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: My community is made of the Arab American community that mainly resides in Paterson, Wayne, Woodland Park, Clifton, Haledon, North Haledon, Prospect Park and Little Falls. Some specific points of interest are found in the 07508 zip code and South Paterson which is otherwise known as “Little Ramallah.” Some notable businesses in this area include Brother’s Produce, Fattal’s Syrian Bakery, Nouri Brothers, Al-Basha Restaurant, Sheefa Pharmacy. Arabs from all over the state frequently visit these establishments on a regular basis. School 9 is a school in Paterson where the majority of the students are Arab American.

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: Islamic Center of Passaic County - Largest Mosque in North Jersey Palestinian American Community Center - First of its kind in New Jersey. Wafa House - Social Service organization for Arab Americans Smile - Social service organization for Arab Americans Arab American Civic Organization Our community can trace its history to Paterson's founding and we have seen a significant increase in our population over the last 30 years giving us the ability to gain local elected positions.

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: Our contributions to New Jersey are strong and significant and we need to be taken into account by our government and established political processes. The South Paterson Arab American community is a great example of our economic contributions to New Jersey as it is currently leading economic development for the entire city of Paterson. An estimated 10,000 Arab American residents throughout New Jersey visit the South Paterson Arab business corridor nearly every weekend bringing in huge economic opportunities to our community.

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: At least 3.5 million Americans of Arab descent live in this country, yet we are not represented in Census data as unique racial and ethnic categories as we are still categorized under the white race. Being lumped into the White race category has real and detrimental effects on our community: health, socioeconomic relief, admission into schools, psychological effects, and impact on immigration issues. Arab/MENA Americans have distinct issues, and experiences and national-level data on Arab/MENA Americans obscure regional variations, such as disadvantaged communities in Passaic County.