DFW International updates four guides for new Americans

by Anne Marie Weiss-Armush of DFW International

All four titles will be available at most libraries in Dallas, Irving, Arlington, Fort Worth and Plano.

DFW International Community Alliance announces updates of four titles in their series of free Guides for New Americans. These directories are made possible by the support of The Meadows Foundation, UPS, Citi, Ernst&Young, The Hillcrest Foundation, Verizon, Compass Bank, Alcon, Haynes and Boone, AETNA and Pfizer. All four titles will be available at most libraries in Dallas, Irving, Arlington, Fort Worth and Plano, as well as through the Hispanic Chambers of Commerce, school intake centers, the Mexican Consulate, several local colleges and various ethnic community organizations.

The updated titles for 2009 are:

- Guide to Newcomers in North Texas / Guia Para Recien Llegados a North Texas (bilingual)

- Guide to Economical Health Services / Guia de Servicios Economicos para cuidar su salud (bilingual)

- Guide to English Classes (ESL) for Adults

- Guide to Scholarships for New Americans and Minorities

Immediate Past National President of LULAC, Hector Flores says, "These guides can help newcomers to the DFW Metroplex who have chosen the North Texas area as their home and who are helping make this part of the Southwest a better place for all."

Dr. Elba Garcia, Mayor Pro Temp of the City of Dallas adds, “We must thank the DFW International Community Alliance for their foresight and determination in creating the series of Guides for New Americans. These directories help our residents help themselves, increasing family income through improved skills in English and access to college scholarships. I don’t know of any similar program in any other metropolitan region!”

According to DFW International Community Alliance's 2005 report, 40% of North Texas residents are immigrants (foreign-born and their children). In addition to distribution through libraries and community organizations, all the titles are available as downloads from the DFW International Community Alliance website at www.dfwinternational.org/resource_center/.