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: People of the Albanian Community of Queens, usually gather and socialize in coffee shops, which is sort of a tradition originated in Albania. Gathering in coffee shops in the Albanian community is the equivalent of gathering and socializing in restaurants, parks, or churches for people in other communities. In addition, younger generations also socialize in parks, schools, libraries, beaches etc. In regard to accessing services, the Albanian community uses the same healthcare, transportation, and educational services as any other community in New York. The only distinction may be that people prefer to use cars as a mean of transportation rather than using public transport.

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 Albanian community of Queens can be divided into two main categories: first-generation Albanian-Americans (people that were usually born and raised in Albania and emigrated later on to the U.S.) and second-generation Albanian-American (people that were born in the U.S., but their parents were born and raised in Albania. Regarding religion, there are only two religions that are followed Christianity and Islam. Also, the Albanian community in Queens can be divided into a few small groups based on ethnicity which are those who were born in Albania, Kosovo, Montenegro, or Serbia. Regardless of the ethnicity, everyone in the Albanian community speaks the same language which is the Albanian la

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: Most of first-generation Albanian-Americans are employed in jobs that require low level skills mainly because of the lack of education in the United States and the inability to speak the English language. Industries in which they are usually employed in are construction, food service, maintenance and janitorial services and transportation. Second generation Albanian-Americans are usually employed in jobs that require high level skills and usually a college degree such as financial services, healthcare, and education.

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: I would say that is important to keep the Albanian community in the same district rather than separating it into multiple districts. This because people in this community tend to live close to each other in a way that is easier to support one another, especially first generation Albanian- Americans. Something that I assume my community needs is building a better and greater relationship with nearby communities.