Community Projects

Overview: 

This coordinated research program examined retirement savings among Hispanic women. A qualitative focus group study first identified key barriers, including bank distrust and financial stress. Subsequently, Facebook advertisements were used to conduct experiments capturing interest in retirement planning, revealing that peer-influence messaging outperformed family-centered appeals. Finally, a community-based bilingual (English/Spanish) educational workshop led 14% of treatment participants to open retirement savings accounts, highlighting that qualitative insight and targeted messaging can lead to measurable behavioral change. This program was delivered in person, in English and Spanish, in partnership with community organizations, with MPP student Ana Francisca Silva serving as project coordinator and research assistant.

Overview:

This research program focused on the financial well-being and stress of low- to moderate-income Latino adults in California. The initial publication addresses the significant financial and pandemic-related stress experienced by this population. The second publication provides a solution through a culturally tailored digital intervention designed to build financial capability, bridging the gap between identifying financial stressors and implementing scalable, technology-based support. This digital program was delivered through infrastructure developed with the https://cesr.usc.edu/ at the University of Southern California. MPP students were involved throughout the project: Rosemary Gutierrez, Courtney Sheldon, and Alexander Baker served as project coordinators and research assistants.

Overview:

This program consisted of a four-week mobile phone-based education intervention designed to increase COVID-19 vaccination rates among Latino families. Delivered via text, participants received bilingual, culturally tailored content featuring Latino doctors and community health workers. The randomized controlled study measured the intervention's impact, while qualitative focus groups examined parental experiences, motivations, and fears in under-resourced communities in East and South Los Angeles. This digital program was co-led with Dr. Yelba Castellon-Lopez (UCLA) and delivered through infrastructure developed with USC's CESR. MPP student Cruz Garcia served as research assistant and project coordinator, and co-authored the program's main publication.

Overview:

Building on the previous iteration, MiVacunaLA 2.0 is a community-based randomized controlled trial testing a digital intervention to increase COVID-19 vaccination rates among Hispanic children ages 5–11. Delivered via mobile phone, the 4-week program provided videos and infographics in English and Spanish. The intervention aimed to improve guardian knowledge and build trust in the vaccine approval process. This digital program was co-led with Dr. Yelba Castellon-Lopez (UCLA) and delivered through infrastructure developed with USC's CESR. MPP student Evelyn Torres served as project coordinator and research assistant.

Overview:

Dollars and Zen was a three-month digital intervention that integrated financial education with stress management techniques for low-income Latino adults. Participants engaged in weekly activities covering financial goal setting and debt management alongside relaxation exercises and positive visualization. The study investigated whether combining these disciplines could enhance financial behaviors and confidence while reducing stress levels.

This digital program was delivered through infrastructure developed with USC's CESR. The project was a cross-school collaboration between the School of Public Policy and Seaver College, co-led with Dr. Nataria Joseph (Seaver College), with MPP and Seaver students involved throughout, with MPP students Celeste Benitez and Baely Gulbins to help as project coordinators and research assistants, and McKenzie Richards and Flora Sedrakyan, who co-authored the study.

Overview:

MyMoney was a community-based digital intervention designed to meet the informational needs and promote behavioral change among Hispanic adults. The four-week, mobile phone-based program provided an introductory financial education experience, leveraging digital and artificial intelligence tools to deliver linguistically and culturally tailored content in short, accessible modules. Evaluated through a community-based randomized controlled trial with 45 participants and 16 community stakeholders, the program had a significant impact on saving for emergencies, and qualitative findings from participants and stakeholders offer insights for designing future digital interventions that engage Hispanic communities. This digital program was delivered through Kuxaan, a digital platform developed by the lab, with MPP students Baely Gulbins, Kamila Campos, Jessica Gonzalez, and Jorge Macias serving as co-researchers and co-authors.  

Overview:

MyMoney+MyRetirement is an 8-week digital education program primarily focused on guiding Spanish-speaking Latino adults on the importance of saving. The first four weeks help participants develop healthy financial habits, while the final four weeks shift toward long-term financial planning, including the process of setting up a Social Security Administration account. The program curriculum also teaches participants about saving for retirement and college through CalSavers and CalKids, California's state-sponsored savings programs. This digital program is delivered through Kuxaan, a digital platform developed by the lab, and is co-led with Dr. Angelino Viceisza (Spelman College/NBER). MPP students are involved throughout the project: Nataly Luna serves as project coordinator, Philip Husband and Enrique Torres serve as research assistants, and Kamila Campos and Jessica Gonzalez supported participant recruitment.