Immigrants

Thank you for pointing out the problems our community faces in helping immigrants from Soviet Armenia settle here (Part I, March 8). We should be welcoming these newcomers with open arms, but instead find ourselves scrambling for means of successfully absorbing them.

The large influx of Armenians has caught our government off guard. With the vast majority of them coming to Los Angeles County, we must quickly prepare to provide them with the resources required to give them a decent opportunity to succeed. Considering the long lines of Latino and Southeast Asian immigrants waiting for these resources--ESL schooling, affordable housing, job training and the rest--this will not be easy.

As one of the local agencies charged with helping these newcomers, the International Institute urges the community to assist in this important task. One way is for business persons and others who might have job openings to make them available to Armenian immigrants.

Just as importantly, those of us whose families once migrated here can show our new neighbors that they, too, belong. With our help they will contribute to the economic growth and cultural diversity that makes our community so attractive to so many people throughout the world.

LAVINIA LIMON

Executive Director

International Institute

of Los Angeles