West African Female Immigrants in the United States: challenges and Empowering Strategies

West African immigrants who are in the United States, specifically in Northeast Ohio are developing strategies to better their life; they created a model of self-help group named tontine. Members reach out to each other to fulfill their needs for financial support, information, and socialization. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and focus groups with 19 participants. Findings revealed that this population is mostly composed of female; these tontines help them successfully deal with their financial challenges, and they are empowered through group activities that enhance knowledge of immigration laws, resources, and health system accessibility. Social Work Practice implications of this study are summarized with regard to intervention strategies with immigrants and cultural competency of group workers.