First Generation Programming Services
Welcome back First Gens, and Happy New Year! A new year can often feel like a fresh start for many of us. It can be a way to leave the past behind and move forward with new goals and new perspectives. As we dive into a brand-new year, we’re going to start the month of January with a theme that might feel vulnerable for some. This month’s theme is about relationships with money and our money stories, and I will share my journey with you all this week. This episode isn’t about budgeting hacks or financial perfection. It’s about money trauma, survival mode, and how mental health shapes the way we earn, spend, and save.
My money story didn’t begin with my first paycheck. It began years earlier, when my parents immigrated from Cuba after losing everything their families had hard worked for. That kind of loss leaves a mark, even if it’s never spoken about directly. Growing up, those experiences showed up as fear, scarcity, and the belief that things could disappear at any moment. Years later, that fear became real when my mom lost her job. Bills piled up, everyone was stressed, and money became something heavy. Like many first-gen families, we learned how to survive, but not necessarily how to feel safe or stable with money.
Madrina Money
Survival mode became a part of me. I bounced between extreme saving and impulsive spending, feeling guilty and anxious about it either way. For a long time, I just thought I was bad with money. It wasn’t until therapy, and an eventual ADHD diagnosis, that I began to understand what was really happening.
Budgeting felt overwhelming, and consistency was hard. Making decisions triggered stress and avoidance. Once I realized that my money habits were coping mechanisms, not character flaws, everything started to change. I began working to make systems that worked with my brain, not against it.
Eventually, healing my relationship with money also meant letting go of a belief that many first gens and immigrant families carry: that financial struggle is something everyone has to deal with. I decided to honor her family’s sacrifices without repeating the cycle. I decided that I needed to learn more about the why behind my struggles, which helped me realize that a better relationship with money starts with emotional regulation and compassion.
Today, my relationship with money looks very different. I learned that it’s not about being perfect but being at peace with my choices and decisions. For anyone navigating their own first gen money story, I want to remind you that our past doesn’t have to define us. We are allowed to rewrite our own story.
The First Gen Madrina
The First Gen Madrina is built on three interconnected branches designed to support first-generation students and professionals in wellbeing, wealth, and community:
💲 Madrina Money focuses on financial wellness through a first-gen lens. This branch supports individuals in unpacking money stories, building sustainable wealth, and gaining the confidence and tools needed to make empowered financial decisions without shame or judgment.
🤝 Madrina Network is dedicated to supporting social work students and professionals. Through resources, coaching, community, and conversations beyond traditional paths, this branch helps social workers navigate burnout, career growth, and non-traditional opportunities while staying aligned with their values.
🎤 Madrina Speaks centers on storytelling, speaking, and education. Through workshops, keynotes, panels, and the podcast, this branch creates space for honest conversations about first-generation experiences, identity, money, and purpose helping individuals feel seen, supported, and empowered.
Together, these branches reflect the heart of The First Gen Madrina: breaking cycles, building confidence, and supporting first-gens as they step into lives of intention, impact, and abundance.
Check out http://thefirstgenmadrina.com for more information!
