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: Many people attend the many churches of many different denominations in the area (e.g., Saint Luke Baptist Church, First AME Zion Church, Saint John the Baptist Cathedral). The are also hosts several mosques as well. Saint Joseph's medical center is the only hospital. People enjoy East Side Park, West Side Park, Garret Mountain. There are a number of high schools in the area: East Side High School, JFK High School, Rosa Parks High School of the Performing Arts, and Passaic Co. Technical Institute. People hold events and rallys at Passaic County College

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: Paterson is one of America's oldest industrial cities and it is now a multi-cultural diverse community, over 50 ethnicities are represented in the area. It's a mix of new immigrants, as well as families that have been here for decades if not longer.

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: The community s unfortunately plagued by poverty. There are not a lot of jobs in the city. There's a large working class community, but also people who are employed outside of the city but live and reside in Paterson. The largest employer is Saint Josephs Hospital and the Paterson Board of Education. The Great Falls area is the most visited tourist area in the state. It's a big attraction for the state. There is a small commercial district downtown Paterson, smaller than it used to be. Center City mall is a place where people shop. People also go to Willowbrook Mall, and Garden State Mall.

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: The community is unfortunately plagued by poverty. Homelessness is an issue for the community. As are addiction services. Also, education.