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An evaluation by consultants Urbis prepared for the NSW Department of Family and Community Services found that ALNSW contributed significantly to improving peoples’ lives and returned an economic benefit to the community of $3 for every dollar spent.

ALNSW is delivered by Settlement Services International (SSI) in partnership with Uniting and Vincent de Paul across 44 Local Government Areas by 60 ‘Linkers’.

SSI Chief Operations Officer Stephen O’Neill said ALNSW was contributing to a significant shift in attitudes towards inclusion of people with disabilities, particularly in culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities.

“Our bicultural and bilingual Linkers are accessing communities that have long been underrepresented and under utilising the support services available to them – both within the disability sector and other mainstream services,” Mr O’Neill said.

The Urbis report found that linking people to community and services has a profound effect on the quality of people’s lives and that people who have come into contact with the program are now actively engaged with and contributing to the community.

It also found that people from CALD communities have responded very positively to the program’s flexible, person-centred approach.

“So many of our participants tell us that having a Linker from the same cultural background or who speaks the same language has really helped them out of difficult and challenging circumstances, and facilitated the support they’ve needed,” Mr O’Neill said.

Since its launch in 2014, SSI Ability Links NSW has supported over 8,000 individuals and families across Metro North, Metro South and Southern NSW, and made over 80,000 community connections.

Mr O’Neill said given the reported success of the program, he hoped Ability Links would continue into the future as part of, or alongside the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

“With such strong evidence that Ability Links provides value for money and generates significant social and economic benefits for both the broader community and Government, we see a strong future for this program,” he said.

“The work of Ability Links is already diverting some people away from funded supports and improving the capacity of individuals and communities; this will help support the sustainability of the NDIS.”

Ability Links NSW is a State Government program that supports people with disability, their families and carers to connect with their local community, achieve their goals and aspirations and live enriched and fulfilled lives.

To find your local SSI Linker contact (02) 8713 9200 or email us at abilitylinks@ssi.org.au

Read the full report here.

Media enquiries

SSI Communications
Rekha Sanghi 0422 304 578
Anna Vilalta 0488 680 240

Most of the claims relate to the Fairfield LGA, one of eight areas where SSI delivers the Humanitarian Settlement Program in the Sydney metropolitan area. The HSS is funded by the Federal Government.

SSI is keen to clarify several key points being repeated in the media, often without substantiation or citing of sources. In some cases where sources are offered, correct data has been used to extrapolate incorrect conclusions.

This is an attempt to sort fact from fiction.

Syrian refugee arrivals claim 1:

More than 6,000 refugees from the Federal Government’s special Syrian humanitarian intake have been settled in Fairfield.

Facts:

Syrian refugee arrivals claim 2

The Fairfield property market has become unaffordable, with demand outpacing supply. The median rent for a unit is about $500 a week.

Facts:

Syrian refugee arrivals claim 3

Fairfield is struggling to settle refugees after a huge influx of new arrivals

Facts:

About SSI

SSI is a community-based, not-for-profit humanitarian organisation providing a range of services in the areas of humanitarian settlement, housing, asylum seeker assistance, multicultural foster care, disability support and employment services in NSW.

Media enquiries

SSI Corporate Communications Manager, Angela Calabrese 0401 284 828

SSI Communications Assistant, Hannah Gartrell, 0488 680 287

Covering a range of workshops and panel discussions, the symposium also featured a keynote address from NSW Australian of the Year Deng Adut, who shared his thoughts on education and his path to success as a renowned lawyer.

“Education opens the door to opportunities,” Mr Adut said. “It’s the only way you can make change and be the person you want to be. Self-education holds the key to enlightenment and has the power to improve humanity — that’s what we should celebrate.”

Addressing an audience of over 100 multicultural youth, Mr Adut also encouraged young people to work hard and embrace diversity in Australia.

“If you want to make change, be the person you want to be, but don’t discriminate and give back to humanity,” Mr Adut said. “Expand your mind, and work on yourself.”

SSI Youth Projects Coordinator Dor Achiek said the event provided a unique opportunity for young people from multicultural backgrounds to build critical skills and networks to support their future career path.

“Young people from multicultural backgrounds face many barriers to education,” Mr Achiek said. “English is often not their first language; Australian education systems are unfamiliar to them; and it can be overwhelming to adjust to cultural differences while they’re still defining their identity in Australia.”

“The 20 Voices Youth Symposium on Education sets the foundations for youth to identify goals, learn from others, and map a path for their future with the support of others. It enables them to consider what they want to achieve in life, and work towards their goals by accessing the appropriate services and support.

“Refugee and migrant youth deliver so much vitality and energy to our communities. They are inspirational entrepreneurs and budding community leaders, and it’s critical they receive the support they need to secure their path to success.”

Held at the Fairfield Youth and Community Centre, the 20 Voices Youth Symposium on Education featured a live music performance, inspirational speeches from former refugees, and workshops covering a range of topics such as career planning and how to access academic and social support in the education system.

Participants also learned about SSI’s Youth@Work mentoring program for refugee and migrant youth, and had the opportunity to meet new friends in a welcoming environment.

 

Youth Collective

From Bangladesh, Ms Khatoon (Wiley Park) came to Australia with her two children to join her husband. She lacked confidence because she believed her English skills weren’t good enough to find a job. After 12 months with SSI jobactive, participating in an SSI social enterprise and completing a variety of courses, Ms Khatoon is thrilled to have found her first job.

“I feel fantastic, and my manager and work colleagues are really lovely and we are a great team,” said Ms Khatoon.

SSI Employment and Enterprise Manager Terry Wilson said that SSI’s innovative social enterprises and recruitment service had helped almost 2000 people find work in the past financial year, including people of migrant and refugee background and people seeking asylum.

“We are very proud of the work being done by SSI Employment and our social enterprises that help jobseekers get work experience in fields as diverse as marketing, cooking, packaging, warehousing and retail,” Mr Wilson said.

“The time they spend with us not only gives them experience in a realistic work environment, it also helps improve the life skills they need to keep a job, such as punctuality, self-confidence and reliability.”

Ms Rigas (Bexley North) owned her own business in Greece and was very anxious about whether she would find work in a new country when she arrived just 10 months ago.

“I have always worked; work is very important to me but, because I am older, I thought it would be difficult for me to find work,” she said.

“But after just two months with SSI I got this job with Foodie Fee and I am so happy.”

Ms Khatoon and Ms Rigas are both employed with Foodie Fee (Arncliffe), an organic healthy snack business owned by Fiona Herron.

Ms Herron approached SSI because she particularly wanted to employ someone of migrant or refugee background.

Ms Herron said she wanted to help people who had recently arrived and needed employment opportunities to give them a head start.

“Part of my philosophy is for people to use their hands in their work and I’m hoping to build a business that will create work opportunities in an environment where there are fewer jobs due to machines and robots,” she said.

“As a small business you run around doing a lot of job descriptions, so when I was ready to employ someone, it was really easy to find staff through SSI.”

Ms Herron also really appreciated the food handling course that SSI organised for Ms Khatoom and Ms Rigas to complete before they commenced employment.

“It saved me time and money by the ladies having this certification already before starting work with us,” she said.

SSI Employment, based in Campsie, delivers jobactive as a CoAct member in the Sydney East Metro.

 

Media enquiries

SSI Communications Coordinator Rekha Sanghi 0422 304 578

To be held at the Parkroyal Parramatta from November 3–4, the conference will host speakers including:

Also addressing the conference will be Renata Kaldor AO, the co-founder of the Andrew and Renata Kaldor Centre for International Refugee Law.

Speaking ahead of the conference, Ms Kaldor said: “Migration for women is more complex than for men. More often than not, women migrate because of the wishes of their husbands – not necessarily because they want to leave their country of birth. This makes their journey and settlement so much more difficult.”

The inaugural National Multicultural Women’s Conference is the outcome of a partnership between Settlement Services International (SSI) and the Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA), with support from Ethnic Communities’ Council of NSW.

SSI CEO Violet Roumeliotis said the conference would facilitate a lively and productive dialogue about the unique lived experiences of multicultural women, with the aim of influencing a shift in how women are supported and recognised in Australia.

“Women from diverse backgrounds contribute so much vitality, talent and enthusiasm to our communities. They are nurturing mothers, inspirational leaders and talented entrepreneurs, and yet the challenges and opportunities they face are often unique from their male counterparts,” she said.

“The National Multicultural Women’s Conference will provide a unique platform to share perspectives, innovations and approaches affecting women, and drive further collaboration and change across sectors.”

“The conference will provide an opportunity for sharing knowledge, informing the national agenda, and recognising and celebrating the outstanding contribution that women from diverse backgrounds make to our society”, said FECCA Women’s Chair Hina Durrani. “We are looking forward to an interesting and informative two days.”

Media enquiries:

SSI Communications Coordinator, Louise Wallace, 0488 680 255

Centred on the theme ‘we share our future’, Walk Together in Sydney will begin at Belmore Park at 11am. There will be speeches from prominent Australians including:

The crowd will make its way to Victoria Park for a family-friendly festival that will include multicultural food, music, dance, stalls, and an appearance from special guests the Sydney Thunder and GWS Giants.

SSI CEO Violet Roumeliotis said Walk Together was an opportunity for all Australians to show they appreciated our country’s diversity and all the benefits it offered.

“Australia is a diverse nation, shaped by our Indigenous first people and the generations of migrants who subsequently have made their homes here. That diversity is a strength; we’re a more vibrant and rich society for it.

“Participating in simple acts, like walking together, shows that we are curious about our neighbours and those who are different to us. It shows that we don’t just notice our differences – we celebrate them.”

Welcome to Australia CEO Mohammad Al-Khafaji said: “Right now, where there is fear mongering and division, it is more important than ever that we promote unity, respect and inclusion towards all in our community. We must work towards a community which rejects racism, and celebrates our inclusive multicultural nation.

“Walk Together is our opportunity to call out the best in Australians to come together and support refugees and new arrivals, and to stand with them, and say welcome. We have more in common than that which divides us.”

 

Media enquiries:

SSI Communications Assistant, Hannah Gartrell, 0488 680 287

The event, which is organised by Settlement Services International (SSI), Youth Collective and Auburn Diversity Services Inc, has attracted more than 250 participants, including a large contingent of newly arrived young people from refugee and asylum seeker backgrounds.

SSI Youth Projects Coordinator Dor Akech Achiek said, “MY Kitchen Rocks creates a relaxed, fun environment for newly arrived young people to meet their peers and make new community connections over food, music and sports. With the games, giveaways and activities, it’s a great chance for participants to unwind and just enjoy being young.”

Mr Achiek said all of the work SSI does with young refugees and people seeking asylum is designed to build their confidence, resilience and self-empowerment.

“The young people we work with have unique skills, ideas and experiences that can greatly benefit our country. They do, however, need extra support to overcome challenges their Australia-born peers do not face, such as language barriers and issues over identity and culture,” he said.

“Events such as MY Kitchen Rocks are a good way to help multicultural young people engage with their local community and make friends with other youth who have experienced similar situations to themselves.”

MY Kitchen Rocks will take place at Auburn Centre for Community from 11am to 2pm on Wednesday October 5 as part of SSI’s regular Community Kitchen event.

 

Media enquiries:

SSI Communications Assistant Hannah Gartrell 0488 680 287 or 02 8799 6740

Mr Turnbull’s commitment to provide a further $130 million to support peace-building and assistance to displaced people; and resettling refugees currently residing in Costa Rica, are also very positive outcomes from the Leaders’ Summit on Refugees in New York. 

With conflicts continuing unabated in many parts of the world, we can not just standby and watch as the number of displaced people and refugees continues to grow. I’m very proud that Australia is continuing a long tradition of providing a new home for the displaced and war weary.

We have to put aside comments by those who focus on the negative and conflate terrorists with refugees; this creates fear and doubt in people’s minds towards to men, women and children in their hour of need.

Hearing those voices of fear in our community is disappointing, particularly in light of the very successful settlement experience of around 700,000 refugees since the end of World War II. SSI will continue to counter these voices with the many positive stories of integration and social cohesion that organisations like ours encounter every day.

Some people may also try to criticise refugees by claiming they are over-reliant on welfare payments, however, those claims are not supported by the medium and long-term analysis.

More than 30 per cent of all refugees supported by SSI in NSW over the 12 months to August 31 found paid employment within their first year in Australia. Almost 70 started businesses.

All of our evidence shows that people arriving in Australia as refugees integrate well and contribute greatly to Australia’s cultural life and economy. We look forward to welcoming all who come and supporting them to overcome their past experience and make the most of their new opportunities.

Violet Roumeliotis
SSI CEO

Media Enquiries

SSI Manager Corporate Communications Angela Calabrese, Ph: 0401 284 828

SSI Online Communications Coordinator Callan Lawrence, Ph: 0478 156 491

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Forty-six scholarships, ranging from $500 to $5,000, will be offered in five categories, including primary and secondary school, vocational training, tertiary qualification and skills recognition.

SSI CEO Violet Roumeliotis said that from her experience, as supported by research, refugees who settle in Australia have a high motivation to work but this didn’t automatically lead to employment.

“Refugees who lack Australian work experience, affordable options for the recognition of their skills and qualifications, and limited access to English language tuition, face barriers in the employment market,” Ms Roumeliotis said.

“The SSI Allianz Scholarships will reduce the financial barriers experienced by refugees as they participate in the NSW education system.”

Allianz Australia’s Managing Director, Niran Peiris said he was proud to help refugees receive an education and contribute to business.

“This scholarship program is about offering the support and opportunity for refugees to really make a difference at school, work and in the community.

“This scholarship reflects Allianz’s absolute commitment to diversity. We know that a diverse workforce is a better workforce.”

Earlier this year Allianz recruited nine new employees from Syria, Jordan, Lebanon and Vietnam, who came to Australia as refugees, asylum seekers and migrants.

“As I said at the start of this partnership, Allianz and SSI both have a vision of playing a key support role in the community in the areas of education, employment and addressing social justice issues,” Ms Roumeliotis said.

“Today, I’m proud of what that partnership has achieved so far, which is a new future for the new Allianz recruits and, through these scholarships, 46 more people will be given the opportunity that education offers,” Ms Roumeliotis added.

For more information and application forms, please go to:

ssi.org.au/scholarships

Application forms for each category can be downloaded from the category page. The application deadline is October 31, 2016, with successful applicants being notified in December.

For more information and interview opportunities, contact:

Allianz

Elise Marley-Wallace
Public Relations and Social Media Manager
Market Management
Allianz Australia Insurance Ltd | 2 Market St, Sydney NSW 2000
Ph: +61 2 8258 5747 | Fax +61 2 9390 6676 | Mobile 0406751336
Email: elise.marley-wallace@allianz.com.au

Allianz – Employer of Choice for Gender Equality 2014 – 2015
Allianz – Employer of Choice for Women (EOWA) 2009 – 2013

Settlement Services International

Angela Calabrese
Executive Manager
Corporate Communications
Settlement Services International
Ph: +61 2 8799 6700 I Mobile 0401 284 828
Email: acalabrese@ssi.org.au

About SSI

SSI is a community-based, not-for-profit organisation providing a range of services in the areas of humanitarian settlement, housing, asylum seeker assistance, foster care, disability support and employment services in NSW.

About Allianz Australia

Allianz Australia delivers a wide range of personal, commercial and corporate insurance products and services to more than 3 million policyholders. Over 50% of Australia’s top 200 BRW-listed companies have some form of insurance cover with the group and the group provides workers compensation services to around one-fifth of Australian employees.

Large General Insurance Company of the Year 2016, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2009*
Best General Insurance Company of the Year 2014, 2012, 2010, 2007, 2006**
Workplace Gender Equality Award 2015, 2014
Women’s Council Employer of the Year Award 2013

*Australia & New Zealand Insurance Industry Awards **Australian Banking and Finance Insurance Awards

As part of an extensive orientation program, SSI provides refugees and people seeking asylum with information about policing in Australia.

However, some new arrivals remain fearful of police officers stemming from experiences in their home countries, which can affect interactions between the two parties, SSI CEO Violet Roumeliotis said.

“In 2013, we had a similar roundtable event with the NSW Police Force, and what came out of that was a wonderful initiative called ‘Coffee with a Cop’, where a uniformed officer engages with an asylum seeker or refugee on that human level, which at the end of the day is what we all desire – to be seen as a human and not as a label or a uniform,” Ms Roumeliotis said.

“These sorts of initiatives are what come out of opportunities to discuss very human issues, like this roundtable. We can collectively put our heads together and achieve great outcomes.”

NSW Police Superintendent Peter Lennon, Commander of the Fairfield Local Area Command, said these opportunities were vital for both the Police Force and the community.

“You can’t put a value on how important these informal discussions are. They are certainly beneficial to our officers as I hope they are to the community, including the workers who support refugees and people seeking asylum. A number of settlement issues where police and service providers can cooperate to the benefit of refugees and asylum seekers were discussed,” Superintendent Lennon said.

“It is equally important that refugees and asylum seekers transition as smoothly as possible from being new arrivals to established members of the community.

“We recognise that being in a new country, with no or few friends or family is difficult and we’re here to assure you that police officers are your friends and we can all work together for a safer community.”

Over the course of the day, more than 60 participants from the police force and settlement sector worked through real-life scenarios where refugees or people seeking asylum might encounter police, with the aim of helping all participants to feel better equipped to jointly respond to such scenarios and achieve better outcomes for vulnerable new arrivals.

Media enquiries:

SSI Communications Assistant, Hannah Gartrell, 02 8799 6740 or 0488 680 287