Corporate volunteers: ‘very busy, very enjoyable’, bringing community together
Seven staff from Deutsche Bank who volunteered at SSI’s Armenian-themed Community Kitchen on November 15 were so excited by the experience they have vowed to return with more of their colleagues.
Telstra NSW Business Woman of the Year: Business Innovation is found in the NFP sector
2017 NSW Telstra Business Women’s Award winner calls for corporate Australia to look to the not-for-profit sector to find the innovative solutions it needs to address workforce shortages and inspire entrepreneurial thinking. Violet Roumeliotis, CEO of Settlement Services International (SSI), who won the 2017 Telstra NSW for Purpose and Social Enterprise Award, said her organisation, which she has grown in revenue from $9m to $110m in only four years, is built on an entrepreneurial spirit that has led to innovative approaches to supporting migrants, people seeking asylum and refugees start businesses, join large corporations and fill important gaps in the workforce.
From the CEO — Marriage equality survey results
Yesterday we received the news that the majority of people who took part in the survey on marriage equality voted to change the law to allow same-sex couples to marry.
Techfugees hackathon builds social capital around refugee settlement
Refugees and people seeking asylum could soon benefit from a smartphone app that navigates health care for those challenged by language and the healthcare system.
NSP Showcase celebrates unique settlement collaboration
A consortium led by SSI last week launched the NSW Settlement Partnership in Focus, a new resource showcasing an innovative service delivery model.
Resource showcasing innovative service delivery model launches
A new resource showcasing an innovative, unique not-for-profit service delivery model was launched in Sydney today. The NSW Settlement Partnership in Focus is replete with success stories of this unique partnership, which is the first of its kind in the settlement sector.
New Community Hub for Bass Hill locals
Bass Hill has joined a growing number of communities around Australia that have a dedicated ‘hub’ for parents and community members to connect with each other. Last Thursday, the children at Bass Hill Primary School performed for a large crowd of parents, students and members of the community to mark the launch of a new Community Hub, which will be led by local community members with support from not-for-profit Settlement Services International (SSI).
“SSI has helped us to love Australia”
Patience is a virtue when beginning a new life in Australia, according to newly arrived refugee Mania Terzabian, who is taking her goals one step at a time.
Festival shatters refugee stereotypes
Artists, craftspeople and gastronomes forging new lives in Australia will take centre stage at a free festival in November that challenges stereotypes about newly arrived communities. On November 18, Sydney’s iconic Darling Harbour will host the New Beginnings Festival in Spring, where thousands of Sydneysiders will gather to enjoy the musical, culinary and artistic talents of people from refugee and migrant backgrounds.
From the CEO — What we achieved with your support
People are at the centre of SSI’s work. We offer a range of responses to meet the evolving needs of people who are at a stage in their life where they’re experiencing vulnerability — whether that be homelessness, unemployment, forced displacement.
A year of strong outcomes with commitment to continuity and values underpins SSI AGM
Human Rights Commissioner Edward Santow was the keynote speaker at the SSI Annual General Meeting held today at the SSI offices in Bankstown, which was attended by more than 80 people.
SSI CEO joins Australia’s top business women
A leadership approach that combines innovation with non-predatory expansion has seen not-for-profit CEO Violet Roumeliotis recognised as one of Australia’s top business women. On Friday at the NSW Telstra Business Women’s Awards, Ms Roumeliotis was selected in the ‘For Purpose and Social Enterprise’ category as the state representative who will go on to the national awards. She was one of 24 NSW finalists in the awards, which recognise the achievements of extraordinary business women.
From the CEO — Innovative, inspiring Australian business women
The organisations in which I’ve always taken an interest — both in the business world and not-for-profit sector — are those that operate like honey bees. They collaborate and generate value for themselves, their communities and their environment.
SSI foster carer commended at 2017 NSW Grandparent of the Year Awards
SSI’s foster carer Alaweia Kual has been recognised as a finalist in the 2017 NSW Grandparent of the Year Awards for her valuable contributions to the community both as a kinship carer for her grandson and as a community leader supporting newly arrived refugees from her home country of Sudan.
Employment expo opens the door for refugee job seekers
More than 500 job seekers of refugee background received first-hand advice and guidance on how to access sustainable employment at the Refugee Job Start: Information Expo in October.
SSI Member Spotlight: Launch of Multicultural LGBTI+ Support Directory
Advance Diversity Services, Kogarah Community Services and St George Youth Services have collaborated to launch the Multicultural LGBTI+ Support Directory in effort to provide relevant information to people from culturally, religiously and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
Refugees turn stories into song with the Human Sound Project
Refugees and other newly arrived community members are turning their stories into song with a global musical movement that empowers people from all backgrounds to express themselves through music.
Not-for-profits back new women’s alliance
Not-for-profits from around Australia have banded behind a new national women’s alliance that will champion the unique issues affecting refugee and migrant women. Launched in Adelaide today by the Federal Minister for Women, Senator Michaelia Cash, the Harmony Alliance: Migrant and Refugee Women for Change is a policy and strategy body that will consult with migrant and refugee women nationally to bring about positive change on the issues that affect them.
Hard work puts young refugee on path to success
Access to an education is something many young Australians take for granted. That’s not so for 21-year-old Mahdia, who has overcome huge barriers in order to secure a university education.