Refugee education, employment at heart of SSI Mosaic Gala
When Elaha* was seven, her parents made the heartbreaking decision to send her to live in India so she could enjoy a more free life than in her native country. Growing up in a foster care home away from her family, Elaha always made an extra effort with her education as she felt that would help to justify her parents’ sacrifice.
New initiative helps refugees to build a sense of belonging
Refugees in the Liverpool area are getting support to feel more at home in Australia, thanks to a partnership that introduces new arrivals to local businesses that will greet them with patience, understanding and welcome.
From the CEO — The refugee crisis on our doorstep
Like many Australians, I have been shaken by recent reports of Rohingya men, women and children fleeing their homeland in the thousands.
Ability Links NSW reinspires Nigerian electrical engineer after detrimental illness strikes
A 62 year old Nigerian electrical engineer experienced unimaginable misfortune, shortly after his arrival to Sydney on a Rotary Convention. Edwin Ikwu’s life had a 360-degree turn when he was diagnosed with a severe viral infection, while visiting Australia in June 2014.
Refugee entrepreneurs establish first salon with help from SSI
A trio of sisters and Ignite Small Business Start-ups entrepreneurs celebrated the grand opening of their first Australian salon in September with 50 family, friends and supporters. Based in North Parramatta, 3Sis Hair and Beauty is a dream come true for Marjan, Mojgan and Ava Rajabali — three passionate and hardworking women who have achieved a lot in a short time.
Ability Links NSW storybook shines a light on diverse voices
The voices of people with disability, their families and carers are at the heart of a new Ability Links NSW (ALNSW) storybook, launched today by Minister for Disability Services and Multiculturalism, The Hon. Ray Williams on behalf of SSI.
SSI drives an innovative approach for refugee jobseekers into work through their newest social enterprise – Food for Thought
Today, Assistant Minister for Social Services and Multicultural Affairs, Senator Zed Seselja launched SSI newest social enterprise – Food for Thought in Campsie, NSW.
SSI partners with Allianz on employment program for young refugees
A new program that aims to teach young refugees basic business skills and help them find a job was announced in Sydney today. The ‘Allianz Ladder’ program will familiarise refugee youth with business environments and help them develop the core skills and confidence they need to find their first job in Australia.
SSI showcases innovative housing solutions at Cultural Shift
An SSI Housing presentation at Cultural Shift 2017 showcased projects offering affordable housing alternatives for vulnerable communities in NSW, including the Emergency Housing Accommodation (EHA) program and a modular home project.
SSI Member Spotlight: Sydney Multicultural Community Services
Working with local service providers, Sydney MCS is addressing the lack of adequate information regarding services available to the people it supports within the community.
Cultural Shift 2017 showcases settlement innovation for migrant and refugee families
More innovative and tailored initiatives for refugee and migrant families are essential to overcoming settlement challenges and fostering a long-term sense of belonging, delegates heard at a conference last week.
From the CEO — 12,000 new community members
Samira Maksoud is a Syrian refugee who has been in Australia less than six months. But that hasn’t stopped her from finding a part-time job and enrolling to study in two tertiary qualifications.
Regional centre of Armidale to welcome refugees
Community support will play a critical role in the successful settlement of an estimated 200 refugees in NSW regional hub Armidale, according to leading humanitarian settlement not-for-profit Settlement Services International (SSI). Minister for Social Services, Christian Porter, announced on Friday that SSI had been contracted to provide on-the-ground settlement services to an estimated 200 refugees who will settle in Armidale in 2018 as part of the Humanitarian Settlement Program (HSP). SSI was recently successful in obtaining the contract for two of the 11 HSP contract regions: Sydney and NSW regional, which includes Newcastle, Coffs Harbour and the newly defined Armidale refugee settlement area.
Ignite serves an opportunity for recently arrived Syrian refugee
According to Ashod Paloulian, life is like a tennis match: you have to fight for every point and, if you lose one, you just have to try again. Both this analogy and this attitude toward life describe well this 33-year-old Syrian father of two who, only nine months after landing in Australia as a refugee, is already working as a tennis coach with the support of Ignite Small Business Start-ups.
Ability Links NSW connects family with accessible solutions
Jasmine was born with Spina Bifida and as a consequence her parents had always been very protective towards her. However, soon after she turned 12, Jasmine's parents felt their support wasn’t enough and that the situation had become too overwhelming to continue on their own.
What a Syrian refugee has accomplished after four months in Australia
Samira Maksoud has a talent for languages. Despite having been in Australia for only four months, Ms Maksoud has already found a job thanks to her language skills, which span Arabic, English, Turkish and Armenian.
Women find harmony in poetry, music and dance
Over 350 women from across Sydney and communities worldwide attended the second annual Women of Diversity Dinner in Bankstown on July 29 — over 50 of them having been in our community less than six months.
SSI supports grassroots community partners in disability inclusion
Diversity and inclusion were at the heart of SSI’s recent collaboration with a colourful celebration of the culture of Iraq.
SSI secures new refugee settlement contract
Settlement Services International (SSI) will provide settlement services to refugees and humanitarian entrants under the new Humanitarian Settlement Program (HSP), continuing its long-term work in this area. In Canberra today, the Australian Government announced SSI was successful in two of the 11 newly defined contract regions across Australia: Sydney and NSW Regional, which covers northern NSW.