Citation
Jessica Santos, Danielle Chun, and Maria Fernanda Escobar. “‘Addressing Immigrant Financial Trauma and Empowerment Through CDFIs.” Presented at the 2025 Opportunity Finance Network CDFI Research Symposium. Washington, D.C. Presentation.
Abstract
Dr. Jessica Santos presented research examining the role of CDFIs in addressing financial trauma and empowerment among immigrants at the Opportunity Finance Network (OFN) CDFI Research Symposium. Research questions looked at financial trauma, healing, and empowerment; the role of CDFIs in immigrant inclusion; and narratives to foster empowerment. The research team conducted key informant interviews with CDFI leaders in Massachusetts and drew on data from another LZC study focused on financial transfers in a Massachusetts city to answer the research questions.
Implications of this research include the following:
- Economic stability and legal status are key determinants of health
- CDFIs offer culturally responsive, trauma-informed financial services
- Evidence-based narrative research are a potential tool for CDFIs to influence best practices and reduce financial trauma in immigrant families and communities
