Refugee women express themselves through dance
Cultures combined during a recent dance workshop, where a group of female refugees learned how to express themselves through classical Indian dance.
Team work in the Southern Region delivers great results
We all need help from time to time to face challenging situations. For Catherine Halliday, a Shoalhaven resident who will be undergoing a cornea transplant next month, this moment arrived a few weeks ago.
Young refugee masters the art of giving
Twenty-five-year old refugee Ranita Dasho has one goal for life in Australia: to give back. After less than a year in the country, she’s already turning that aspiration into action.
Innovative approach supports job retention for recently arrived youth
Young workers from migrant and refugee backgrounds will receive mentoring support to help them stay in a job long term, thanks to an innovative new service being delivered by SSI.
A small business creates a sense of security while seeking asylum
Karim* arrived in Australia in 2012 to seek asylum when it became unsafe for him to stay in Iran. An electrical engineer by trade and with a wealth of experience, he owned and operated his own business in his home town of Shiraz, Iran.
Diversity celebrated on Harmony Day
Harmony Day is an important annual event on SSI’s calendar, but the 2016 event marked a milestone as hundreds of staff, volunteers, clients and supporters came together to celebrate this year’s theme – diversity is our strength.
Using art to reveal cultural bonds
Artist Miriam Cabello’s long-held passion for collaborative community art and educational projects has seen her take on a unique mentoring opportunity for the New Beginnings: Refugee Arts & Culture Festival 2016.
Jamie’s Ministry of Food hosts people seeking asylum
A group of amateur cooks who are seeking asylum in Australia have acquired home cooking skills and experience thanks to a social enterprise established by celebrity chef Jamie Oliver.
From the CEO – Inclusion and social harmony in the aftermath of Brussels
Harmony Day is a celebration of cultural diversity that focuses on inclusiveness, respect and belonging. At SSI, we marked the day with an afternoon of food, music and dancing that also integrated Nowruz – the New Year’s celebration for more than a dozen cultures globally.
Two dozen refugees secure work within months of arrival
Twenty four refugees have secured employment in the past six months with the support of Settlement Services International’s Humanitarian Settlement Services program.
New Government initiative is supporting parents to return to work
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.
SSI food: Fatima’s International Women’s Day feast
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.
SSI and Metro Assist support newly arrived refugees
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.
SSI Ability Links helps publish a budding author
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.
We’re here to seek new beginnings
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.
From job-seeker to employment with SSI Employment Services
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.
Crazy plan paid off with big smiles at Luna Park
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.
SSI Speakers’ Series — Aminata Conteh-Biger
As with many new mothers in Australia, former refugee Aminata Conteh-Biger knew nothing about infant mortality rates before giving birth to her first child in 2012.
Community event empowers women
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.
SSI Speakers’ Series – Deng Thiak Adut
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.