Use these questions to think more about how you would describe your community...
  - Where do people in your community gather or socialize?
  - How and where does your community access services (healthcare, transportation, educational services, etc.)?

Examples of activities and services: Shopping areas, schools and universities, libraries, parks, lakes, rivers, places of worship, healthcare services, public transport, local nonprofit organizations, etc.

Your response: Greater Mattapan Neighborhood Association operates in this area, and is a fairly new organization (about 3 years old). Caribbean Festival, churches and church activity, Voice of the Gospel Church. ABCD, Mattapan Health Center, Mattapan MBTA are in area services. Mattapan Farmer's Market, Mattapan Food and Fitness coalition, Edgewater Neighborhood. Shopping at Star/Shaws on River St. Library on Blue Hill Ave. The Mildred Avenue school has been a place where voting occurs. There's a pilot school where the community gathers as well.

Use these questions to think more about how you would describe your community...
  - What are the cultural bonds in your community?
  - If your community has a shared history, what is it?

Examples of cultural or historical interests: Religious groups, ethnic groups, languages, age groups, immigration status, historic or arts districts, etc.

Your response: The neighborhood is primarily West Indian/Caribbean/Black with many nationalities, very diverse area. There was a "white flight" around the 1970s/80s. There is a sizable Haitian population. Speak American South, Caribbean English, French, Haitian Creole, Spanish. A lot of seniors live in the 200 block.

Use these questions to think more about how you would describe your community...
  - Where are residents employed?
  - If there are environmental concerns in your community, what are they?

Examples of economic or environmental interests: Tourism industry, agricultural workers, mining town, manufacturing center, polluted natural resource, unemployment problem, etc.

Your response: There is a lot of construction in the community, and concern about the Mattapan MBTA, with people concerned about it being a for gentrification. Many work outside the community. Air quality, heat spots, lack of trees on the street, underutilized parks and green spaces. Issues of healthcare and low wage jobs.

Use these questions to think more about how you would describe your community...
  - What should politicians and/or map drawers know about your community?
  - What are the needs of your community?
  - Is there anything else you want to tell us about your community?

Examples of needs or concerns: Keep community in the same district or separate into multiple districts, shared policy concerns, need for a social service, relationship to other nearby communities, issues with current district lines

Your response: More playgrounds. Safety but no increased police presence. Jobs. Low income/affordable housing, stop displacement. More fun activities for teens and seniors. Support for youth. Job opportunities, better jobs. Need investments in formal, community areas. Environmental improvements like the Neponset River. Park maintenance. Quality grocery stores. Need better traffic control, W Selden St is Blue Hill Ave Bypass, hear cars speeding by all hours of the day.