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: Patterson Park and Mueller Park are both gathering spots for my community. There are also two grocery stores, multiple churches and two hospitals located within walking distance of my neighborhood.

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: My community was built to be a "whites only" neighborhood in the late 40's. It's still in the deed to my house. My neighborhood is adjacent to enclaves of apartments which are relatively affordable compared to other areas of town. This entire part of Austin, east of IH 35, was once the ONLY part of Austin where Hispanics and African Americans were allowed to live. Because Austin has grown and restrictive zoning laws and high housing costs have exploded - my community has become less diverse.

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: My community is on the East Side of Austin. Many of my neighbors work in the non-profit sector. I live in a neighborhood that was once whites only. Now - the neighborhood is attempting to become a designated "historic" neighborhood making single family homes the only type of development that is allowed.

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: We need more and better public transportation and affordable housing. Although we have great access to services and are close to downtown, this area of town has become too expensive for most and hard to navigate without a car.