Mr Baluchzada took out the top spot on Pro Bono Australia’s 2016 Impact 25 – a list of the most influential figures in the social sector as decided by more than 18,500 votes.
“It was quite surprising for me that I made the list and it really gave me a lot of energy to focus and give more to the community,” he said. “Seeing the people that have been on the list in previous years, they’re all so influential. For example, our CEO Violet Roumeliotis, Rosie Batty, Tim Costello, Penny Wong – they’re all such great and well-known people.”
Mr Baluchzada works as a team leader in SSI’s Humanitarian Support Services program and is in the process of completing his masters in human services. It was his experience of coming to Australia as a new migrant that inspired him to achieve everything he has.
In Afghanistan Mr Baluchzada was a qualified engineer but upon migrating to Australia in August 2010 to join his wife, Khadija, he discovered that no employers recognised his overseas qualifications and experience.
“I got a job as a traffic controller, and on my first day, I worked a 12-hour shift,” he said. “I was standing the whole time, I didn’t get breaks and wasn’t able to stop to eat properly, so it was exhausting. When I went home that night, I was disappointed. Back home, I was well established and recognised.
“On that night, I said to myself, ‘Romal, you can do it – you can prove yourself, you can build yourself again, and you will contribute in positive changes in Australian society’. That’s why I decided to move forward. I started researching more about my passion for human rights, and I found that Australia is a country full of opportunities.
“I decided to change my career because I wanted to put aside resolving mathematical issues and come to resolving social issues.
“Fortunately, I found SSI. I applied and began working as a bilingual guide in 2011. SSI has given me the opportunity and recognised my strengths, experience and abilities.”
Mr Baluchzada was soon promoted to a case manager and then a team leader. At the same time, he completed a diploma in community services, then one in case management, before moving on to university, where he acquired a degree in human services and began his masters.
“I’m inspired by all the frustration and the challenges I faced coming here,” he said. “I don’t want other people who come to Australia with qualifications to give up. They shouldn’t just rely on labouring and government benefits. I want to inspire and encourage those people, and to share my experience.”
Not content with devoting his professional life to supporting vulnerable communities, Mr Baluchzada also began a radio show on 2SER where he discussed human rights and ways to engage the community in discussions about them.
“For refugees and migrants, I really want to inspire them, I really want to give them energy and show that Australia is a country full of opportunities but it depends on how individuals use those opportunity,” he said.
“SSI is a wonderful organisation that creates a lot of opportunities for everyone. I would like to thank my CEO, my program manager, and my coordinators, because they are the ones that really supported me in every step. They guided me. I also want to convey my appreciation to all HSS team members. They are doing an amazing job.
“I believe that this award that has been given to me belongs to all my colleagues and all my friends. I don’t want to accept this as an individual achievement because I didn’t get the achievement by myself. It was all as a team, all my organisation, all my friends and my family.”
The annual Children’s Christmas Party in December was enjoyed by kids from all corners of the world who have come to Australia with their families in search of safety. The celebrations included face painting, balloon twisting, a reptile zoo, sports, arts and crafts, and a special appearance from Santa himself.
Adding to the fun of the day was a performance from a magician who was himself supported by SSI on arrival to Australia and now runs a magic business established with the assistance of SSI’s Ignite Small Business Start-ups initiative, which facilitates business creation for people from refugee backgrounds.
The families and children also enjoyed a Christmas lunch generously provided by Sydney restaurant Almond Bar, which is run by sisters and regular Community Kitchen supporters Sharon and Carol Salloum.
SSI CEO Violet Roumeliotis said the festivities gave newly arrived families and children the opportunity to build new community connections, which helped them to adjust to life in Australia.
“At SSI, we provide the essential practical support to help new arrivals begin their lives in Australia,” she said, “but we also realise the need for new arrivals to feel welcomed in their community, which sets the tone for their future in Australia and helps to improve feelings of community connectedness, confidence and personal wellbeing.
“There is a strong community in Australia that’s willing to offer friendship and welcome, and Christmas is a great chance to highlight that support.”
Ms Roumeliotis said the Christmas season at SSI was made extra special thanks to the generosity of SSI volunteers and supporters including Lindt, Anglicare, Wesley Mission Australia Ministry & Mission, Hillsong Church, Ferrero Rocher, Bethlehem College, Uniting Church Blacktown, Naima, Aqua Fit, the Grange Public School, Supersonics and Friends, Orchard Marketing, the Salvation Army and Nathaniel Bennet.
“These kinds of celebrations wouldn’t be possible without the food, gifts, supplies and time donated in order to offer a warm welcome to our new community members. Thank you to everyone who made this wonderful day possible,” she said.
Virginia Willie has been supported by ParentsNext to prepare for employment.
ParentsNext is an Australian government initiative delivered by SSI and Metro Assist to help parents prepare for employment by the time their youngest child reaches school age. Aware that many parents take time out of the paid workforce to raise their children, ParentsNext staff work with them to identify goals, develop skills and overcome any barriers, so that they can enter the workforce again or for the first time.
Ms Willie, a mother-of-two, said at first she did not fully understand why she was referred by Centrelink to SSI ParentsNext and neither did she have very high expectations of what she would get out of it.
“The day of my first appointment, my anxiety was so bad I couldn’t even take the lift to go up to the ParentsNext offices, so I had to walk up the emergency stairs with my daughter,” Ms Willie said. “I actually had an attack during the meeting, as well, because I couldn’t stand to be out of home in unfamiliar environments.”
Ms Willie remembers how friendly and welcoming the staff were and how they helped her calm down and go ahead with the meeting. They talked about Ms Willie’s past experience, her goals and dreams, and they set up a date for the second appointment.
“The first impression I had was good, but due to previous experiences with other job network service providers, I didn’t think there was going to be much follow-up after that,” she said.
“Imagine my surprise when I attended the second meeting and they had a plan tailored and ready for me, which actually included the things I had mentioned in the first meeting I was interested in.”
The feeling of being listened to and taken into account had an immediate effect on Ms Willie, who slowly started rebuilding her self-esteem and believing in herself again.
“Seeing that someone believed in me encouraged me to continue and keep attending the sessions and courses that ParentsNext suggested for me,” Ms Willie said.
As part of her participation plan, Ms Willie completed a Certificate 4 in Community Services at TAFE that she hopes it will lead her to a job where she’ll be able to support women who have experienced domestic violence. This year, Ms Willie will continue to study a Diploma in Community Services also at TAFE.
“ParentsNext has had a great impact on my life, even my family and friends have noticed how much I’ve changed and they’ve even asked me how they can access the service,” said Ms Willie.
“The program has helped me overcome my anxiety and now I can take the lift everywhere I go, and even eat in and enjoy public places, which was impossible before. I’m really happy and ready to take on many new challenges from now on.”
Hope, tolerance and harmony were celebrated at the Diwali 2016 Cultural Exchange.
It featured Bollywood performances, Zumba, a Punjabi dance, craft activities for children, cultural games and a picnic lunch.
Elfa Moraitakis, Chief Executive Officer of SydWest Multicultural Services, launched the event, saying what a great opportunity it was for everyone gathered in the grounds of the school to celebrate Diwali and have the opportunity to learn about the traditions and the norms of the person next to them.
“In our beautiful multicultural Australia, where a lot of people before us fought tooth and nail for harmony and acceptance and where today we see the spark of ridiculous racist outbursts, it is important to keep teaching our kids that this earth is our home and we are all residents, all equals,” she said.
“We’re also carrying rich cultures and traditions and we have so much to learn from each other.”
Sonia Kalsi, Team Leader: Women and Families in the Community Engagement Division of SydWest Multicultural Services, welcomed the families who attended, explaining that Diwali was a festival of lights and sweetness celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs and Jains.
The Diwali festival lasted for five days with a festival of lights taking place on the third day, she said.
Each faith had its own beliefs and legends associated with Diwali but all were founded on the celebration of light over darkness, good over evil, truth over falsity.
Families gathered to feast and exchange gifts during Diwali. Houses were decorated with candles and colourful lights.
In many countries large firework displays were held and food and sweets were a major part of the festival. Families shared food together as well as giving to those in need.
“In contemporary society Diwali is a celebration of hope, tolerance and harmony in our community,” Ms Kalsi said.
Inspired by their parents’ experience migrating to Australia from Syria more than 40 years ago, the Salloum sisters have also been working with SSI to use their well-established networks in the hospitality industry to identify ways to connect refugees with training and jobs in Australia.
For the final Community Kitchen of 2016, head chef Sharon led a team of volunteers in serving up a barbecue feast with a Syrian twist.
On the menu was grilled chicken, flatbread, corn marinated in pomegranate butter, potato salad, kafta – barbecued meatballs – and fattoush – a green salad served with mixed vegetables and fried bread.
Fattoush
Ingredients:
4 leaves iceberg lettuce
2 medium tomatoes
1 Lebanese cucumber
½ green capsicum
½ red capsicum
½ Spanish onion
½ cup flat leaf parsley chopped
1 packet toasted pita bread or loaf of Middle Eastern bread (khobz)
½ cup ba’li leaves (or cress)
2 tbsp sumac
1 tsp sweet paprika
4 tbsp fresh lemon juice
4 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp salt
2 garlic cloves crushed
Method:
- Roughly pull apart lettuce.
- Cut tomatoes into eighths.
- Quarter the whole cucumber then cut into 1cm pieces.
- Cut the red and green capsicum into 2cm squares.
- Slice the onion.
- Place all vegetables in a bowl.
- To make the dressing, mix the sumac, paprika, lemon juice, salt, olive oil & garlic in a small bowl.
- Pour the dressing evenly over the vegetables and toss until mixed through. Add more sumac and/or lemon, if desired.
Community Hubs at Rydalmere and Greenacre celebrate the contribution grandparents make to families.
At Rydalmere’s Grandparents Day morning tea, students, grandparents and their senior citizen friends enjoyed painting and creating DIY coasters.
At Banksia Road, Greenacre, grandparents, seniors, parents and children were entertained by dancing and singing from Banksia Road students. They enjoyed morning tea and lunch, received door prizes, visited information stalls and received health checks.
Grandparents also had the opportunity to visit classrooms.
“The day was an important reminder of the integral role our grandparents play in our lives,” said NSW Community Hubs Manager Fatima Kourouche.
“There are many demands placed on grandparents these days,” she said. “With the rising costs of living, many grandparents have to stay in the workforce for longer periods. Those who are not working are pressured by their children to support with childcare.”
Ms Kourouche said grandparents played a critical part in their grandchildren’s lives.
“This is a special time to celebrate the support and contribution made by grandparents to their families,” she said.
Banksia Road Principal Hamish Woudsma welcomed visitors to the school and expressed his appreciation for the way the Banksia Road Community Hub promoted a positive school culture.
The Community Hubs program is a national program working with local communities and governments to support refugees and new migrants as they achieve independence and become active community members.
SSI is the designated support agency for Community Hubs in NSW, where Hubs are located at primary schools in Parramatta, Bankstown and Blacktown local government areas.
The NSW Community Hubs Team gathers for its 2016 annual meeting.
Joining the Hub leaders and principals from the 12 NSW Community Hubs were Community Hubs Australia CEO, Sonja Hood; Multicultural Education and Community Relations Advisor with the Department of Education, Rebecca Stuart; SSI Manager – Strategic Policy Astrid Perry; SSI Settlement Services Manager, Loukia Zinopoulos; NSW Community Hubs Manager, Fatima Kourouche; and SSI Senior Project Manager, Thanh Nguyen.
Notable achievements in 2016 included:
- 429 sessions to engage pre-school aged children
- 289 language literacy programs
- 45 community events
- 322 health and lifestyle programs
- 98 formal training classes
- 95 informal training sessions
- 985 volunteers supporting the 12 hubs
- 1400 referrals made to local organisations
- families coming from 52 different backgrounds
- almost 8000 families engaged across the 12 hubs
The National Community Hubs program is expected to grow from 39 Hubs to 70 in 2017. This expansion is the result of Federal and State governments providing extra funding to support the program’s growth across NSW, QLD and Victoria.
The Community Hubs program has been recognised for making an immense impact on families in those three states, in particular to newly arrived refugees and migrant families.
Hub leaders and principals were presented with trophies to acknowledge their contribution and tireless work throughout the year.
Googlers Wendy Glasgow, Nap Lara, (SSI Champion) Doug Abdiel, Matt Pretel and SSI Partnerships and Fundraising Manager Naushin Rahman.
The multinational technology company, which supports non-profits in their efforts to tackle society’s greatest challenges and make communities stronger, matches Google staff donations to non-profits they love.
This month SSI was one of five charities selected for Google’s annual Give Week.
With the support and encouragement of Google’s SSI champion Doug Abdiel — who made a significant personal donation — 20 Google volunteers joined SSI’s fundraising team on December 7, collecting donations as the Googlers arrived at cafes in Google’s Sydney offices for breakfast, lunch and coffee breaks.
An added incentive was samples of Aunty’s Ginger Tonic, produced by Ignite start-up entrepreneur and former refugee Yarie Bangura.
Ms Bangura spoke to Google employees about her small business on November 25, so they were well aware of the tonic’s benefits as well as how their donations could support the Ignite initiative, and help refugees start their own businesses in Australia.
Ignite Small Business Start-ups supports budding entrepreneurs from refugee backgrounds to overcome the challenges of starting a business in Australia. Through this initiative, entrepreneurs become independent and self-sufficient and create employment for others.
Ignite taps into the existing skills, knowledge and experience that refugees bring and supports them to navigate and succeed in the complex Australian business environment.
Entrepreneurs are assisted by an Ignite enterprise facilitator, who establishes a system of resource support around the entrepreneur, including industry experts, marketing professionals, financial managers, mentors and others.
To date, Ignite has seen more than 240 entrepreneurs and helped establish 58 business start-ups.
Naushin Rahman, SSI’s Partnerships and Fundraising Manager, said Google’s Give Week was an amazing opportunity to engage and fundraise with Google staff.
“We are simply blown away by the generosity and enthusiasm of the Googlers!,” she said. “And also by Google matching the donations.”
Ms Rahman said she was amazed by the passion of the Googlers who took time out to volunteer for SSI on the day and by Mr Abdiel, whose motivational email and all-round support (and cow costume) had a huge impact.
Ignite Small Business Start-ups
Allianz volunteers serving food at SSI Community Kitchen.
Allianz employee Alexandra Ryan, who has been with Allianz since 2013, was among those to volunteer her time to join SSI for a Community Kitchen lunch at the Auburn Centre for the Community.
“I am proud of the partnership that Allianz has with SSI, so when I had the chance to spend my community day at the Auburn Centre for the Community, I saw it as an opportunity to better understand the partnership and the impact it is having on the community,” Ms Ryan said.
Joined by a team of Allianz employees, Ms Ryan spent the day working in the kitchen and setting up the community lunch room, teaching and playing sports, laying pavers for the giant chess board and building new wooden garden beds for the Friendship garden.
Allianz staff volunteers laying a garden bed at the Friendship Garden.
The team had the opportunity to meet local refugees and asylum seekers and hear their stories including the daily challenges and hardships they faced before moving to Australia.
“I really enjoyed meeting the local people and hearing about the lives they led before they relocated to Australia – I cannot believe the adversity that so many of these people have faced,” Ms Ryan said.
“Australia is a lucky country and sometimes we take for granted the freedom that we are afforded. I was so pleased to be able to share in the day and to support those who have come to this amazing country searching for a better life for themselves and their families.”
“I feel very strongly about the important role Australia can play in today’s world. I am very proud of Allianz’s partnership with SSI and how we are transforming the lives of so many people.”
Allianz staff members preparing to serve food to refugees and people seeking asylum.
In early 2016, Allianz partnered with SSI to establish Allianz’s Sustainable Employment Program, which provides new career opportunities and support for refugees and migrants who have settled in Australia.
By August 2016, the partnership had expanded to include sponsoring the Allianz and SSI Education Scholarships as well sponsoring a number of SSI’s community kitchen lunches.
You can find out more about how Allianz is supporting SSI through its employment program and education scholarship program.
Allianz has generously sponsored the costs of three SSI Community Kitchen events in 2016.
SSI has partnered with Thrive Refugee Enterprise, which aims to support the entrepreneurial spirit of refugees by providing microfinancing and mentoring support to aspiring business owners from refugee backgrounds.
Eligible applicants can access loans for resources and tools, in addition to a range of support with education and professional accreditation.
As part of the new partnership, SSI will put forward eligible applicants and provide Thrive with a range of administrative support. SSI CEO Violet Roumeliotis sits on the charity’s Board as a founding director.
“ABS figures show refugees have the highest entrepreneurial potential of all streams in our migration program, but they face challenges in terms of experience and financial capital when starting their own business,” Ms Roumeliotis said.
“Giving new arrivals access to financial business support earlier in the settlement process has a range of benefits. It supports refugees to integrate into the community, enables them to build on their entrepreneurial skills, and helps them to achieve economic independence while maximising their contribution to the economy.”
Thrive was co-founded by a trio of business veterans: philanthropists John and Anna Curtis, and former refugee Huy Truong. Mr Curtis is currently chair of Allianz Australia and the former deputy chair of Westpac Banking and chair of St George Bank, while Ms Curtis has been on the boards of IAG and Country Road. Experienced entrepreneur Mr Truong is currently CEO and co-owner of the Australian Life Insurance Group.
“This partnership is in line with SSI’s focus on nurturing entrepreneurial potential in the refugee community,” Ms Roumeliotis said. “We have been pioneers in the space through the Ignite Small Business Start-ups initiative, which facilitates small business creation for people from refugee backgrounds who want to start their own business or expand an existing one,” Ms Roumeliotis said.
Initially, Thrive will operate in NSW and later Victoria with scope for a national rollout in the future to further support the economic contribution of refugee entrepreneurs across the country.