Title: Grupo de Mujeres - Financial Education

Issues: What is the situation? Who cares and why?

Individuals who identify as Hispanics generally experience lower financial knowledge than the overall U.S. adult population. 38% of Hispanic women are aware and knowledgable of financial education versus 54% of white women. Immigrants and individuals who are new to the country are even less likely to be knowledgable of how the U.S. financial system works at the most basic level. Eastern Area Ministries director of multicultural services reached out to me to partner in teaching the women from "Grupo de Mujeres" (Women's Club) about financial wellness in correlation with about lifeskill development and empowerment. The women from this group are all Hispanic and speak little to no English. Many of them are just now joining the labor force and are trying to thrive in their personal financial wellness. 

Response: What has been done? Summarize your program, project, or response to the issue.

Upon learning about this I started working with Eastern Area Ministries and Passport Health on the Community Women's Club (Grupo de Mujeres). The program meets once a month for 3 hours and provides a safe space for women to talk and learn about different topics that will benefit their way of life. My role in the program is to provide financial literacy and empower the women to take control of their financial wellbeing. The first session started off with common terminology and the meanings, we moved to the differences between checking vs saving accounts, and different bank requirements for each account. From the second lesson I learned that three women went and opened up a checking's account based on the information I provided them with. The meeting for March focused on checks vs. money orders and practicing to fill out checks. From this lesson I learned that six women were not using their check book because they did not know how to properly fill them out. Upon the end of the session they were successfully filling out checks. 

Results/Impact: How has your response affected the users/stakeholders involved with the issue?

From the program so far, the women are being empowered to take control of their financial wellbeing. Three women opened up new checkin accounts based on their newfound knowledge they were provided with. Six out of 12 women who were buying money orders instead of using their checkbooks because they didn't know how to fill them out, are now proficient in filling out and cashing checks. This program is helping to develop skills for women to thrive in the U.S. financial market and understand how their finances work, it is providing them with knowledge that may be intimidating in a safe and supportive environment. I have seen tremendous growth from the women involved, and we will be continuing this program for the rest of the year.