Channel for New Americans: Offers Educational and international programs and information on City Services

Crosswalks Television, New York City's Municipal Station, has launched  "The Channel for New Americans," a cable channel to help recent immigrants gain the language, education and job skills that will enable them to adapt to life in New York City.  The Channel for New Americans is available city-wide on Crosswalks Channel 73.

"Nearly 800,000 immigrants arrived in the City between 1990 and 1996," said Angelica Tang, Executive Director of the Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs and Language Services.  "The Channel for New Americans is a welcome addition to the city's services for new arrivals."

Included among the channel's offering are English language instruction, job training and preparation for the GED (high school equivalency test) to help immigrants move up to a better job and greater financial security.  The channel also connects immigrants to information about city services including citizenship assistance, employment and tenant's rights, consumer fraud, job training and health care programs.

"New York's hard-working immigrants are powerful contributors to the city's economy," noted Sara Porath, General Manager of Crosswalks. "The Channel for New Americans serve New York's Chinese, Caribbean, Indian, Japanese, Italian and Austrian communities."

The city government's cable channels (71, 72, 73, 74, 75 and 93) are available on basic cable in 1.6 million households, and reach a potential audience of 4 million people in all five boroughs.  Crosswalks Television is the largest and most successful municipal television station in the United States.  Administered by the New York City Department of Technology and Telecommunications, the channels are designated for government and educational use.

Crosswalks Television was launched in 1992 to improve the delivery  of government services to New York City residents through the medium of television, to serve as a focal point for public participation in city affairs, and to provide education and skills training to New Yorkers

For further information contact:

Crosswalks Television Network
1 Centre Street, 28th Floor
New York, NY 10007
Tel (212) 669 - 7400 Fax (212) 669 - 8448