Rahaf Alrifai still remembers how lucky she felt when she was told that she had a job with SSI. Ms Alrifai was referred by Centrelink to SSI Jobactive in Campsie to get support to start her job search.

Using experience gained over a career in technology and management, Ian Elgey is supporting young refugees and migrants to find their feet in the Australian workplace.

SSI staff from Ignite Small Business Start-ups and Ability Links NSW participated in a week of training by Dr Ernesto Sirolli to build their knowledge and skills of using an enterprise facilitation model to assist people to establish a small business.

A group of novice singers and musicians from refugee and migrant backgrounds delighted a packed audience at the Powerhouse Youth Theatre, Fairfield, on December 10 with their Women in Harmony showcase.

As the New Year ticked over, a common theme in reflections on 2016 was the adversity the year brought with it. Along with the loss of popular icons such as David Bowie, Harper Lee and Leonard Cohen, we experienced unprecedented global events, like Brexit and the mass migration of people seeking safety, and saw escalating violence in areas such as Syria and South Sudan.

Until recently, 62-year-old Campsie resident Ming Zhong was one of the many Australians struggling to provide care to family members with a disability. Besides being a sole carer for his wife, who has a physical disability and mental health issues, and for his mother, diagnosed with dementia, Mr Zhong’s family also includes his daughter and her two young children.

Bert Oldfield Primary School, Seven Hills, hosted a colourful Diwali 2016 Cultural Exchange on November 5. The event was a collaboration between SydWest Multicultural Services, Community Hubs in the Blacktown local government area and local businesses and community organisations.

Culinary duo Sharon and Carol Salloum returned to SSI Community Kitchen last week to cook a Syrian-inspired barbecue lunch. The sisters, who run Sydney restaurant Almond Bar, are no strangers to the Community Kitchen, having previously used their professional culinary skills to cook for refugees and people seeking asylum at the fortnightly lunch event.

Community Hubs at Banksia Road and Rydalmere Public Schools organised special Grandparents Day events on November 2, attracting over 300 grandparents, parents and grandchildren.

The NSW Community Hubs team reviewed and celebrated its past year’s Hub activities during the team's annual meeting in November.  The meeting was an opportunity for participants to share their challenges and learnings, and to discuss priorities and the expansion of the program in 2017.

SSI’s Ignite Small Business Start-ups is to benefit from donations of around $60,000 thanks to the amazing generosity of Google and its Sydney-based staff.

By Elise Marley-Wallace, Allianz Public Relations and Social Media Manager In December 2016, more than 20 Allianz Australia employees volunteered over 200 hours to support not-for-profit humanitarian organisation, Settlement Services International (SSI), as part of Allianz’s community outreach program.  

It’s been a big year for Syrian brothers Sarkis and Garen Keshishian who have only recently come to call Australia home. But their sights are on the future and they have big plans to make their mark in the automotive industry.

Two busloads of refugee families travelled from Liverpool to an exhibition in Glebe for the launch of Courageous Journeys: A Family Portrait on November 16.

Tinsel and holly wreaths appeared in the SSI office this week – a sure sign that another year is drawing to a close and the summer break is around the corner. Like many people, I’m looking forward to a few weeks off to relax, revive and refresh myself for another busy year in 2017.

International Day of People with Disability was celebrated by SSI together with participants and Linkers from SSI Ability Links NSW in Ashfield on Tuesday November 6. The SSI auditorium was filled with the sounds of Jonathon Yung on piano to start off the morning tea event.

Multicultural youth from across Greater Western Sydney came together for the 20 Voices Youth Symposium on Education yesterday to break through barriers in Australia’s education system and build solid foundations for their future. Hosted by the Youth Collective, the 20 Voices Youth Symposium provided a forum for young people to share skills and experiences, build new networks, and learn how to navigate the education system to work towards their career goals.

Yarie Bangura spoke to a crowd of 150 Google employees about her small business Aunty’s Ginger Tonic, on Friday evening, November 25. The event was the launch of Google Give Week; a week during which Google employees are given the opportunity to donate to local charities whose initiatives are making a significant impact in the community.

Amina Khatoon has found her first job and Cicilia Rigas was employed after just two months with the Settlement Services International (SSI) jobactive service. These are just two examples of why SSI has again been awarded a five star rating by the Department of Employment for its efficiency and effectiveness in placing job seekers into sustainable work.

Amina Khatoon has found her first job and Cicilia Rigas was employed after just two months with SSI’s jobactive service. These are just two examples of why SSI has again been awarded a five star rating by the Department of Employment for its efficiency and effectiveness in placing job seekers into sustainable work.