Effects of participating in an asset-building intervention on social inclusion

The United States is arguably one of the richest countries in the world. However, poverty is still an issue of great concern. This observation suggests the need for more innovative interventions to reduce severe need and create terms for meaningful participation of vulnerable individuals in economic, political, and social exchange. Using a sample of Individual Development Account (IDA) program participants (N = 840) randomly assigned to a control and experimental group, we explore the relationship between participating in an IDA program and social inclusion. Findings reveal a significant relationship between the two variables. Although modest, these results provide a useful framework for examining factors that may affect an individual's capacity to move from vulnerability into enhanced economic, political, and social participation. They also point to a role for asset-building programs in an effort to empower vulnerable individuals.