SSI urges Senate to oppose migrant welfare bill and protect vulnerable communities
Settlement Services International (SSI) has joined calls from ACOSS and others in the community sector for the Senate to vote against a bill that will make migrants wait up to four years to access social security.
Friendship Garden now more accessible and helping everyone to grow
Since 2015, Settlement Services International’s (SSI) Friendship Garden in Auburn has welcomed people from many diverse backgrounds, however it was limited in what it offered to people living with disability. But this year, the garden has seen an unprecedented evolution.
Community of Practice will provide collective response to domestic and family violence
Sunday November 25 was International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, marking the launch of 16 Days of Activism, a global campaign to galvanise action to end violence against women and children. It will conclude on December 10, International Human Rights Day.
SSI celebrates inclusion
At SSI, we are getting ready to celebrate International Day of People with Disability (December 3), a United Nations sanctioned day that aims to increase public awareness, understanding and acceptance, and recognises the achievements and contributions of people with disability.
Dream to achieve: Ability Links participant speaks out
Emma Mackenzie is an Ability Links participant living with cerebral palsy and mild intellectual disability in the Hills area. She met SSI Ability Links linker Sonal one year ago and worked with her on creating opportunities to fulfil her dreams.
In conversation: SSI Arts and Culture Program Manager, Carolina Triana talks New Beginnings Festival from inception to evolution.
The arts and culture festival that brings diversity to the fore — the SSI New Beginnings Festival in Spring — took place at the iconic Darling Harbour on Saturday, November 3, 2018.
SSI calls on government to help secure safety of Hazaras
Settlement Services International (SSI) joins the Refugee Council of Australia and the 50,000-strong Hazara community in Australia in calling on the Australian Government to act quickly before the Taliban commits more atrocities and displaces more Hazara men, women and children in Afghanistan.
Ignite Multicultural Women’s Business Scholarship winners announced at Mosaic Gala
SSI celebrated its annual fundraising event — the SSI Mosaic Gala — at the glamorous Merivale Ivy Ballroom on September 14, with entertainment by Lucky African Drum and Sirens Dance, guest speaker Matt Okine and the announcement of winners of the Ignite Multicultural Women’s Business Scholarship.
Canadian immigration minister meets refugee entrepreneurs at Ignite
Canada’s refugee-turned-minister of immigration, Ahmed Hussen, was recently in Sydney during a multi-city visit to Australia, taking time to visit SSI Ignite Small Business Start-ups at the Addison Road Community Centre offices in Marrickville.
Afghani youth grow green thumbs
Budding young green thumbs of mostly Afghani background have given gardening a go and created a small community garden at the Auburn Diversity Services Inc. (ADSi) offices with the help of SSI’s Friendship Garden ambassador, Muthana.
You can be part of AccessAbility Day 2018
Are you a job seeker with disabilities or an employer willing to explore the possibilities of working with people with disabilities? There is a great opportunity ahead for you.
SSI Ignite volunteer reveals why working with refugees is one of the most rewarding experiences
When Cornelia Schulze moved to Sydney from Germany four years ago, she found the transition difficult at first. With two business degrees and a 25-year career in publishing, Ms Schulz has a wide range of skills which she was keen to put to good use.
Refugee youth receive Welcome2Sydney, playing rooftop basketball
A group of young people newly arrived from Syria has met with Welcome2Sydney ambassador Kate to enjoy a beautiful day out playing rooftop basketball at Ultimo Community Centre.
Welcome2Sydney newcomers and ambassadors celebrate National Unity Week
Welcome2Sydney hosted an intercultural picnic at the Observatory Hill Park to celebrate National Unity Week, October 20–27.
Thriving IgniteAbility entrepreneur and business award finalist is ready to scale up business
Carly Bishop was first introduced to IgniteAbility through Ability Links NSW, and ever since, has seen her business idea not only come to fruition from concept to start-up but was also recently recognised as an Illawarra Women in Business (IWIB) awards finalist.
Population Review needs to be balanced and sensitive to community cohesion
Settlement Services International (SSI) welcomes NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian’s appointment of an expert panel to develop a population policy for NSW, especially if it brings balance, fact and data on Australia’s migration program and ensures Australia’s successful multicultural social fabric and community cohesion are not undermined.
Shergold to take an evidence-based approach to NSW population policy
Western Sydney University Chancellor Professor Peter Shergold, who was announced on NSW Premier, Gladys Berejiklian’s three-member panel to develop a NSW population policy, addressed a global delegation at the International Metropolis Conference in Sydney yesterday.
Migrants wrongly blamed for infrastructure woes
Acclaimed social researcher Professor Stephen Castles says migrants are being used as scapegoats by politicians as they exploit their constituents’ increased feeling of vulnerability and frustration with infrastructure.
Migrants more likely to start businesses, lodge patents, and win Nobel Prizes and Academy Awards
The evidence of the benefits of migration is disconnected from public perception, say migration leaders at an international conference in Sydney this week.
Join us in celebrating carers
This week we are celebrating Carers Week across Australia. Carers are tireless supporters of their loved ones. We had a conversation with Manjit Kaur, who is the mum of 18-year-old SSI Ability Links participant Jasamit.