FOCUS
Using qualitative methods, Laurent plans to examine how community programs and initiatives are designed to meet the needs of diverse aging populations, as well as assess the knowledge and attitudes of the staff working in aging services. More specifically, she is interested in working directly with older Latino adults to understand their experiences engaging with these services and staff, as well as their ingenuity in bypassing barriers to access with the help of informal services and resources, such as ties with family, neighbors, church, etc.
MORE ABOUT LAURENT
Laurent was born in Havana, Cuba and immigrated to West New York, New Jersey in 1999 with her mother. As a first-generation college student, she has a commitment to her family and community’s success. They have taught her to persist in the face of inequalities and challenges, and that’s why she says, ‘yo sigo aquí en la lucha.’
DISSERTATION GRANT AWARDEE — FEBRUARY 2020
A Phenomenological Study Exploring Experiences of Civic Participation among Older African Americans and Latinx Immigrants using an Intersectional Life-Course Perspective
The aim of this dissertation was to better understand the experiences of civic participation among African American and Latinx older adults aged 60 years and older while considering intersectional identities and major life transitions throughout the life course in the context of systemic inequality. Findings offer new insights on the multidimensionality of civic participation beyond formal and informal, and social and political dimensions, to consider spirituality, solidarity, survival, and empowerment.
–ourwayoflifearchive.com
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