Interest blossoms into a career for carpenter seeking asylum
Participating in an inclusive community garden project has given a young man seeking asylum the skills to turn his interest in carpentry into a career.
From job-seeker to employment with SSI Employment Services
One of the best ways to excel at your job is to start from the bottom and work your way up. Chris Blackwell, Team Assistant with SSI Employment Services, knows this very well. He can quickly identify the uncertainty and tiredness on the face of job-seekers the first day they arrive at the Campsie warehouse where SSI Jobactive operates some of its Work for the Dole (WFD) programs. Only six months ago, he was one of them.
Settlement Services International supports Premier’s Harmony Dinner
Settlement Services International (SSI) is proud to sponsor the 2016 Premier’s Harmony Dinner, and support the celebration of cultural diversity in NSW. SSI is a community-based, not-for-profit humanitarian organisation providing a range of services in the areas of humanitarian settlement, accommodation, asylum seeker assistance, multicultural foster care, disability support and employment services in NSW.
From the CEO – SSI-Allianz partnership means new arrivals are assured of opportunity
Recently, SSI’s General Manager Peter Zographakis gave a keynote presentation, accompanied by an editorial, about the need for not-for-profits to diversify and build strong partnerships if they are to remain sustainable and prosper. This week we were proud to announce the culmination of months of friendly negotiations that resulted in one such partnership with insurer Allianz Australia.
Music helps heal past traumas
The 2015 program of the SSI Community Music Program for refugees and asylum seekers living within the community began in the last week of February. The sessions, which are based on creative music therapy, are facilitated by a registered music therapist (RMT) from Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy Australia.
Ignite a Social Innovations Award finalist
SSI was a finalist in the 2014 Macquarie Social Innovation Awards, granted by the Macquarie Group Foundation to foster social innovation in the not-for-profit sector. The winner of the 2014 award was the WA-based Fogarty Foundation which focuses on innovative programs and initiatives that advance education, was announced on November 19.
STARTTS annual Refugee Ball
The 6th annual STARTTS Refugee Ball was held on October 23, at Cockle Bay Wharf, and was enthusiastically supported by SSI staff. The ball raises much needed funds for the NSW Service for the Treatment and Rehabilitation of Torture and Trauma Survivors (STARTTS).