comic group

M A comic series for Legal Permanent Residents Ankita, Aya, Kelsye, Janson

How can financial empowerment services be effectively integrated into the NYCitizenship program?

Financial literacy needs span the breadth of the citizenship application process (before, during, and after).

Motivation and time are important factors for participating in any social service.

The naturalization and financial empowerment processes are complex and often difficult to navigate.

Families, gender, and communities play an important role in an immigrant’s integration into life in the US.

Many people are unaware of the long-term financial benefits related to citizenship.

There are a number of barriers and stigma associated with seeking financial assistance and/or applying for citizenship.

Libraries are places of (communal) learning.

Citizenship Status • LPR for 5(+) years

Financial Status

• At initial stages of the naturalization process

• Some exposure to the U.S. financial system • Lost in the system • Low to low-middle income level

Community • Family and community support in the U.S. • Lives nearby the Library

English Level

• Visits the library to access the Internet and take classes

• Low to intermediate level English • Understands but less confident in speaking English

Dreams

• Becoming a US citizen • Long-term (financial) aspirations

Citizenship Journey Get Green Card

Start applying for citizenship

Prepare documents

Submit forms+$Fee

Interview

OATH

Become a Citizen

Dream continues

Dream continues

NYCitizenship

PHASE # 1 Screenin g&Int

ake

Financial Journey

PHASE #2 Assemble Documents

E#3 PHAS ffice yO e n r o t At ent m t n i Appo

OFE Advising Prepare for Citizenship Fee

Path to Financial Empowerment

Group classes in Library

INSIGHTS

CRITERIA

DESIGN DECISIONS

Financial literacy needs span the breadth of the citizenship process

Focus on full user journey to achieve holistic financial empowerment

Comic editions will cater to different phases in the user’s life.

Facilitate accessible understanding of complex concepts without being patronizing

Use visual storytelling and clear, simple language without jargon.

Processes are complex and Libraries are a place of (communal) often difficult tolearning. navigate Unaware of the long-term financial benefits related to citizenship

Connect to dots between financial empowerment and citizenship

Creating an edition of the comic that combines dreams and financial goals with the citizenship process

DESIGN DECISIONS

INSIGHTS Libraries as places of (communal) learning Motivation and time are are important factors Libraries a place of (communal) learning.

Role of families, gender, and communities Barriers and stigma

CRITERIA Enable self and group learning.

Make it easy for people to use on their own.

Be relatable to diverse readers.

Address common obstacles people face during these processes

Creating the tool to embrace both self and group learning scenarios Comic-book style allows it to be be a ‘grab and go’ item for people without time Created racially ambiguous male and female characters for the comics, experiencing common financial and citizenship related scenarios Using storytelling to explore common scenarios experienced by our users

CITIZENSHIP ATTORNEY APPOINTMENTS Screen & Intake: • Documents they need to bring • Process overview

LIBRARY CLASSES

• ESOL Classes • Citizenship Classes • New American Circle

Ensuing Office Appointments: • Aspirational conversation about why they want to become a citizen and tying it with financial goals (e.g. saving for college)

NYCitizenship MOIA

311

Attorney Office Appointment USER (LPR)

OFE

COMIC SERIES NY Library System

LIBRARY SYSTEM NYCITIZENSHIP PROGRAM NY MAYOR OFFICE

Group classes in Library

For attorney

For educator

Activities

LPR is exposed to comics in the following scenarios: • ESOL classes/ Citizenship workshop • Appointments with the attorney

Outcomes

• Better understanding of financial concepts • Understanding of the citizenship process and an awareness of how dreams and aspirations can be achieved through setting financial goals • Users continue working with attorneys on their citizenship application

Actors

ESOL Teachers, Citizenship Workshop Teachers, Attorneys, MOIA Coordinator, Content Developer, Illustrator, OFE Expert, Printer, Library Coordinator, LPR

Inputs (Touchpoints)

• Comics Educator’s Guide (Agenda, student worksheet, feedback form) • Facilitator’s Guide for attorney workshop • Conversation Guide for attorney appointments

Outputs

• Users fill out the action plan • Users make an appointment with the OFE

Indicator/ Assessment

Indicator/ Assessment ESOL/Citizenship Classes:

Better understanding of financial concepts

• Feedback form from educators • Number of classes and students that used comics

NYCitizenship Proogram:

• Feedback conference call with attorneys • Number of financial comics distributed • Number of successful OFE meetings referred by attorney

Understanding of citizenship process and an awareness of how (financial) dreams and aspirations can be achieved

Users continue working with attorneys on their citizenship application

NYCitizenship Program:

• Feedback conference call with attorneys • Number of citizenship comics distributed • Number of successful OFE meetings referred by attorney

NYCitizenship Program:

• Retention rate of clients with attorneys

Maintenance

User seek additional comics to continue learning about financial concepts.

Action

User follows through on action plan. User meets with an OFE advisor.

Preparation

Prompts people to make a plan to take action.

Contemplation

Prompts people to learn about financial literacy topics and citizenship process.

Precontemplation

Visual design catches user’s attention OR user is exposed to comic through educator or attorney.

Circulation Desk (Library)

Get Green Card

Start applying for citizenship

New Americans Corner (Library)

Prepare documents

Circulation of comics (CBOs)

Submit Interview forms+$Fee

OATH

Consultations with the financial officer (OFE)

Become a Citizen

Dream continues

Citizenship Journey