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