice stones, replacing drainage boots, scupper boxes, and downspouts, and the repairing of area drains, replacing underground drainage pipes, and roof flashing. The project is currently paused due to winter weather, but it will resume early next year and is expected to be completed by next summer.
Another big story was the completion of the Advisory Council’s “Light Up the Tower” project. This is the first project from the Water Tower Master Plan and has transformed the upper park and the surrounding area. This is the first time the historic tower has been illuminated, and the distinctive lighting, as well as the extensive landscaping, installation of new gardens, rebuilt steps and pathways, new seating, the addition of a historic marker, new ballards, new area lights, and an entirely new paved path to the ball fields, have returned the park to its original glory. The World War II memorial has been completely restored, and new lighting has been added at its base. All of this was completed almost entirely with the ceaseless work of community volunteers and fundraising local contributions from generations of Philadelphians connected, past and present, with the recreation center. The park is now a must–see destination on a warm summer night.
The year 2025 was also a banner year for expanding the program offerings at the rec center and the continuation of popular existing programs. Current programs such as the after–school program, which has over 70 students, and the summer camp program, which is one of the most popular summer camp programs in the city, are continuing their success in 2026. The award–winning gymnastics program has added an additional preschool class for the new year and offers preschool, Beginner I, Beginner II and intermediate–plus classes. Program gymnasts compete in tournaments both inside and outside Philadelphia.
The Chestnut Hill Youth Sports Club will continue to host youth soccer, baseball, and basketball teams at the travel and intramural level. They also offer lacrosse, flag football, and futsal programs. New this year is an all–girls basketball league and a high school intramural basketball program, which draws players from across the city.
New Rec Center programming will include a youth–oriented film club, which will meet on Thursday evenings from 6 to 8 p.m. The program is for teens ages 14 through 18 and runs from Jan. 22 to March 12. There are only 10 openings available, so sign up now!
Perhaps the most exciting addition to the Water Tower in 2026 is the arrival of Philly Tutors, LLC. The Advisory Council is sponsoring Philly Tutors to provide various academic tutoring services at the recreation center. Their comprehensive programming includes homework help, scholastic game clubs, small group tutoring, and test prep classes. Their primary focus, though, is one–to–one tutoring sessions for students from the first to 12th grade. All their services are enrichment–rich, community–focused, and are available at family–friendly rates. The first SAT preparation class begins in early January. Contact Philly Tutors directly at 215–948–2225, or anita@phillytutors.com for details and registration.
The year 2025 also saw the start of Mt. Airy Learning Tree at the Water Tower, offering for the first time continuing education classes for both adults and older youth. MALT offers various classes from dancing to teen comic book creation to learning how to play pickleball. There are three sessions per year, winter, spring and fall, and a complete list of classes can be found in the MALT catalog or contact MALT directly at 215-843-6333 or at info@mtairylearningtree.org.
The big news for 2026 is the start of the second Master Plan project for the Water Tower. The Advisory Board has selected the complete renovation of the entire playground area at the Water Tower as the next project. A subcommittee of the Advisory Board was formed in November to lead the project. We have met with several city–approved vendors to obtain ideas for such a project, and there have been several visits to recently renovated playgrounds in Philadelphia and the suburbs to view various designs. This is a significantly larger and more complex project than the “Light Up the Tower” and will take longer to complete. We are looking for volunteers with fundraising experience, grant writing and research experience, and landscape and playground design experience, to assist the committee’s efforts. Who doesn’t love a great–looking playground for the neighborhood children! Our next meeting is Jan. 15 at 6 p.m. at the Water Tower, and we meet every other week, usually on Thursdays. Contact Craig Hosay at 610–564–2640 or craighosaylavallette@gmail.com if you want to help. We sure can use it!
All of the above efforts would not be possible without the support of the community and the help of our neighbors. The vision of the Advisory Council for the future of the recreation center is not possible without you. Thank you for all of your past support, and help us make 2026 even better than 2025 at the Water Tower.
Five University of South Carolina football players were named to the 2025 Academic All-District® Football Team as selected by College Sports Communicators (CSC), it was announced today. The award recognizes the nation’s top student-athletes for their combined performances on the field and in the classroom.
The quintet representing Gamecock Football include David Bucey, Nyck Harbor, Brady Hunt, William Joyce and Mason Love.
Bucey, a sophomore defensive back from Savannah, Ga., appeared in all 12 games in 2025 making one start. An environmental studies major, Bucey was credited with 14 tackles on the season including 10 solo stops. He also registered a blocked punt against South Carolina State.
Harbor, a junior wide receiver from Washington, D.C., is a public health major. He put together his best season in 2025, earning the Steve Spurrier MVP Award for the offense after catching 30 passes for a team-leading 618 yards and six touchdowns. His 20.6-yard average per reception ranks third in school history. He was also the Gamecocks’ representative on the SEC’s Community Service team.
Hunt owns a bachelor’s degree in finance and a master’s degree in sport and entertainment management, posting a perfect 4.0 GPA throughout his career. The redshirt senior tight end from Muncie, Ind., played in all 12 games in 2025 with seven starts. He was the Gamecocks’ top receiving tight end with 21 catches for 168 yards and added a pair of rushing touchdowns. Hunt was recognized by the coaches as one of three Outstanding Student-Athlete Award winners and shared the Nutrition Award with Nick Barrett.
Joyce, a redshirt senior placekicker from Spartanburg, S.C., earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering and a master’s degree in business administration during his five years in Columbia. He converted 12-of-15 field goal attempts and all 31 of his extra points for a team-leading 67 points in 2025 in his first season as the starter. Like Hunt, Joyce was recognized by the coaches as one of three Outstanding Student-Athlete Award winners and is a three-time recipient of the Harold White GPA Award for special teams.
Love is a sports media major from Riverside, Mo. He earned Freshman All-SEC honors as selected by the league’s 16 coaches after posting the nation’s second-best average for freshman punters at 45.1 yards. Love placed 16 punts inside the 20 with just four touchbacks, while 13 of his 53 punts traveled 50 or more yards with a long of 61.
For more information about CSC Academic All-District® and Academic All-America® Teams program, visit AcademicAllAmerica.com.
John Way, 72, rural Emporia, passed away unexpectedly at his home on Saturday, January 3, 2026.
John Lee Way was born June 27, 1953 in Pratt, Kansas, the son of Ellis and Catherine (Sandquist) Way. He married Janet Blaufuss on February 14, 1981 in Olpe, Kansas. She survives of the home. Also surviving is his sons, Jason Thomas (Erin) Way, Americus, Kansas, and Jeremy Lee (Kristen) Way, Emporia; daughter, Justina Barnes and her fiancé Nick Roach, Andover, Kansas; sister, Linda (Eric) Hurley, Holly Lake Ranch, Texas; and grandchildren, Dylan Kosinski, Seth, Camden, and Piper Way, and Hayden and Jasper Barnes. He was preceded in death by his parents.
John was an equipment operator and carpenter who had been employed at Panhandle Eastern Pipeline Company, Mark II Lumber, and Better Life Technology.
He was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, a Fourth Degree member of the Knights of Columbus, the Kansas Fur Harvesters, Kansas Muzzle Loaders, and the Sons of the American Legion.
John was an avid outdoorsman. He loved hunting, fishing, and trapping and was known across Kansas as the area fur buyer. He was very passionate about passing his knowledge of the outdoors on to others.
He also loved sports. He was always on the road traveling across the state to support his kids, grandkids, and their teams.
A Celebration of John’s life will be held at Champion’s Landing, Emporia, on Saturday, March 14, 2026 from 1:00 P.M. until 4:00 P.M.
The family will be setting up a Trapper John Memorial Fund for Youth Sports and Outdoor Activities. More details to come in the near future.
Contributions may be sent in care of Roberts-Blue-Barnett Funeral Home, PO Box #175, Emporia, Kansas 66801.
On Tuesday, January 6, 2026, the City of Rochester celebrated the inauguration of the Mayor, City Council, School Board, Police Commission, and Election Officials. Following the swearing-in of elected officials, Councilor David E. Walker (Ward 4/Seat A) was unanimously chosen to serve as Deputy Mayor.
Click here to watch online.
Mayor Chuck Grassie delivered the following address:
Thank you all for coming.
I want to thank Mayor Callaghan for his service to our city. I also want to thank everyone who has stood up to serve our community—our election workers, school board members, and city council members.
As we reflect on the history of our city, it becomes clear that we have experienced numerous changes over the years. Many of these changes have been met with applause and approval, while others have faced criticism and debate. The impact of these transformations has shaped our community in profound ways—some for the better, others perhaps less so, depending on one’s perspective. Regardless of whether these changes were welcomed or opposed, we now find ourselves on the threshold of an uncertain future, moving forward together as a community.
Recent assessments have resulted in significant tax increases for many working families and seniors. Given ongoing funding uncertainties at the federal level and reductions at the state level, developing sustainable school and municipal budgets will be increasingly challenging. Your mayor and city council recognize the difficulties facing our community and are committed to addressing the city’s needs with fiscal responsibility. We will pursue public-private partnerships where appropriate and explore innovative and cost-effective solutions to meet these challenges.
We also need to make sure our state representative delegation understands that actions taken at the state level can have dramatic effects on our local property taxes. I will be asking the city council to speak out when state actions cause increased costs for our property taxpayers.
Governance and Civic Responsibility
During the last election, some tried to bring political parties into our city’s government. By choosing the Council-Manager system without political affiliation, we moved away from party rule and toward elected councilors and school board members who serve Rochester’s voters—not political interests.
Personal opinions outside City Hall are your responsibility, but remember: partisanship has no place in City Hall. We represent the citizens of Rochester, not outside political powers.
As a city councilor, your responsibility is to actively listen to those you represent. Make time for regular ward meetings where you can hear their concerns and viewpoints. If you need assistance organizing a meeting, reach out and we will support you. I encourage you to ask questions and thoughtfully examine any issues that arise. You serve as the voice of your constituents, representing everyone in your wards. Bring forward their ideas—no suggestion is too unusual if it could help make Rochester better for all. As mayor, I promise that I will never silence your perspective.
As a citizen, it is your responsibility to reach out to your elected representatives and let them know how you feel about issues. Don’t be afraid. These councilors and school board members are your neighbors—you elected them to be your voice. We cannot represent you if we never hear from you.
Looking Ahead
Now let’s look forward. (The next two years are going to be tough.)
When I speak to many new citizens who move here, one of the first things they talk about is the number of people who volunteer. Whether it be youth sports, city beautification, faith-based activities, community festivals, or arts and culture, many work to make Rochester a special place to raise a family or retire.
But now we need to get even more involved.
If you have children in school, join your PTA or PTO and help make your school the best it can be. Volunteer in a classroom. Read to kids in a classroom. If you’re a businessperson—either large or small—join the Chamber of Commerce. If you’re a downtown business, join Main Street. If you attend church or are active with any other faith-based group, find out what programs they may have to help those less fortunate.
If you have kids, volunteer to coach or help with a youth sports or scouting program. Find a local cleanup or gardening group. Find a soup kitchen and lend your cooking skills to help feed those in need. Join the Rotary, Elks, Lions, Moose, or other groups that help our community in different ways. Volunteer at the Opera House or the Historical Society and help promote the arts, culture, and history of our city.
Encourage your children to get involved with extracurricular sports, music, theater, or community activities in the schools, because teaching them to get involved will ensure our future. Every hour you volunteer strengthens our community.
Issues Facing Rochester
1. Homelessness
One of the major issues I heard most from voters was homelessness. On any given night, Rochester has conservatively over 150 individuals sleeping outside under the sky—most not by choice, but by circumstance. A recent comment from our superintendent of schools stated that there were almost 100 students who were housing insecure.
Last year, 2025, our welfare department placed 68 households in motels as emergency housing. Most of those were families with children and some people with medical conditions that would not be appropriate for traditional shelters. This year, 2026, we have assisted 23 households with emergency housing in motels. The problem is getting worse, not better, and we need to find ways to solve it by working with the state and county.
People living in the woods, in tents, in cars, under tarps, in boxes—this is not a solution; it’s the problem. No one deserves to live in conditions less than an animal. Whether the cause is drugs, mental health challenges, poverty, physical disability, or job loss, we can and should do better.
I will be asking the school board to work with us to form a special committee to address youth homelessness. This committee will include community homelessness and housing advocates, members of the faith-based community, and city, county, and state elected officials.
Homelessness is not a problem Rochester can solve on its own. I have been—and will continue to—work with the mayors of Dover and Somersworth, as well as Strafford County and state officials, to find solutions to homelessness, drug and mental health treatment, and transitional and affordable housing.
2. Affordability of Housing
High housing costs in New Hampshire have forced many children and grandchildren to leave Rochester for affordable options elsewhere. It is troubling that new families moving here for jobs struggle to find affordable homes, and this situation must improve.
We need to review our zoning and building codes to see where we might reduce the cost of housing. Smaller “starter” homes used to be the norm but are now unpopular due to lower profit margins. There is a company right here in Rochester that I have been speaking with that uses innovative building techniques to 3D-print homes.
Small-footprint “cottage” homes need to be considered. Tiny home developments, such as one in Dover, need to be replicated here in Rochester. Concepts such as pattern zoning, accessory dwelling units, and workforce housing within commercial and industrial developments need to be expanded. What’s old may be new again, as companies are successfully developing workforce housing within their projects.
3. Education
I will be working closely with the chair of the school board to understand how we can help improve our schools. Most parents love their children’s teachers and their schools, and we need to support the efforts that have been successful in helping our children succeed.
With cutbacks at the state and federal levels, our schools struggle to make improvements. Our teachers work hard every day to help our children succeed but are constantly seeing reductions in special education supports and a lack of tools to do their jobs. Adolescent mental healthcare needs to be addressed, and I have reached out to mental healthcare professionals to see where we can help.
I will be asking both boards to hold regular meetings between our finance committees so issues, opportunities, and challenges are not surprises to either body. I will also be asking to meet monthly with the school board chair to keep us both informed on the common issues we face. The success of our schools will determine the success of our city.
4. Arts, Culture, History, and Community
The vibrancy of a community—and its ability to attract young families and new businesses—is rooted in its ability to provide arts and culture to its citizens. We have had many successful festivals in Rochester, but we can and should do more.
I will be reaching out to all community groups to find new and more innovative ideas to bring excitement to Rochester. Working with the Rochester Fair Association, Main Street, the Rochester Chamber, the Rochester Opera House, and other arts and cultural organizations, we will bring more energy to our city.
But most importantly, we should never forget the history that makes Rochester, Rochester. The stories that built our community need to be preserved and repeated. Our schoolchildren need to hear how Rochester became what it is today.
My father’s family came to the United States in the mid-1800s from Italy and settled here in Rochester. We were the first Italian family to settle here. Many more families followed from other countries to work in the woolen mills, shoe factories, and box shops.
I’ve heard it said that Portsmouth always wanted to be Boston, Dover always wanted to be Portsmouth, but Rochester just wanted to be Rochester—a working-class community where everyone could claim a piece of the American Dream, raise their children, work a good job, and retire with dignity.
Closing
I’ve only addressed four issues I’d like the city to focus on over the next two years. There are many more. It will not be easy, but I can tell you this: I will not be discouraged, nor will I accept the name “Rottenchester” any longer.
We will work with any group that has an idea or a desire to make our community better. I ask you—the people who make Rochester what it is—to help your city council and school board face the future.
One thing I can promise: no matter how hard it gets, we will have fun walking into the fight.
