Valleywide : Guidebook for Recent Immigrants Available

The first resource guide specially created for recent Chinese, Korean and Latino immigrants in Southern California is now available.

Created by AT&T;, GTE and New York Life Insurance Co., and sponsored by the Los Angeles County Department of Consumer Affairs, the California Newcomer’s Guide provides information in three languages to help immigrants establish themselves in the United States, said Sue Kim, California Newcomer’s Guide Committee spokeswoman.

“Moving to a new country can be intimidating and confusing,” she said.

The guide includes such tips as:

* How to call 911.

* What to do in case of an earthquake.

* How to set up local and long-distance telephone services.

* Information about the Department of Motor Vehicles.

* Phone numbers for in-language service representatives.

The resource guide was developed last year for immigrants to Northern California, Kim said. Because of its popularity, a second edition was produced there, as well as a first edition for Southern California.

According to 1990 U.S. Census information, she said, there are more than 320,000 Chinese, 200,000 Koreans and 6 million Latinos in Southern California.

She said figures also indicate immigrants tend to settle near their port of entry.

For instance, more than half of the immigrants from China, Korea and Mexico over the past five years have remained in the West.

Kim said the resource guide is free and available by calling AT&T; Global Communications Center at (213) 380-8321 or any of the Southern California GTE Phone Mart and New York Life Insurance offices.

She said copies will also be available at various community organizations, libraries, social service agencies, government agencies and churches throughout Southern California.