Twenty four refugees have secured employment in the past six months with the support of Settlement Services International’s Humanitarian Settlement Services program.

In a move that will extend support services to vulnerable families, Settlement Services International (SSI) and Metro Assist are pleased to be working together in partnership to deliver the ParentsNext initiative which begins today.

When thinking of a menu for SSI’s International Women’s Day celebration, head chef Fatima Kourouche drew inspiration from an important woman in her life – her mother.

More than 100 NSW settlement service providers came together for a one-day forum in March to discuss major hurdles facing newly arrived refugees and ways to improve service delivery in the early stages of settlement.

Dr Khursheedah Jonud, a Mauritius-born mother now living in Hassall Grove, had a long-life dream; publishing her own novel and sharing it for free with a large audience to enjoy it. After years of writing articles and sharing them with friends, she eventually finished her first book. The next step, however, was to find a way to have it published.

SSI’s first Speakers’ Series for 2016 was a powerful and inspiring evening, shared by 85 guests packed into SSI’s Ashfield auditorium and watched online at SSI’s YouTube channel.

One of the best ways to excel at your job is to start from the bottom and work your way up. Chris Blackwell, Team Assistant with SSI Employment Services, knows this very well. He can quickly identify the uncertainty and tiredness on the face of job-seekers the first day they arrive at the Campsie warehouse where SSI Jobactive operates some of its Work for the Dole (WFD) programs. Only six months ago, he was one of them.

There were big smiles on everyone’s faces when members of Blacktown North Public School Community Hub visited Luna Park in March. Community Hubs is a national program that supports migrant and refugee parents and children as they navigate the education system.

There was something for everyone at International Women’s Day celebrations at Banksia Road Public School, Greenacre. This event was a collaboration between many local stakeholders and the Banksia Road Public School Community Hub leader Marina Boutros.

Deng Thiak Adut is a notable community leader and internationally renowned lawyer. He came to Australia as a refugee, after escaping Sudan where he was abducted as a child and forced to act as a soldier. Once he was safe, he put himself through law school, becoming a formidable advocate. 

Like many Australians, Natalie Tsirimokos watched the global refugee crisis gain momentum in 2015 and felt compelled to act. “I spent a lot of time thinking about how I could help, so I began researching local not for profits,” she said.

A group of female refugees and their children came together to socialise and make new friendships on a recent visit to some of Sydney’s historic landmarks.

Settlement Services International (SSI) is proud to sponsor the 2016 Premier’s Harmony Dinner, and support the celebration of cultural diversity in NSW. SSI is a community-based, not-for-profit humanitarian organisation providing a range of services in the areas of humanitarian settlement, accommodation, asylum seeker assistance, multicultural foster care, disability support and employment services in NSW.

An innovative partnership between Allianz Australia and Settlement Services International (SSI) will deliver new career opportunities and support for refugees and migrants who have settled in Australia. Today’s joint announcement by Allianz Australia Managing Director Niran Peiris and SSI CEO Violet Roumeliotis coincide with the first week on the job for five recruits under the partnership employment program. The partnership aims to improve employment and educational opportunities for SSI clients as well as enhance workforce diversity at Allianz.

Settlement Services International invites its staff, partners, supporters of diversity and inclusion and refugee support professionals to participate in ORAM Training on Sexual and Gender Minority Refugees.

Recently, SSI’s General Manager Peter Zographakis gave a keynote presentation, accompanied by an editorial, about the need for not-for-profits to diversify and build strong partnerships if they are to remain sustainable and prosper. This week we were proud to announce the culmination of months of friendly negotiations that resulted in one such partnership with insurer Allianz Australia.

“You know the best part of doing this?’ asks Ian Beasley as he folds white fabric in narrow, even parts; “That each one of the creations we made today is a one-off piece, they are handmade and can’t be replicated.”

From the arts to technology, there are many different fields where refugees have made significant contributions to Australian society. But what are the factors that drive their success? And why is telling and listening to their stories so important? 

Starting a new school year or moving into a new area can be a daunting time for a child and their family. For many preschool children, their Community Hub will be their first interaction with their future primary school. Being a part of a Hub can help them to feel at home in their school environment and more prepared to start school.